Here's a powerful quote from one of my classes:

As for the cross of the Servant, it is not
strange to us. In that we stand with the
mainstream of Christian faith from the
beginning onward, and we do well to do so.
We enthrone that crucified Saviour in stained
glass, wood, and stone—and in doctrine. To
that cross we look for salvation. But we want
not that cross at all. Indeed, we would have it the chief business
of religion to keep crosses far away. We want
a Christ who suffers that we may not have to,
a Christ who lays himself down that our
comfort may be undisturbed. The call to lose
life that it may be found again, to take up the
cross and follow, remains mysterious and
offensive to us. To be sure, we labor to bring men to Christ,
and we pray, “Thy kingdom come.” But our
labor we see as a labor of conquest and
growth, successful programs and dollars. Can
it be that we are seeking to build the Kingdom
of the Servant—without following the
Servant? If we do so, we will doubtless build
a great church—but will it have anything to do
with the Kingdom of God? John Bright, The Kingdom of God, p. 154.