Spring: The Cross February Sun 7AtonementLeviticus 16 Sun 14Take up crossMark 8 Sun 21Lifted upJohn 3 Sun 28Laying downJohn 10 March Sun 6Making PeaceColossians 1 Sun 13Dying to SinRomans 6 Sun 20Suffering ServantLuke 22 Thu 24The Lamb of GodExodus 12 Fri 25Words from the crossLuke/John

Take up your cross and follow me What is it to follow Jesus? Who might want to kill us, and why?

Following Jesus 1) Loving enemies Matthew5:44 Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you Centurian’s servant Judas Iscariot, Zacchaeus, Nicodemus …

Following Jesus 2) Confronting Injustice Matthew5:39 But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 If anyone sues you to take away your outer garment, let him have your inner garment also. 41 Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Luke11:42 But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, but you bypass justice and the love of God. … you love the best seats in the synagogues

Following Jesus 3) Laying down self Luke 9:51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'“ John 13:14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.

Who would want to kill those who love enemies, confront injustice & deny self? Those who abuse power Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, was exceedingly angry, and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem Those who have settled for second best John2:14 Jesus found in the temple those who sold animals, and the changers of money sitting. 15 He made a whip of cords, and threw all out of the temple. Those who occupy the moral high ground John5:16 The Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill him, because he healed people on the Sabbath. Those who believe grace is in short supply Luke4:28 (at the mention of Naaman, the Syrian), they were all filled with wrath, 29 threw him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill, that they might throw him off the cliff.

8:34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said : “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” 10:42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 8, 10 Thank God for his written Word to us

Following Jesus Loving Enemies Confronting Injustice Denying self