The Bible tells us what a gift our children are to us, and yet every parent and teacher also knows what a challenge it is to raise children. In our day, philosophies of child-rearing range far and wide; from authoritarian homes to permissive homes, and often the church is no different than the world. So, what are we to do in obedience to the command to “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4)? We must be families, and a family of families as the church, that treasure our kids as we teach them what to treasure.
After Jesus is questioned by the Sadducees, a Pharisaic scribe approaches Jesus with an important and much-debated question: “Which commandment is the most important of all?” In His divine wisdom, Jesus reveals the heart of God’s law — that love for God and love for neighbor are the greatest commandments — and in doing so, exposes the make-up of a heart transformed by genuine faith.
The next up to attempt a trap for Jesus would be the Sadducees. Their topic? The foolish and illogical notion of life beyond the grave. Yet again, Jesus confounds the “wisdom of the wise” and delights in the glorious promise of joy forevermore that exceeds anything our current earthly existence has to offer. Do you long for that glory with a passion greater than for the things of this world?
Still intent on undermining the authority of Jesus and the sway He has over the crowd; an unusual team appears eager to catch Him in a trap. This time the subject is submission to the government – Should we come under the Roman tax, or stand opposed to the ungodly ruler over us? Jesus, the master-teacher, amazes them with His answer and lays down a principle for Christ-followers of every age to follow.
I just don’t see enough servants in our world, or in the Church today. I see more disciples committed to learning and growing, but fewer servants committed to going and dying, to a life of sacrifice and selflessness - day in and day out. We are all called to be servants, and some are set apart within the church for the office of deacon and deaconess. They are an irreplaceable gift to the church alongside elders within a covenant community of members!
After the religious leaders interrogate Jesus about the source of his authority to do what he does, he stumps them with a question of his own about authority. Having silenced his critics, he goes on to answer his own question by use of a parable. Through the parable we learn that the very nature of God is the reason that he has all authority and is worthy of our complete submission.
It’s now Tuesday and the Jewish leaders have had the evening to process Jesus’ actions in the Temple courts. They aren’t happy. They like to be in control. At the first opportunity, they challenge Jesus’ authority in an effort to maintain their own. Jesus masterfully unmasks their hypocrisy and self-seeking leadership over the people. They are the fig trees with the beautiful leaves and no fruit.
On the Monday of Passion Week, Jesus makes His way into Jerusalem, and we observe two encounters that expose the righteous anger of the King. The humble entrance into the city the day before must not be mistaken for passivity. Driven by the mission of the Father, we are given a rare glimpse into the emotions of our Savior, and what compels Him to action.
The mission of Jesus now enters its final phase. The reason for which He came, and has declared now multiple times, will soon be upon Him – To suffer and die. A king put to death? Most certainly. But this is no ordinary king, no mere human royalty. As Jesus enters Jerusalem, it becomes quickly apparent that we are watching something utterly unique leading to that which will change the world forever.
It doesn’t have to be wicked, sinful things that take you out. It may be good things gone wrong, or necessary things elevated to the first place in your heart, that keep you from spiritual maturity. A spiritual inventory is often needed to audit our heart priorities. Are yours in the proper place and perspective?
The Lord alone satisfies the longing heart. Oh, if it were only that easy. We were created with longings and so much of life is avoiding sinful longings and fighting the disappointment we find in the lesser longings that never truly satisfy. We need to constantly rehearse the source of all true satisfaction, both in the fallen world today and the perfect one yet to come. May our hearts find their ultimate satisfaction in Christ the Redeemer!
Jesus has been teaching the disciples and the crowd, revealing who He is to them, yet they have not had spiritual eyes to see. Now, on the verge of entering Jerusalem, days away from the cross, His healing of blind Bartimaeus clearly demonstrates the heart of true discipleship. We are forced to consider the character of all true disciples who clearly see and understand what it means to follow Jesus.
Asking for the right thing makes all the difference in personal discipleship, church unity, and Kingdom impact. Pride and selfishness ask for others to do what we want them to do, while denying yourself kind of living asks how we can serve each other. Jesus, the greatest man to ever live, was also the greatest servant of all time. In fact, the whole reason He left heaven and came to our dirty planet was not to be served, but to serve … and give His life so that we might live!
Worldly riches promise satisfaction but can become a major obstacle to denying oneself and following after Jesus. Jesus turns to the disciples after his interaction with the rich young man and highlights the joys of salvation that come only by denying idols in our lives and living wholly dependent on Himself.
Obstacles to radical discipleship abound. Jesus is ruthlessly committed to exposing them to eliminate them, for His disciples then and for us now. From a radical eliminating of sin (9:43-48), to now the exhortation to pursue treasure in heaven over riches on earth. It’s certainly not about money being bad, but it is about those idols of the heart that occupy your affections and rob God of your unadulterated love for Him. He wants you to see that it’s far greater to belong to the King in His kingdom than to jealousy guard your belongings.
As the crowds clamored for selfish gain, the Pharisees sought to trap Jesus to discredit His power and influence. Emerging from the private ministry of discipling His disciples, Jesus immediately faced a question from the Pharisees. A question not asked to learn but asked to test. The Pharisees want to talk divorce, but Jesus wants to talk marriage, applying the principles of “deny yourself” to avoiding divorce and doing marriage as God intended from the beginning. Let’s think through this tricky issue, in our day as in every day, well to the glory of God.
Don’t for a minute think walking as a humble servant is easy, comfortable, or for the weak. To be great in the Kingdom is to be the servant of all, and being a servant is not for the faint-of-heart. Faithful followership of Jesus is about a radical obedience that serves others and battles sin with an unwavering commitment to the King.
Someone famously said, “Everyone wants to be a servant until you are treated like one.” I’ve certainly found that to be true in my own life. I want to selflessly, sacrificially serve people, and yet my pride rises when I feel slighted or go un-thanked. We, like the disciples, need yet another lesson in discipleship. Following Jesus means following the way of the Servant. Denying ourselves means giving our lives away without looking to gain anything. This is the way of the servant.
We have reached a pivotal point in the gospel of Mark. The disciples have been used to walking by sight. Jesus has been right there: teaching them, encouraging them, rebuking them, performing miracles right in front of them. But, now Jesus is heading to Jerusalem and his impending death, resurrection, and ascension. Soon the King will be gone, and he must prepare his disciples to walk in powerful faith as they will lead the expansion of the kingdom through the birth of the church.
In one of the most fantastic scenes in Biblical history, the veil of Jesus’ humanity is peeled back and three humans become witnesses to the future indescribable glory of the King. What a gift they were given in the treacherous journey of discipleship here on earth to see what is to come. Disciples, then and now, must embrace that the cross comes before the crown, suffering before glory. But what motivation this account ought to give to all who would follow Jesus to stay motivated and faithful, never giving up on the call to follow Jesus.
