TRUE GREATNESS (Mark Chapter 9)

I

ME

MINE

MYSELF

 “Those four words stood out in bold print.  They appeared as if they were forming an enormous monument, each letter seemingly chiseled out of granite.  At the base of this strange “monument” were hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people with their arms held up high, as if worshipping at a shrine.  And then in very small letters, this caption appeared at the bottom of the editorial cartoon: “Speaking of American cults…” (Chuck R. Swindoll; Improving Your Serve; 1981 Word Publishing, p 28).

Self-worship is the norm to which we all gravitate.  Sin is the cause.  The lust of the flesh, the lust of eyes, the boastful pride of life—demand attention.  They tell us to always do that which is best for “self.”  “Looking out for number one (i.e. self)” is the mantra of lost humanity.  “As sinfully and culturally defined, pursuing greatness looks like this: Individuals motivated by self-interest, self-indulgence, and a false sense of self-sufficiency pursue selfish ambition for the purpose of self-glorification” (C. J. Mahaney; Humility: True Greatness; c 2005 Sovereign Grace Ministries; p. 44).

The disciples couldn’t understand what Jesus’ was talking about when He spoke of His pending sacrifice (Mark 9:32).  He was their Master—what were these words of suffering and death?  They had heard Him speak of the same things before. That was when “Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him” (Mark 8:32).  But they did not understand and remained ignorant until after His death.  They were not setting their minds on God’s interests (Mark 8:33).  They were not thinking of things from God’s perspective.  Jesus’ servant-minded manner of life and ultimate act of self-sacrifice are diametrically opposed to the spirit of this world.

Jesus was teaching His disciples about sacrifice, they were arguing amongst themselves about greatness.  They had a discussion about it (Mark 9:34).  On a future occasion, after He humbly washed their feet and shared a supper, partaking together of symbols which spoke of His pending sacrifice, they would argue again about the very same thing (Cf. John 13:1-15; Luke 22:14-24). 

What criteria did they espouse as a basis for measuring such a thing-- Good looks, intellect, strength, cleverness?  How are we to measure true greatness?  Our society puts forth movie stars, rich folks, athletes, and famous people as the truly “great” people.  Children are taught to aspire to greatness in these ways.  The world says that greatness is found at the top.    What does God say? 

Jesus said, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.”  True greatness is measured in terms of God’s standard and was revealed to us in the person of Jesus Christ.  He, the greatest of all, came as the servant of all (Mark 10:45).  He left His Father’s throne above and came to dwell among lost and needy sinners.  The way up was down.  In God’s economy true greatness is serving others to the glory of God.  Jesus has worked, through His death, to save self-centered sinners that they might be forgiven of sin and transformed to walk in newness of life.  His greatness is made manifest in their lives as they follow in His steps, taking on His same self-sacrificing nature.  Donald English, “At the source of all Christian service in the world is the crucified and risen Lord who died to liberate us into such service” (Cf. Philippians 2:3-5).  Jesus died and rose again to deliver and transform sin-selfish rebels into God-glorifying servants.  True greatness is measured and founded in the One who came to serve.

FINDING BY LOSING (Mark Chapter 8)

Jesus had some tough words for would-be followers when He told His disciples and the multitudes, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).

The context of this statement is important.  Jesus had previously asked His disciples about the common opinions regarding His identity (Mark 8:27).  And they replied with some of the more popular conclusions that people had come to.  He then asked His disciples what they thought (Mark 8:29).  Peter responded with the correct, Father-revealed truth, “You are the Christ” (Mark 8:29; Matthew 16:16-17). 

Jesus then began to teach them about His pending sufferings and death (Mark 8:31).  He was stating the matter plainly (Mark 8:32).  Peter was right about Jesus’ identity, but did not understand how Jesus, the Christ, could suffer.  “Peter took (Jesus) aside and began to rebuke him” (Mark 8:32).  In a dramatic turn of events Peter, having just been proclaimed “blessed” by Jesus (Matthew 16:17), was rebuked and called “Satan” (Mark 8:33).  Jesus went on to explain: “For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man” (Mark 8:33).

Peter had his mind set on the things of man.  He was thinking of things in “man” terms.  He had thought that Jesus had come to establish His Kingdom (Cf. Luke 24:21).  He was thinking of an ever increasing scope of ministry culminating in Jesus’ reign over all.  Peter was not alone, none of the disciples could understand Jesus’ in His “cross-talk” (Cf. Mark 9:31-32).

How foreign is this life and work of Jesus to our natural way of thinking about things!  As Martin Luther once said, “The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding.”  That Jesus, the Divine Son of God, would purpose to be born in lowly circumstances, that He would live the life of a servant, that He would allow Himself to be betrayed, arrested, unfairly tried, and brutally beaten, scorned, and crucified—these matters transcend our understanding because they are foreign to our way of thinking about things and about God (Cf. Isaiah 55:8-9).

It is in that context that Jesus offered His invitation.  Adam’s kin are all, by nature “broad-path” travelers.  “The gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many” (Matthew 7:13).  The broad way is easy, travelers face few obstacles and little opposition.  The gate is wide, no limitations are put upon the wayfarers.  They can believe whatever they want to believe and do whatever they want to do.  Broad way travelers encourage one another along the path in a hell-bent pursuit of fame, fortune, and fun (Cf. Romans 8:32, 1 John 2:15-16), naïve as to the path’s ultimate destination—destruction.

Jesus was a narrow way traveler.  He marked out the path for others to follow.  The “way is hard,” but it “leads to life” (Matthew 7:14).  It is contrary to man’s way, and therefore “those who find it are few” (Mark 7:14).  Jesus’ invitation to His disciples and the multitudes was to join Him in the path He was on. 

The narrow way is not an easy path, it involves self-denial.  To deny self is to disown or dis-associate self with regards to one’s own prerogatives.  It is to abandon self-effort, self-confidence, self-agendas, and self-will.  This hard way also involves suffering.  The people of Jesus’ day knew about crosses, they’d seen many of them.  To follow Jesus is to embrace the prospect of suffering, with the realization that to lose one’s life in the physical sense, is to find one’s life—spiritually speaking--with God (Mark 8:35; Philippians 1:29).  The cost of discipleship is high, but what is the alternative?  A man’s soul is of such value, that nothing on earth should hold him back (Mark 8:36).  The demands of the narrow way are difficult, but Jesus died and rose again to save and empower His followers to walk in the same manner in which He walked (Cf. 1 John 2:6; Galatians 2:20).  In the words of Jim Elliot, “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”  It is in losing one’s life, in following Jesus, that true life is found (Cf. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Romans 12:1-2).

HEART HEALTHY (Mark Chapter 7)

Much attention is given in our day to the need to live in a “heart healthy” manner. Some say that it is imperative for us to eat “heart healthy” foods and maintain a “heart healthy” exercise regimen. A myriad of drugs are advertised and available to improve our heart condition. Doctors have countless procedures that they utilize to deal with a plethora of heart problems.

There is another problem of the heart that is usually left undiagnosed. And even if diagnosed, wrong treatment options are typically applied. The misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment of this particular heart problem is at the heart of man’s problem.

The Jews of Jesus’ day were careful to wash their hands. They washed other things too including their “cups and pitchers and copper pots” (Mark 7:4). They did so religiously and methodically. Their hand-washing was done according to a carefully prescribed pattern. A particular method and exact amount of water was prescribed. These traditions were not about cleanliness (a good thing), they were a part of their religious ritual—they did such things to keep from defiling themselves (Mark 7:15, 18). They supposed that the careful adherence to their religious rituals could somehow make them righteous before God.

The Great Physician diagnosed their condition (Jeremiah 17:9-10). It was far more serious than they had supposed. The heart of the problem is the heart itself. Adam sinned against God and unleashed a contagion of sin (Romans 5:12). Hereditarily, a “heart condition” has been passed on to every man (Romans 6:19).

The symptoms of the heart problem are alarming and touch on every part of our being—evil thoughts, deeds, and words flow forth from the heart in a myriad of damning and ugly vices. Dishonoring to God and destructive to others, a sin-contagion flows from the heart and infects the whole being. No amount of religious exercise can restrain it. And man has tried them all. They are all but “fig-leaf” religions and are of “no value against fleshly indulgence” (Colossians 2:23).

A heart transplant is what is needed. A complete rebirth.  That is something Jesus alone can do. It is what He prescribed to Nicodemus (John 3:7). No one but Jesus can heal us of all “our soul’s diseases.”  He is of sin the “double-cure.” Through His work on the cross He grants, to the believer, both forgiveness and heart-change. Sin’s power is broken. The heart is changed and renewed and made healthy in Him (Cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10).

“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). The new birth is a wonderful thing! Christ Himself takes up residence in the heart of the believer. And His glorious presence there shines forth in wonderful ways. Sinful words and deeds are put off, supernatural virtues take their place. By a work of the Spirit these Christ-like virtues usher forth from within the born-again believer. A host of damning vices are replaced by glorious and compelling virtues (Galatians 5:22-23). The good heart bears good fruit (Luke 8:15).

We are all born with a heart problem.  Countless remedies are suggested and applied to no avail.  The Great Physician is both willing and able to diagnosis and treat the problem.  He alone can make us “Heart Healthy.”

TO TELL THE TRUTH (Mark Chapter 6)

“There came a man sent from God, whose name was John” (John 1:6).  That God-sent man had quite a ministry!  As the forerunner of Christ he was sent “before the Lord to prepare His ways” (Luke 1:76; Matthew 3:3).  He preached in the wilderness of Judea (Matthew 3:1).  His message?  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”  His manner?  He wore “a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey” (Matthew 3:4).  But he had a huge following: “Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins” (Matthew 3:5).  Thousands were baptized by him, including Jesus Himself (Matthew 3:16).

John “was a righteous and holy man” (Mark 6:20).  All indications are that he fulfilled his God-given ministry to the fullest (Matthew 11:11).  And he was bold in his preaching.  He did not shrink back from declaring the truth.  And so, when King Herod was to be married to his brother’s wife, John spoke up, saying, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife (Mark 6:18).”  To appease his angered wife, Herodias, Herod “sent and seized John and bound him in prison” (Mark 6:17).  For a time Herod kept John safe in prison—he was glad to listen to him, though perplexed by what he heard (Mark 6:20).

King Herod celebrated his birthday with a banquet.  He invited all of the VIPs.  Herodias’ daughter danced for Herod and the guests and pleased the King.  He then offered to her a gift, “up to half of my kingdom” he pledged.  She went and asked her mother what to ask for.  Herodias held a grudge against John the Baptist—he had had the nerve to speak the truth about her illegal marriage.  She was embittered against him and wanted him dead.  She seized the opportunity and instructed her daughter to ask for John the Baptist’s head—on a platter.  Reluctantly, Herod ordered it done.  And that gruesome gift was then presented to the daughter and then to Herodias.

It is a sad end to the remarkable life of one of the Bible’s most important characters.  It is hard to come to terms with the injustice of it all.  Herodias got her way.  Her bitter hatred was assuaged in that despicable act (though later both she and her husband would both be exiled).  But what about John the Baptist?  How are we to come to terms with his fate?  It is important for us to keep in mind that there is more to this sad story than mere human drama or intrigue.  John was a warrior in the battle for truth.  He served on the front lines.  He did not shrink back from declaring his message.  He was unwilling to compromise and even challenged the King. 

His story reminds me of the account of Hugh Latimer’s sermon before King Henry VIII.  King Henry was greatly displeased by the boldness in the sermon and ordered Latimer to preach again on the following Sunday and apologize for the offence he had given.  The next Sunday, after reading his text, he thus began his sermon: "Hugh Latimer, dost thou know before whom thou are this day to speak?  To the high and mighty monarch, the king's most excellent majesty, who can take away thy life, if thou offendest.  Therefore, take heed that thou speakest not a word that may displease.  But then consider well, Hugh, dost thou not know from whence thou comest--upon Whose message thou are sent?  Even by the great and mighty God, Who is all-present and Who beholdeth all thy ways and Who is able to cast thy soul into hell!  Therefore, take care that thou deliverest thy message faithfully." 

John the Baptist and Jesus shared much in common.  Both came to proclaim the truth.  Both were conspired against.  Both suffered punishment by the hand of the King.  Both were put to death, though neither had done anything to deserve it.  In all these ways, and Jesus preeminently so, they exemplify what happens when light confronts darkness.  John the Baptist died at the pleasure of an earthly king but served and was rewarded by God Himself.  Likewise heaven’s reward awaits all of those who speak and contend for truth in His name (Cf. Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 2:8-13; Jude 3; Revelation 1:9, 6:9).

WHAT DOCTORS CANNOT DO JESUS CAN (Mark Chapter 5)

I love some of the names of the churches I have visited in the Masaka Region of Uganda.  Names that speak to a Biblical truth, like People of the Way Church, Victory Church, and Jesus Loves You Church.  One of my favorites is “What Doctors Cannot Do Jesus Can Church.”  It’s kind of a long name, but it’s clever, and speaks to the truth of the passage before us.

The account of the healing of the woman with a hemorrhage is sandwiched between the report of Jairus’s daughter’s illness and Jesus’ raising of her to life.  The woman suffered with some sort of 12 year-long chronic bleeding problem.  We are not given the exact cause or nature of the bleeding, but one would suppose that it was both physically debilitating and emotionally embarrassing.  Beyond that, according to OT Law, it also caused her to be considered “unclean” (Leviticus 12:3-8; 15:19-27).  She would not have been allowed to go to the synagogue or temple.  Anyone she touched would have been deemed unclean.  She had been an outcast for 12 years.  One can hardly imagine how desperate she must have been for help.

Apparently she tried everything she could.  She “had suffered much under many physicians” (Mark 5:26).  Given the state of medical expertise in those days it is likely that the many physicians did more harm than good.  She “had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse” (Mark 5:26).  In her desperation to be healed she had pursued every possibility and exhausted all her resources.

But “she heard the reports about Jesus” (Mark 5:27).  She had no doubt heard of how others had been healed.  A flicker of hope gave rise to a plan born out of her desperation.  She thought, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well” (Mark 5:28).  Her plan was not without obstacles.  She was not accustomed to touching or being touched, she would encounter both in making her way through the crowd.  She was unclean, others would be rendered unclean in the process.  More than that, what would Jesus say were He to know that an unclean woman touched His garments?  So the goal was to touch Him serendipitously.

All went according to plan, she “touched his garment” and “immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease” (Mark 5:27,29).  But Jesus perceived that power had gone out from Him.  He “turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my garments’ (Mark 5:30)?”  The woman heard him.  “Knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth” (Mark 4:33).  She trembled in fear wondering about his response—would he rebuke her?  Would he undo what had been done?  How precious then must have been His reply, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease” (Mark 5:34).  By faith in Jesus she was made well.  In so doing she marked out a path for other desperate souls to follow.

Jesus healed many of all kinds of physical afflictions and those healings spoke to the truth of who He is—“He is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31).  He came not just to heal broken bodies, but to give life to dead souls (Cf. John 3:16, 10:10).  He is the only one who is able to do that.  As the hymn says, “There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus; No not one!  No not one!  None else can heal all our souls diseases; No not one!  No not one!”

I was walking down a road not far from “What Doctors Cannot Do Jesus Can Do Church,” when a strange looking car approached, driving fast along the narrow dirt road.  Music was blaring from the huge loudspeaker that was mounted on its top.  I turned to my friend Paul and asked him what the car was doing.  He told me that it was a man driving from house to house in order to sell a medical tonic that he touted as being able to impart health and healing.  And as Paul was speaking the car stopped at a house and a transaction was made.  Snake oil salesmen still exist.  But for unclean, desperate sinners there is only One place to go.  Jesus heals from “all our soul’s diseases” with power and compassion.  He can do what doctors cannot, He can cause lost sinners to be born again to a living hope (Cf. 1 Peter 1:3)!

DO YOU NOT CARE? (Mark Chapter 4)

In 1986 two brothers, both fishermen/amateur archeologists, found remains of a buried boat on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.  A drought had receded the shoreline and exposed the long-hidden remains.  The boat was determined to be of the New Testament era—the same kind of boat that would have been used by Jesus’ fishermen-disciples.  Once uncovered, it was examined and determined to be 27 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and 4.3 feet high.  It was of shallow draft and flat bottom that it might be able to get close to shore while fishing.  Great for fishing—not so great for surviving a big storm at sea.

Jesus was in such a boat with His disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee.  “A great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling” (Mark 4:37).  Those disciples were experienced sea-men.  They knew how that sea was prone to such sudden changes.  And they knew what to do on such occasions.  But this storm was too great.  And their boat was about to sink.  They feared for their lives.

It was at this point that they cried out to Jesus: “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing”(Mark 4:38)?  They were anxious.  He was sleeping.  “How can He sleep in the midst of this gale?” they must have thought.  Doesn’t He care that we are about to capsize and sink to the depths?

“Do you not care?”  They may not verbalize it, but Christ’s followers are oftentimes prone to such thoughts.  “Sin and despair like the sea-waves cold threaten the soul with infinite loss.”  Too often our response is to curse the storm and try by any means to escape.  The disciples were fortunate to have Jesus in their boat.  The believer in Christ has Him too.  He merely spoke a word to the wind and the sea and there was “a great calm” (Mark 4:39).  Their fear of the storm was exchanged for “a great fear” that caused them to ask amongst themselves: “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him” (Mark 4:41)?

Does He care?  He has proven that He does (Romans 8:32; 1 John 3:16).  Does He care?  He pleads for us to bring our cares to Him, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).  Does He care?  Yes indeed!  He may not quiet the adverse winds and waves, but He can impart to our hearts and minds a quiet “which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

Storms happen.  They touch on every part of the planet.  And the troubles and trials of life touch every soul.  God has a purpose in them—to elicit faith in Him.  The disciples had no need to fear—having Jesus, “the master of the seas,” in their boat.  But they remained anxious ‘til they asked Jesus for help.  The believer in Christ is indwelt with the “great Savior.”  God’s purpose in our troubles is that we might turn to Him for help.  If you have Jesus in your life you have no need to fear.  He knows about your troubles.  He can bring peace to your heart if you but trust Him.  He is trustworthy.  And He cares!

“I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore; Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more; But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry, From the waters lifted me, Now safe am I.”

OUT OF HIS MIND? (Mark Chapter 3)

The DSM-IV manual, the U.S. standard reference for psychiatry, includes over 300 different manifestations of mental illness.  Generally speaking a person is deemed mentally ill if their thinking or behavior lies distinctively outside the “norm.”  And especially if there is concern that they might cause harm to self or others.

Jesus’ family had no DSM-IV manual to consult, but they heard of the way Jesus was behaving and they deemed Him to be “out of His mind” (Mark 3:21).  What led them to arrive at that conclusion?  A great multitude, from all the surrounding regions, was following after Jesus (3:7-9).  They had heard of all that Jesus was doing (3:8).  Some had experienced His healing power (3:10).  The crowds grew so large that He and His disciples could not “even eat a meal” (3:20)!  His family heard of what was taking place.  They went to take custody of Him for they were saying he is “out of His mind” (Mark 3:21).  At this particular point in Jesus’ ministry His family members were not believing (Cf. John 7:5).  But not only were they not believing, they deemed Him crazy.  His thoughts, deeds, and words were so out of step with this world, that those who knew Him best thought Him to be mad.  They cared about Him.  He seemingly had no concern for His own welfare, and spent all His time and energy in concern for others.

It should be noted that there is a sense in which we are all mentally ill.  Sin is at the root of it.  Sin is an insanity.  That we, God’s created, should live in a state of rebellion against our all glorious and benevolent Creator is insane.  That we, despite all the evidence to the contrary, should deny His existence is sheer madness (Cf. Psalm 14:1).  That we would enslave ourselves to damning and harmful vices that inflict harm on ourselves and others is crazy (Cf. Romans 6:21; 1 Peter 1:18).  That we would “give approval to those who practice” such damning behaviors speaks to the depth of our sin-rooted folly (Romans 1:32).  The world is a mental ward, and every sinner is condemned to it lest God intervene to affect one’s release.

Jesus is the answer to the question: “What would happen if God Himself were to come into this world to dwell among us?”  Being empty of sin and full of righteousness, His manner of life was utterly distinct from anyone born before or since.  He was untouched by sin’s insanity.  He refused to partake of the banquet fare of worldly delights, but was a glutton when it came to doing the Father’s will (Cf. John 4:34).  This world has been ever filled with sin-selfish souls greedily longing for more.  But He came not to take but to give.  He emptied Himself of all but love and gave all that He had.  When He had nothing left to give He gave Himself (Philippians 2:5-8).  He purposed to do so to save sin-crazy souls (Mark 10:45).  His family thought Him crazy, but God was indeed well pleased with His Son (Cf. Matthew 17:6).  When it comes to determining who is normal and who is nuts it is God’s opinion that matters.

Amongst the 300 various mental illnesses listed in the DSM-IV manual you will not find any associated with Jesus’ condition.  It is a condition so foreign to the world’s way of thinking that it defies human diagnosis or comprehension.  By the Spirit alone is a man born again and enabled to understand the things of God (1 Corinthians 2:14).  Sin’s insanity can only be cured through the mind-renewing work of the Spirit (Romans 12:2).  “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).  Don’t be surprised if the world deems you “out of your mind” for the choices you make in serving Jesus (Cf. Matthew 10:25).  It is a good thing to be “out of one’s mind” if it means having “the mind of Christ.”