Mark 10:35-45
"Discipleship Pitfalls" • 9.29.09 • Jesus Christ: The Man Of God, Session #3
Intro.
- Discipleship is a special privilege that is accompanied by specific dangers.
- Two sinners in close proximity of one another, even with Jesus in the center, can equal at least a little messiness.
- When it comes to spiritual discipleship, you can bet that the dangers are increased because of the nature of what is being passed on.
- We talked last week about the need for transference and the privilege that comes from being a man who passes the proverbial torch.
- No matter our level of maturity, there are sticky issues that accompany teaching another person the ins and outs of ministry. This can be overwhelming for two sinners to conquer.
- When Jesus took on disciples, He entered into a relationship where the perfect was surrounded by the imperfect. He chose this! I am glad that He did!
- Jesus, being sinless, could accurately diagnose and lovingly correct those attitudes that accompany the special privilege of ministry.
- At the same time, I'm glad that He chose relationship, because He illustrates for us what great patience we are to have with one another.
- Throughout the gospels, Jesus corrected and re-set the entire group. They openly questioned a decision or a teaching and Jesus took the time to get to the heart of the matter.
- There were a few disciples though, whose famous interactions represent specific attitudes that require our attention today.
- Their stories are recorded for us to consider. Their specific thought disorders can be seen in ourselves or in others, and can be accurately summarized by the use of their names!
- We'll consider four disciples today, and three distinct issues that often appear in our lives or in the lives of those who we disciple in the Lord.
Text
- The disciples had openly wondered about the return on their investment. They had left all to follow Jesus. He speaks to them about their concerns.
• Mark 10:29-31 : "So Jesus answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.'" : This is a great promise.
- It seems though, that James and John stopped listening to the Lord when they heard about getting to be first.
- Between these verses and the verses that we are beginning with, Jesus talks descriptively about His suffering and death!
- This is the context of the verses that we have just read, which makes this question even more out of place. Mark tells us that James and John came to Jesus. This concept was their idea.
- Matthew 20:20 tells us however that they put their mother up to actually asking the question!
- What did they want? They want to sit next to Jesus in His glory.
- The idea here is one of equality with Jesus, sitting right next to Him. James and John made the request, but this was not the first time that this had come up among the disciples.
• Mark 9:33,34 : "Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, 'What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?' But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest."
- James and John seem to be especially obsessed with the power that comes with a life connected to Jesus. However, they badly understand it's presence in their lives.
- Turn with me to Luke 9. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. The Samaritans did not receive Him and this offended the disciples.
• Luke 9:54-56 : "And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, 'Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?' But He turned and rebuked them, and said, 'You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them.' And they went to another village."
- WHOA DUDES!? What are you talking about? Did I give you power to use it like this? This is likely how they got the name "Sons of Thunder!"
- Here they imagine themselves at a place of favor, at the highest place of honor, next to the Lord Jesus Himself.
- They had become inflated, thinking that because Christ had endowed them with gifts and power similar to His own, that they could now be considered in the same class as Christ.
- What a sad state to be in, but certainly not unique. Men have sensed the power of God in great ways. Perhaps a word of wisdom here, a healing there, a great sermon delivered.
- Before one knows it, the pride of the moment seizes the heart and the vessel sees themselves as important as the content that it holds!
- To James and John, Jesus answers specifically that the road to glory is much more difficult than they could ever imagine. They could not drink the cup that Jesus would have to drink.
- The sufferings of Christ that were the humble acceptance of God's divine will for redemption are always the requirement for glory!
- Jesus tells them quickly that the route to true greatness comes from a place that they did not expect to find it!
• Mark 10:42-45 : "But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, 'You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.'"
- Perhaps you need to be reminded that God has given you authority and the power of His Spirit, but it's for building people up, not tearing them down, or manipulating their hearts.
- God has given men authority so that they can build lives and serve God's interests. Unfortunately, men look for ways to destroy lives and serve themselves. Let that not be said of us!
• Matthew 26:16 : "Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?' And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him." : Judas is a bit of a mystery in some ways. He has been depicted in many Jesus movies as the political llaison of the group.
- It's asserted that He was interested in joining the mission of the Priests with the mission of Christ. I always wonder where the movie makers got this idea? It's certainly not in the Bible!
- Sadly, there is no such nobility about Judas. He simply loves money!
- This set of verses comes up after Judas has failed to score a large sum. A woman has come to Jesus and poured out her dowry, her life savings, upon the Lord's feet, a perfume worth a fortune.
- Matthew tells us that the disciples were indignant, saying that the perfume could have been used for the poor. John 12 tells us the inside scoop.
• John 12:14-16 : "But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, 'Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?' This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it."
- Now Judas agrees to betray Jesus Christ for the price of a slave, only 30 pieces of silver! One commentator mentions that the modern equivalent would be about $25!
- It was what he had to settle for, as it seemed there was just no other value in this relationship. Jesus was not paying dividends.
- Now, while the issue of money and it's love is very poignant in our day, you may not necessarily see men dealing with that principally.
- Usually, it takes another form but is a similar concept. Jesus in many men's hearts, is a means to an end. The rationale is that Jesus in my life equals the fixing of my current crisis.
- Many men who begin to walk along Christ in discipleship have this as their motivation at some point in the journey.
- They must be told that to follow Christ is to follow Christ because He is worthy of our allegiance! He is God and His care for us is bigger than our situation at the moment.
- He may not resolve our issue the way we would like Him to. It may not end in reconciliation. It may not end in the salvaging of a career. It will end in blessed union with Christ, and that is more than enough! Unfortunately, men with divided loyalty, usually end up betraying Jesus in the end.
- I love that Jesus, knowing this about Judas, knowing his heart, still includes Judas in the most intimate moments. He still serves Him, even on the night that Judas betrays Him.
- Turn with me to John 13. John records Christ's final evening with His disciples.
• John 13:1 : "Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end."
- After writing this, John records that Jesus put on the clothes of the servant, got on His knees and washed each one of their feet.
- What a beautiful picture, as He even washed the feet of Judas! The King stooped down and took the feet that would soon rush out the door for 30 pieces of silver, and He washed them.
- God is so good to give His benefits out to men in any amount. He does so out of a heart that seeks to bless them. Jesus loved Judas to the end and that's what we must do.
- We cannot stand in judgment of another's motives, and decide to hold back blessing from them until they get their theology straight or their loyalties in order.
- Jesus showed the disciples that night that His love toward each man was unconditional and that they should practice the same thing!
• John 20:24,25 : "Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, 'We have seen the Lord.' So he said to them, 'Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.'" : We're looking obviously at a post resurrection scene and one of the disciples had not been privileged to see what the others had.
- Thomas' statement is incredibly strong. His friends and fellow disciples were encouraging him to believe their testimony. They were asking him to believe, wanting him to take encouragement.
- Thomas however, was devastated. There was nothing that they could do or say that would change his feelings.
- Thomas had been as loyal as any one of them. He had believed. He had bought in. In fact, the only other recorded statement from Thomas in the scripture prior to this, was when he suggested that they all follow Jesus to Jerusalem to die with Him!
- Now, he was the most disappointed. Unless he could see what they saw and touch what they had the opportunity to touch, he would not believe.
- Notice that pivotal word. I WILL NOT believe. It's a refusal. Have you been there? Many men have, and many have followed suit.
- I will not believe until God meets me here on these terms. For some men, buried in their pride and arrogance, this is a challenge to God to prove Himself so that they will believe.
- God does not meet a man along those lines. However, Thomas is a man who already believes. He has already put his faith in Jesus.
- This is the cry of a man desperate to continue his belief! If you have not been there, believe me you will get there.
- Abraham, the Father of the faith asked the Lord to confirm His Word. God showed up in the most ornate of ways in Genesis 15.
- To Gideon, God provided a fleece that was dry one night while the ground was wet and wet the next night, while the ground was dry!
- Jonathan heard words that he needed to hear in order to attack the Philistines.
- Turn with me to Mark 9. My favorite story along these lines though, comes from a man who comes to Jesus on behalf of his own son, who convulsed with a mute spirit.
- Jesus sees the boy's condition and begins His interrogation.
• Mark 9:21-24 : "So He asked his father, 'How long has this been happening to him?' And he said, 'From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.' Jesus said to him, 'If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, 'Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!'"
- That is the heart that God responds to. And here with Thomas, He does the same.
• John 20:26-28 : "And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, 'Peace to you!' Then He said to Thomas, 'Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.' And Thomas answered and said to Him, 'My Lord and my God!'"
- God condescended to Thomas and allowed him to see and to touch. Jesus is so wonderful to do that for us.
- We want so badly to follow Him, but our vision of the world gets in the way. We might look at a man like Thomas and tell him, "Hey, get over yourself! Where's your faith?"
- Jesus sees his faith and chooses to build up what little was there.
Conclusion
- Men who enter into discipleship will be confronted with these same issues. We are to remind ourselves and others that God has given us power and authority to build lives! Perhaps you need to repent of abusing spiritual authority, using it to satisfy your feelings!
- There are others who need to check their motive. Why are you following Jesus? The only motive that will keep you from denying Him is the motive of love for Christ alone, though nothing changes!
- Maybe it's doubt. You refuse to go another step unless the Lord meets you. You are dry and tired and you need God to meet you in your weakness. He will when you choose to wait for Him to do so. He has always been faithful and He always will be!
"Discipleship Pitfalls" • 9.29.09 • Jesus Christ: The Man Of God, Session #3
Intro.
- Discipleship is a special privilege that is accompanied by specific dangers.
- Two sinners in close proximity of one another, even with Jesus in the center, can equal at least a little messiness.
- When it comes to spiritual discipleship, you can bet that the dangers are increased because of the nature of what is being passed on.
- We talked last week about the need for transference and the privilege that comes from being a man who passes the proverbial torch.
- No matter our level of maturity, there are sticky issues that accompany teaching another person the ins and outs of ministry. This can be overwhelming for two sinners to conquer.
- When Jesus took on disciples, He entered into a relationship where the perfect was surrounded by the imperfect. He chose this! I am glad that He did!
- Jesus, being sinless, could accurately diagnose and lovingly correct those attitudes that accompany the special privilege of ministry.
- At the same time, I'm glad that He chose relationship, because He illustrates for us what great patience we are to have with one another.
- Throughout the gospels, Jesus corrected and re-set the entire group. They openly questioned a decision or a teaching and Jesus took the time to get to the heart of the matter.
- There were a few disciples though, whose famous interactions represent specific attitudes that require our attention today.
- Their stories are recorded for us to consider. Their specific thought disorders can be seen in ourselves or in others, and can be accurately summarized by the use of their names!
- We'll consider four disciples today, and three distinct issues that often appear in our lives or in the lives of those who we disciple in the Lord.
I. James & John : Destructive Power
II. Judas : Divided Loyalty
III. Thomas : Debilitating Doubt
II. Judas : Divided Loyalty
III. Thomas : Debilitating Doubt
Text
I. James & John : Destructive Power
• Mark 10:35-37 : "Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, 'Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.' And He said to them, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' They said to Him, 'Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.'" : Before we look specifically at these verses, we need to set the table.- The disciples had openly wondered about the return on their investment. They had left all to follow Jesus. He speaks to them about their concerns.
• Mark 10:29-31 : "So Jesus answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.'" : This is a great promise.
- It seems though, that James and John stopped listening to the Lord when they heard about getting to be first.
- Between these verses and the verses that we are beginning with, Jesus talks descriptively about His suffering and death!
- This is the context of the verses that we have just read, which makes this question even more out of place. Mark tells us that James and John came to Jesus. This concept was their idea.
- Matthew 20:20 tells us however that they put their mother up to actually asking the question!
- What did they want? They want to sit next to Jesus in His glory.
- The idea here is one of equality with Jesus, sitting right next to Him. James and John made the request, but this was not the first time that this had come up among the disciples.
• Mark 9:33,34 : "Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, 'What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?' But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest."
- James and John seem to be especially obsessed with the power that comes with a life connected to Jesus. However, they badly understand it's presence in their lives.
- Turn with me to Luke 9. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. The Samaritans did not receive Him and this offended the disciples.
• Luke 9:54-56 : "And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, 'Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?' But He turned and rebuked them, and said, 'You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them.' And they went to another village."
- WHOA DUDES!? What are you talking about? Did I give you power to use it like this? This is likely how they got the name "Sons of Thunder!"
- Here they imagine themselves at a place of favor, at the highest place of honor, next to the Lord Jesus Himself.
- They had become inflated, thinking that because Christ had endowed them with gifts and power similar to His own, that they could now be considered in the same class as Christ.
- What a sad state to be in, but certainly not unique. Men have sensed the power of God in great ways. Perhaps a word of wisdom here, a healing there, a great sermon delivered.
- Before one knows it, the pride of the moment seizes the heart and the vessel sees themselves as important as the content that it holds!
- To James and John, Jesus answers specifically that the road to glory is much more difficult than they could ever imagine. They could not drink the cup that Jesus would have to drink.
- The sufferings of Christ that were the humble acceptance of God's divine will for redemption are always the requirement for glory!
- Jesus tells them quickly that the route to true greatness comes from a place that they did not expect to find it!
• Mark 10:42-45 : "But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, 'You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.'"
- Perhaps you need to be reminded that God has given you authority and the power of His Spirit, but it's for building people up, not tearing them down, or manipulating their hearts.
- God has given men authority so that they can build lives and serve God's interests. Unfortunately, men look for ways to destroy lives and serve themselves. Let that not be said of us!
II. Judas : Divided Loyalty
• Matthew 26:16 : "Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?' And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him." : Judas is a bit of a mystery in some ways. He has been depicted in many Jesus movies as the political llaison of the group.
- It's asserted that He was interested in joining the mission of the Priests with the mission of Christ. I always wonder where the movie makers got this idea? It's certainly not in the Bible!
- Sadly, there is no such nobility about Judas. He simply loves money!
- This set of verses comes up after Judas has failed to score a large sum. A woman has come to Jesus and poured out her dowry, her life savings, upon the Lord's feet, a perfume worth a fortune.
- Matthew tells us that the disciples were indignant, saying that the perfume could have been used for the poor. John 12 tells us the inside scoop.
• John 12:14-16 : "But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, 'Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?' This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it."
- Now Judas agrees to betray Jesus Christ for the price of a slave, only 30 pieces of silver! One commentator mentions that the modern equivalent would be about $25!
- It was what he had to settle for, as it seemed there was just no other value in this relationship. Jesus was not paying dividends.
- Now, while the issue of money and it's love is very poignant in our day, you may not necessarily see men dealing with that principally.
- Usually, it takes another form but is a similar concept. Jesus in many men's hearts, is a means to an end. The rationale is that Jesus in my life equals the fixing of my current crisis.
- Many men who begin to walk along Christ in discipleship have this as their motivation at some point in the journey.
- They must be told that to follow Christ is to follow Christ because He is worthy of our allegiance! He is God and His care for us is bigger than our situation at the moment.
- He may not resolve our issue the way we would like Him to. It may not end in reconciliation. It may not end in the salvaging of a career. It will end in blessed union with Christ, and that is more than enough! Unfortunately, men with divided loyalty, usually end up betraying Jesus in the end.
- I love that Jesus, knowing this about Judas, knowing his heart, still includes Judas in the most intimate moments. He still serves Him, even on the night that Judas betrays Him.
- Turn with me to John 13. John records Christ's final evening with His disciples.
• John 13:1 : "Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end."
- After writing this, John records that Jesus put on the clothes of the servant, got on His knees and washed each one of their feet.
- What a beautiful picture, as He even washed the feet of Judas! The King stooped down and took the feet that would soon rush out the door for 30 pieces of silver, and He washed them.
- God is so good to give His benefits out to men in any amount. He does so out of a heart that seeks to bless them. Jesus loved Judas to the end and that's what we must do.
- We cannot stand in judgment of another's motives, and decide to hold back blessing from them until they get their theology straight or their loyalties in order.
- Jesus showed the disciples that night that His love toward each man was unconditional and that they should practice the same thing!
III. Thomas : Debilitating Doubt
• John 20:24,25 : "Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, 'We have seen the Lord.' So he said to them, 'Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.'" : We're looking obviously at a post resurrection scene and one of the disciples had not been privileged to see what the others had.
- Thomas' statement is incredibly strong. His friends and fellow disciples were encouraging him to believe their testimony. They were asking him to believe, wanting him to take encouragement.
- Thomas however, was devastated. There was nothing that they could do or say that would change his feelings.
- Thomas had been as loyal as any one of them. He had believed. He had bought in. In fact, the only other recorded statement from Thomas in the scripture prior to this, was when he suggested that they all follow Jesus to Jerusalem to die with Him!
- Now, he was the most disappointed. Unless he could see what they saw and touch what they had the opportunity to touch, he would not believe.
- Notice that pivotal word. I WILL NOT believe. It's a refusal. Have you been there? Many men have, and many have followed suit.
- I will not believe until God meets me here on these terms. For some men, buried in their pride and arrogance, this is a challenge to God to prove Himself so that they will believe.
- God does not meet a man along those lines. However, Thomas is a man who already believes. He has already put his faith in Jesus.
- This is the cry of a man desperate to continue his belief! If you have not been there, believe me you will get there.
- Abraham, the Father of the faith asked the Lord to confirm His Word. God showed up in the most ornate of ways in Genesis 15.
- To Gideon, God provided a fleece that was dry one night while the ground was wet and wet the next night, while the ground was dry!
- Jonathan heard words that he needed to hear in order to attack the Philistines.
- Turn with me to Mark 9. My favorite story along these lines though, comes from a man who comes to Jesus on behalf of his own son, who convulsed with a mute spirit.
- Jesus sees the boy's condition and begins His interrogation.
• Mark 9:21-24 : "So He asked his father, 'How long has this been happening to him?' And he said, 'From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.' Jesus said to him, 'If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, 'Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!'"
- That is the heart that God responds to. And here with Thomas, He does the same.
• John 20:26-28 : "And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, 'Peace to you!' Then He said to Thomas, 'Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.' And Thomas answered and said to Him, 'My Lord and my God!'"
- God condescended to Thomas and allowed him to see and to touch. Jesus is so wonderful to do that for us.
- We want so badly to follow Him, but our vision of the world gets in the way. We might look at a man like Thomas and tell him, "Hey, get over yourself! Where's your faith?"
- Jesus sees his faith and chooses to build up what little was there.
Conclusion
- Men who enter into discipleship will be confronted with these same issues. We are to remind ourselves and others that God has given us power and authority to build lives! Perhaps you need to repent of abusing spiritual authority, using it to satisfy your feelings!
- There are others who need to check their motive. Why are you following Jesus? The only motive that will keep you from denying Him is the motive of love for Christ alone, though nothing changes!
- Maybe it's doubt. You refuse to go another step unless the Lord meets you. You are dry and tired and you need God to meet you in your weakness. He will when you choose to wait for Him to do so. He has always been faithful and He always will be!
1 comment:
(1) James and John were seemingly obsessed with the power and glory from the Lord. How can we guard ourselves from letting the presence of God's gifts go to our heads? What mistakes have you seen committed along those lines and what could have been done to keep that from happening?
(2) Judas had a position among the 12 disciples, but had a love for money as well. Jesus was a means to an end for Judas. What ulterior motives do men have today with regard to Christ?
(3) Thomas was a man who was desperate to continue believing in Jesus. He needed an extra shove from the Lord. Have you ever asked the Lord to speak in a clear way to you in a crisis of faith? Discuss with each other how the Lord met you in those moments.
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