The Cost of Love

“Peace be with you.”

“Let’s Pray: Father may your will be done, Jesus may your word be proclaimed, and Spirit may your work be accomplished in us we pray. Amen”

Intro: A Different Direction

Coming to the text with Fresh eyes.

Pregnant passage: Story of Esther, and Queen Jezebel

There is for sure lessons to be learned by engaging in the treasure hunt call backs to these stories of Esther and Elijah being threatened by Jezebel.

But God took me in a different direction.

The way Mark inserts this story about John, interrupting the brief episode of Jesus sending out His disciples for their first trial run at ministry is interesting. It begs the question why? Mark writes a literary sandwich and the meat of this sandwich is the story about John the Baptist’s death. Why does Mark tie these two things together? What is He trying to tell his audience with John’s death and in the context of the disciples ministry? I hope to tell you…

But before we get to that, I have to tell you a story!

Testing of Faithfulness.

The day I proposed to Melissa is one that I will never forget but not for the reasons you may think. After asking her parents for her hand in marriage, I dreamed up that I thought would be an epic romantic proposal…

God was testing my level of commitment. Not because he needed to know but because I needed to know that regardless of what it might cost I will remain faithful to be Melissa’s husband come what may. The reason I am sharing this story with you is because this is the point that Mark is trying to make with inserting John’s death into the episode of the disciple being sent out to do ministry.

A Good First Run.

1. Sent out.

Mark 6:12–13 NASB95

12 They went out and preached that men should repent. 13 And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.

2. Together again.

Mark 6:30–32 NASB95

30 The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. 31 And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) 32 They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.

From what we are told, the Disciples first run at ministry seems to be a success. They call people to repent, they heal the sick, and cast our demons. Their ministry impact is explosive and when they gather together again they all go off to a secluded resort to get some rest with Jesus. No bad for their first time.

So why the sobering story of John’s death right in the middle of this seemingly good report about the Disciple’s ministry?

Knowing your audience.

To believe and to Follow

Mark in writing his gospel, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and for an intended audience. Mark is recording the events of Jesus’ Ministry so that those who hear it might believe in Jesus, but also so that those who believe may know the cost of following Jesus. Mark’s gospel would be read out loud as believers would gather together in worship in the early days of the church. The early church would be met with trials and sufferings that we in modern times have no frame of reference for.

A life that has both ups and downs.

And so, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Mark is writing to an audience to provide them with both comfort and assurance as they seek to follow Christ. That the life they have been called to in Christ Jesus will be filled with ups and downs. Mark reports to his audience that they will experience what it is like to ride high on the excitement of effective ministry, sharing the gospel with others and watching lives be set free from sin. But there will also be times of deep and painful sacrifice in ministry where it seems that evil prevails and wicked rules the day much like what happens to John the Baptist.

Lesson’s from The headless prophet.

Mark wants believers to know that there will be a cost to following Jesus and he uses John’s death to provide us with an example to follow:

1. Following Jesus requires boldness.

John didn’t back down from calling people to repent. He didn’t compromise, regardless their status or position. He was bold and truthful.

2. Being Bold can lead to being unpopular.

Sometimes people will repent like in the case with the disciples but something it will lead other to hate you or despise you. As a follower of Jesus you can’t be detoured by the opinions of man, you have to follow Jesus even if it costs you your repor with others.

3. Gain the world but forfeit their souls.

Jesus asks, “what good is it to gain the whole world and yet forfeit your soul?” Jesus tells those who want to follow after him that if you lose your life then you will find it. To deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Him. Those who desire to follow Jesus cannot be like Herod of Herodias. Herod could not part with his lust for the wrong woman and in order to gain her he forfeited his soul. Herodias would not stop until her blood thirst was satisfied, forfeiting her soul.

The Cost of following Jesus is forsaking this world and all that belongs to it for the sake of having Christ and the things He affords you in the new world.

Consider these truths:

Romans 8:18 NASB95

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

2 Corinthians 4:17 NASB95

17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,

4. Death does not stop the seed from spreading.

Though the death of John is gruesome and sobering, Mark doesn’t leave us without hope. Mark tells us that though John died, the ministry continues. The seed that John was spreading, continued with Jesus and then with Jesus’ disciples and to us today. Death doesn’t stop the ministry, it helps it spread.

It is easy to get discouraged when it seems like evil is fairing well. When wicked men get their way. It reminds me on that scene in lord of the rings when pippin is with Gandalf at the battle of Gondor. When it seems like all hope is lost and the enemy is winning.

“PIPPIN: I didn't think it would end this way. GANDALF: End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it. PIPPIN: What? Gandalf? See what? GANDALF: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise. PIPPIN: Well, that isn't so bad. GANDALF: No. No, it isn't.”

“The Blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the church.”- Tertullian

5. The Cost of Love.

Mark schools us in the cost of following Jesus. Reminding us that there will be moments of joy and rest while at other times moments of suffering and loss. Mark is preparing those who follow Christ to answer the call when it comes, “will you take up your cross and follow Jesus?” Will you be crucified with Christ? Will you let go of this world to gain the new one with Jesus? Will you be faithful in what Jesus has called you come what may?

Are there any sins you are holding onto that is keeping you from fully following Jesus? Repent .

Are you ministering in your area of influence with boldness? May you pray to the Holy Spirit to embolden you for the gospel.

Maybe you have been engaged in a battle that seems like you are losing and sin and evil are prevailing. restore your hope today in Christ, and trust that victory is sure and all your enduring will pale in comparison to the glory that awaits you. Take Courage, Keeping Hoping, and pay whatever it cost to follow Jesus in both the good and the bad.