Stories of the Rabbi 16

Mark 9:33-50 Who is the greatest, who is for and against us, and a warning for false teachers

I. Mark 9:33-41- Who is the greatest

a. Vs. 33a - They are back in Jesus’ home base in Galilee – Capernaum

i. “in the house” – probably Peter’s and Andrew’s. Future site of one of the (if not the) first Christian Churches.

b. Vs. 33b - Jesus asks about what they were arguing about on the road. Do you think he knows? 😊

c. Vs. 34 – they were embarrassed about arguing about who was the greatest

i. Why were they embarrassed?

ii. Are there things we discuss and argue about that we would be embarrassed about if we knew Jesus was listening in? (hint: He is listening in!)

d. Vs. 35 - Jesus sets them straight – the first shall be last and a servant to all

i. “Sitting down” – this is a Hebrew indication of formal teaching – He is assuming the posture of a Rabbi

ii. In a world where power is one of the most important values, Jesus turns the concept of power and greatness on its head.

iii. Mark uses some interesting Greek in this sentence:

1. For the word servant, he does not use the work δουλος dulos, which means slave or servant. Mark uses διακονος diakonos, which means a religious/spiritual servant or one who renders service to others; we get the word deacon from this word.

2. The greatest in the Kingdom’s economy is the one who does the humblest spiritual tasks and ministry “for all.”

3. Why do you think diakonos is used as opposed to dulos?

e. Vs. 36 – 37 – Time for an object lesson

i. Jesus takes a child (could it be one of Peter’s or Andrew’s kids?)

ii. Taking the child and making that child front and center of His teaching is a way of extolling the virtues of innocence and purity

iii. “Whoever welcomes (δέχομαι dechomai – receives, welcomes, shows hospitality) – remember how important hospitality is to the Eastern culture

iv. “…whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” – This is not as obvious as in John’s Gospel, but here is one of the earliest claims to Divinity by Jesus.

II. 9:38-40 If you aren’t for us…

a. Vs. 38 - Fist instance of denominationalism – they ain’t one of us.

b. Vs. 39 – 41 – as you read these verses, how does this apply to our current state of denominations and separation?

III. 9:42-50 – A warning

a. Vs. 42 – When working with those who are new to the faith or who are exploring the faith, we need to be very careful that we do not lead them astray – there are drastic consequences

b. Vss. 43 – 47 Jesus speaks hyperbolically, meaning He is speaking figuratively. Some have taken his word literally, and that is a huge error.

i. Read Deut. 25:11-12 and Deut. 14:1

ii. Hand causes you to sin? Cut it off.

iii. Foot causes you to stumble? Cut it off

iv. Eye causes you to stumble? Pluck it out.

v. BUT – is it your hand, foot, or eye that causes you to stumble?

vi. The scene of the crime is your mind—that is what Jesus is getting at. Your mind and your will control your body.

c. Vss. 47b – 48 What about Hell?

i. Jesus is using another object lesson

ii. NIV uses the word “hell:

iii. The word is γέεννα Geenna or Gehenna– or the Valley of Hinnom near Jerusalem

1. This was the garbage dump of Jerusalem

2. It was perpetually on fire with maggots and flies

3. It was also the location where the child sacrifices to the god Molech – babies were thrown into the mouth of a statue of the god that had a blazing fire

4. Hell is unimaginably awful – and those that choose in their mind to do evil – those that choose to walk away from God, have this in store for their eternity

d. Vss. 49 – 50 Three saying about salt

i. “Everyone will be salted with fire.”

1. This is linked with the prior statement about the fire of Gehenna

2. Fire, in this case, is a fire of judgement

3. Salt is a part of the judgment against Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot’s wife turning to salt, but that whole area is in the southern part of the Dead Sea and is the saltiest place on the planet

4. Everyone, not only the wicked, will have to go through judgment

5. Salt and fire are also essential parts of purification – see Lev. 2:13

6. Salt was necessary for restoring the Temple (see Ez. 43:24)

7. So – to be “salted with fire” means that both judgment and purification are a part of living for Jesus.

ii. “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?”

1. Salt was an essential substance for everyday life in Jesus’s time and culture, so it was good.

2. “Losing saltiness” – salt that loses its saltiness is, in fact, no longer salt. There is no way to reverse it.

3. Those who follow Jesus should be distinct – salty – they should not blend in like salt blends into water.

4. When those who follow Jesus are no longer distinct from the world and the flesh, they are no longer walking as disciples of Jesus.

5. Those who are disciples of Jesus are distinct and stand out as a disciple of the Lord.

iii. “Have salt among yourselves and be at peace with each other.”

1. Salt symbolizes the covenant Lev. 2:13

2. Salt is associated with meals and gatherings – there was always a dish of salt available at meals

3. The covenant of fellowship and peace is an essential part of being a follower of Jesus – being salt

iv. How does all this talk of salt affect your walk with Christ? How can you be saltier in your spheres of influence – home, work, school, friends?