Reverend Burgula VenkatRatnam

Cross and a New Paradigm to Discipleship

Cross and a New Paradigm to Discipleship

Date: 6th April 2025 | Occasion: PASSION SUNDAY | Topic: The Cross and a New Paradigm of Discipleship

As we approach the end of the season of Lent, our hearts are drawn ever closer to the ultimate act of sacrifice and love—The CROSS. Today, on this 5th Sunday in Lent and 2nd Sunday before Easter, we are called to reflect on what it means to follow Christ, and what a new paradigm to discipleship truly looks like. This new paradigm is not about gaining worldly success, nor is it about avoiding struggles. It is, however, a life marked by profound transformation, humility, and a radical reorientation of our priorities.

1. The Cross: The Heart of Discipleship

The cross stands at the heart of our faith. It symbolizes suffering, sacrifice, and love—attributes that are often at odds with the values of the world. The call to follow Jesus is not a call to live a life free of hardship, but a call to embrace hardship as a means of spiritual growth, just as Jesus did. We see this clearly in the life of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:21-31. Paul reflects on his own suffering—beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and betrayed—and yet he sees these hardships as the very essence of his discipleship.

In verse 30, Paul declares, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” This is a profound understanding of discipleship. It’s not about worldly power or success, but about living out the transformative power of God’s grace in the midst of our weaknesses and challenges. The paradox of the Christian life is that in our brokenness, God’s strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9). The cross teaches us that our greatest victories often come through our greatest defeats.

2. The New Paradigm: Living in God’s Favor

We see this new paradigm echoed in the life of Isaac in Genesis 26:12-33. Isaac’s life seems to be marked by blessings, abundance, and the favor of God, even in the face of opposition. He plants crops and reaps a hundredfold, his wealth grows, and he becomes a target for envy. The Philistines stop up his father’s wells, but Isaac simply moves forward, reopening the wells his father Abraham had dug. Isaac’s perseverance despite opposition serves as a powerful reminder that following God may lead us through difficult and contested waters, but it also guarantees His provision and faithfulness.

In our own lives, we may face opposition, envy, or moments of scarcity, but like Isaac, we are called to keep digging. When one well dries up, we dig another. When one door closes, we look for the open door. Isaac’s faith and persistence remind us that God’s blessing and favor are not merely a result of external success but a result of our faithfulness and trust in His promises.

3. Faith: The Key to Transformation

Faith is at the heart of the new paradigm of discipleship. In the Gospel reading from Mark 10:46-52, we encounter the blind man, Bartimaeus, whose faith leads him to a miraculous transformation. Bartimaeus, despite the crowd’s attempts to silence him, cries out for mercy. When Jesus asks him what he wants, he boldly responds, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Jesus, moved by his faith, heals him instantly. Bartimaeus’s response after being healed is powerful—he immediately follows Jesus on the road.

This moment illustrates the radical shift that discipleship brings. When we encounter Jesus with faith, we are transformed—not just in body, but in spirit. Bartimaeus did not just receive his physical sight; he was given a new vision for life, a new direction. Discipleship calls us to step into a new way of seeing the world—a world where faith, not sight, leads us, where the cross becomes the center of our perspective, and where service and sacrifice become the measure of success.

4. The Righteous Will Flourish

Psalm 92 offers us a hopeful promise amidst the struggles we face in discipleship: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon… they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.’” (Psalm 92:12-15). This flourishing is not about avoiding hardship, but about remaining steadfast and rooted in God’s faithfulness. It’s about enduring through trials, knowing that we are ultimately growing in the likeness of Christ. Even in old age, the righteous will continue to bear fruit.

Discipleship is a life of growth and flourishing, even in the midst of challenges. We may face opposition, loss, or discouragement, but if we remain rooted in Christ, we will continue to bear fruit that brings glory to God. Our strength is found in Him, and it is His presence that sustains us through every season.

5. A New Paradigm to Discipleship

In conclusion, the cross offers us a new way to view discipleship—a way that goes beyond external success and embraces the deeper, transformative work of God in our hearts. It’s a call to embrace suffering, not as an end in itself, but as a means through which God’s power is revealed. Like Isaac, we are called to press forward even when opposition arises. Like Paul, we boast in our weaknesses, knowing that it is in those moments that Christ is most glorified. And like Bartimaeus, we are invited to step forward in faith, knowing that our encounter with Jesus brings new life, new vision, and a new way to live.

As we move closer to Easter, let us embrace this new paradigm of discipleship. Let us lay down our old ways of thinking and take up the cross, knowing that it is in the cross that we find true life, true peace, and true freedom.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,
We come before You today, humbled and grateful for the cross of Christ. Thank You for showing us that discipleship is not about worldly success, but about following Jesus with a heart full of faith, perseverance, and love. Help us to embrace the challenges we face as opportunities to grow in our dependence on You. May we, like Isaac, press forward with boldness. Like Paul, boast in our weaknesses, knowing that You are our strength. Like Bartimaeus, may we call out to You in faith, trusting that You will heal and restore us.

Lord, as we journey through this season of Lent, prepare our hearts for the glory of Easter, where the resurrection power of Christ will transform us into His likeness. May we find hope and joy in the midst of our struggles, knowing that in You, we are more than conquerors.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
† Amen.

Bible Verses for Reflection:

  • Genesis 26:24 – “Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.”
  • 2 Corinthians 11:30 – “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”
  • Mark 10:52 – “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
  • Luke 9:23 – “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

The cross (†) is not only central to our faith but also a profound symbol of God’s love, sacrifice, and the transformation available to us. Below are key biblical references that highlight the features of the cross:

  1. † CROSS – A Symbol of Unity: Through the cross, God reconciled everything to Himself, uniting both Jew and Gentile, and bringing peace between humanity and God. Reference Verse: “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20)
  2. † CROSS – A Symbol of Victory: The cross is seen as a place where Jesus triumphed over the powers of sin, death, and evil. It marks the ultimate victory over spiritual forces. Reference Verse: “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:15)
  3. † CROSS – A Symbol of God’s Wisdom: The cross appears foolish to the world, but it reveals the deep, paradoxical wisdom of God. Through the cross, God’s plan of salvation is unveiled. Reference Verse: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18) and “We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.” (1 Corinthians 1:23)
  4. † CROSS – A Symbol of Removing the Curse and Giving Blessings: The cross removes the curse of sin and death that came upon humanity through disobedience, and instead, it brings blessings—eternal life and freedom. Reference Verse: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.’” (Galatians 3:13) and “Anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse.” (Deuteronomy 21:23)
  5. † CROSS – A Symbol of Sacrifice: The cross represents the ultimate sacrifice—Jesus giving His life for the salvation of the world. Reference Verse: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” (1 John 3:16) and “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
  6. † CROSS – A Symbol of Atonement: The cross is the means by which Jesus atoned for the sins of humanity, making peace between God and mankind. Reference Verse: “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20)
  7. † CROSS – A Symbol of Redemption: The cross is the means by which humanity is redeemed from sin, and believers are bought back into a relationship with God. Reference Verse: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)
  8. † CROSS – A Symbol of Love: The cross is the ultimate expression of God’s love for humanity, demonstrated by the sacrifice of Jesus on behalf of sinners. Reference Verse: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) and “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
  9. † CROSS – A Symbol of Forgiveness: The cross represents the forgiveness of sins, offering grace to those who believe. Reference Verse: “But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” (Hebrews 10:12)
  10. † CROSS – A Symbol of Strength in Weakness: The cross is CROSS – A Symbol of how God uses what the world considers weak and foolish to achieve His greatest purposes. Reference Verse: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
  11. † CROSS – A Symbol of Death and Resurrection: The cross represents both death (as Christ was crucified) and life (as Jesus rose again), embodying the core of the gospel message. Reference Verse: “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” (Romans 6:8) and “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” (Philippians 3:10)
  12. † CROSS – A Symbol of Discipleship and Self-Denial: Jesus taught that His followers must take up their own cross, symbolizing self-sacrifice, suffering for His sake, and obedience to His call. Reference Verse: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) and “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (Matthew 16:25)
  13. † CROSS – A Symbol of Rejection and Shame: The cross was an instrument of humiliation and disgrace, which Jesus bore for the sake of humanity. Reference Verse: “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.” (Isaiah 53:3) and “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
  14. † CROSS – A Symbol of God’s Kingdom: The cross symbolizes the inauguration of God’s kingdom on earth, bringing salvation and the promise of eternal life. Reference Verse: “Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.’” (John 18:36)
  15. † CROSS – A Symbol of Transformation: The cross signifies personal transformation for believers, as they are crucified with Christ and become new creations. Reference Verse: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)

The cross (†) serves as a powerful, multifaceted symbol in the Christian faith. It represents the reconciliation between God and humanity, the triumph of Christ over sin and death, and the ongoing transformation of believers into His image. It is central to the message of salvation, demonstrating God’s justice, love, wisdom, and grace.