The Hammer Posse

John 6:54 "Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life , and I will raise him up on the last day "55 For my Flesh is true food and my blood true drink 56"Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.
John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
John 6:66 After this many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.

M.C. Hammer was one of my favorites back in my college days. Hits like "Hammer time, Turn this mutha out, 2 legit 2 quit, Pray and You can't touch this" still reside on my Ipod 20 years later. As Hammer rose in popularity, there was a group of folks simply known as the Hammer Posse. The Hammer Posse was a group of friends and followers that just hung out with him wherever he went. Hammer provided for the Posse's needs, and they all deeply enjoyed the ride as Hammer toured the world as his fame spread. Of course when Hammer ran out of hits and the funding ran low, the Posse disbanded.

Throughout the history of mankind, you can find people wanting to be casually and temporarily attached to people who are famous, special and powerful. It is the way we are built, in need of guidance and shepherding. Unfortunately, evil men like Jim Jones, Adolf Hitler and the like have abused this relational needing throughout the centuries. There are many today, some under the banner of "church", who lead men astray down paths of unrighteousness that glorify men, rather than God.

Stop and look at what Jesus is saying in the above verses. He is saying, "this ain't no casual deal, I am not some cool guru to just rub up against casually". He further tells the listeners -"Your flesh is no Help at all, it is your ability to appropriate mine that imparts life into you. This is a spiritual battle for your soul, not a posse that hangs out together until the cool signs and funding subside." Jesus offers life, but only if the listeners will give Him theirs in submission to His sacrificial work.

The result? Many walked away. What? How could they hear the Gospel from the original source, and just turn and leave? I mean, many times the Gospel is now preached as -Jesus died only for your sins, wants to empower you so that you can have the best life imaginable, right now so say " I accept Him" and just continue on your self indulgent path with some "hellfire" insurance. Well, there are many half truths being preached, but it is suffice to say that Jesus came down to restore us so that we can bring Glory to God, not ourselves. Our flesh driven agendas, even if they are in a church setting, have no power or value in the cosmic battle of life or death, even if they make us feel good about ourselves.

This may sound crazy, but take a second and ask yourself what does your following of Christ most resemble? Do you look more like a member of the Hammer posse, selfishly sponging his work for your glory and comfort, or do you look like men of faith in the bible who understand that sacrifice, submission and the Spirit's leading must mark our intentions and lives. Do you live to exhalt Christ, or do you think he lived and died to exhalt you?