The Pressures of the Famous King: Mark 3:7-12

Introduction

Fame and crowds.

FCF: How should we respond to Jesus?

In our time together, I will guide you through the text and conclude with a charge or exhortation.

Body

To start, observe the full following of Jesus: 7-8

7-8a: Jesus departed from the Synagogue to the sea. It was a common practice for Jesus withdraw. It was also common for him teach by the sea shore. Moreover, it is by the seashore that he called his first disciples. We are told that a really really big crowd followed our Lord to the sea. This crowd came from all of the surrounding regions. They came from Galilee where our Lord has been ministering to this point in Mark. They came from Judea in the South and Jerusalem the largest city in Judea, meaning these folks traveled a distance similar to the distance between Vista, MO and Ozark, MO. They came from Idumea in the South a distance like that between Vista, MO and Rolla, MO. Idumea is the region that the Old Testament refers to as Edom. By Jesus’ day many of the people of Edomite had been forced to convert to Judaism. However, they weren’t highly regarded by ethnic Jews. They came from beyond the Jordan in the Southwest. They came from Tyre and Sidon to the North. This vast geographical origin for the people flocking to Jesus coupled with the description of great crowd teach us of the great fame of our Lord. This crowd likely included both Jews and gentiles. Jesus is the light of the nations proclaimed in Isaiah’s second servant song (Isa 49:6). Mark gives us a glimpse at their motivation in the remainder of verse 8, look there now.

8b: It was after hearing the many deeds of our Lord that they flocked to him. Jesus healed people like the paralytic and the man with the withered hand. He casted out demons and they listened. He cleansed the leper. They came as we shall see to have miracles preformed for their benefit.

T: From this portion you have observed the full following of Jesus.

Next, consider the sick seekers of Jesus: 9-10

9: He had his disciples ready a fishing boat. Such a boats were used by our Lord as a mobile pulpit. It would provide him distance that he might instruct the crowds of the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Furthermore, he had the boat readied so that the crowd eager to get to him wouldn’t crush him. This scene denotes chaos and claustrophobia. They certainly weren’t social distancing.

10: The reason for their coming and crowding is clarified here. Jesus had healed many, resulting in more pressing in on Jesus. The term for pressing in suggests that the crowd was falling over each other and some even seem to be falling upon Jesus. This scene is similar to a flock of reports and crowds surrounding a famous leader in our day. The crowd wanted a touch of the Lord, for they thought it might cure them of their infirmities. Infirmities that ranged a variety of diseases. They wanted the gifts of Jesus’ Kingdom, but not the King Himself.

T: At this point in our time together, you have observed the full following of Jesus and considered the sick seekers of Jesus.

Lastly, look at the insidious identifiers of Jesus: 11-12

11: The sick in the crowed were falling upon Jesus in hopes that He might heal them. Those possessed and controlled by unclean or demonic spirits fell down before Him in terror. They rightly identify the Lord Jesus as God’s unique Son. They identify Jesus as God Himself. Not even Jesus disciples, yet understood the identity of their master. The crowds also knew Him as skilled teacher and miracle worker. But here we are told again by those of Satan’s horde who Jesus is.

12: Jesus rebukes the unclean spirits. This is a strong and forceful command given by Jesus. The same powerful command was used by God to split the Red Sea (Ps 106:9). He did this so they wouldn’t make Him known. The wording here suggests that the demons words were true, but they were not worthy to speak them. Also, the time of Jesus’ full revelation would not come until after His resurrection. The unclean spirits were the wrong messengers and it was not the proper time. For these reasons among others Jesus silenced them. The unclean spirits are never portrayed as equals to the Lord Jesus. They are enemies and rebels of His reign, but they are pitiful, wimpy, and fearful. Their colors are shown in the presence of divine power.

Application/Conclusion

You have observed the full following of Jesus, considered the sick seekers of Jesus, and looked at insidious identifiers of Jesus. Now heed to my charge that comes from the thrust of our text, namely love Jesus. This is the big idea of the message. Love Jesus. Here are three ways you should love Jesus.

1. Love Jesus by desiring Him and not only His gifts

Is this not what the crowds did? They wanted to be benefactors of Jesus’ Kingdom even if it meant harming the King Himself. The wanted the healings and not the healer. The same thing happens in our day. Preachers often present Jesus as the great fulfiller of our needs or our desires. It is true that Jesus heals. It is true that Jesus blesses His people both now and in the future. It is true that it is a glorious privilege to be a part of Jesus’ Kingdom. However, the beauty of the Kingdom of Jesus cannot be divorced from Jesus. Jesus is the savior who died and rose again. He is the King who gave Himself for His people. He is the one who speaks through His church and calls His wandering sheep back home. He is perfect, faithful, gracious, merciful, compassionate, and kind. He is worthy of our love and gratitude. Enjoy His gifts, yes. Enjoy the gifts of the family you gain with Christ. Enjoy the gifts of ministering to others. Enjoy the gifts of Scripture and prayer. Enjoy the gift of eternal life. Yet, don’t forget the giver. Commune with Him in gathering with your brothers and sisters every-time they assemble. If you want know and love Jesus, there is no better place to learn about Him and experience Him than with the assembled Church. Loving Jesus necessarily means loving His people too. So, love Jesus and not only His gifts.

2. Love Jesus by knowing Him and not only about Him

The unclean spirits knew and know who Jesus is. They know about His power. They know about Him. However, they didn’t and don’t know Him as Redeemer or accept His Lordship willingly. Christian, Jesus is your savior and Lord. Jesus is your hope in life and in death. Jesus is everything to you. He is not just subject of study, He is the very sustenance that give you life, hope, and joy. We came to know Jesus not by our own strength, but by the powerful working of His Holy Spirit accompanying the proclamation of His Word and prayer. We grow in the knowledge of Jesus by the powerful working of His Holy Spirit accompanying proclamation of His Word, prayer, and observing Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and meditation. Also, God grows in the knowledge of Jesus by putting us in a variety of circumstances and situations that stretch, challenge, and break us. In such circumstances, we are emptied of our faith in self and other things and directed to cleave ever the more tightly to Jesus. If you want to know Jesus seek Him not as a means to an end, but as the end itself. Assemble with believers, meditate on the Word of God, pray, love Jesus’ people, and proclaim the gospel to the lost. In doing such things, I have know doubt that you will grow in your knowledge of Jesus.

3. Love Jesus by embracing Him and all that comes with Him

Pressure: Jesus was pressured all the time. He was tempted by Satan. He was pressed upon by crowds. He was maligned by religious figures. He was unable to enter cities and hardly could get a time of solitude. As a pastor, I know that this can be true of the Christian too. When we are faithful to our Lord, though we may never reach fame of our Lord, we will be pressured by many things vying for our attention and zapping our limited energy. Those who minister like the Lord Jesus will quickly find out that those you minister to always have more needs to be met. Those who serve like the Lord Jesus will attract scorn and work. They will be scorned by those who hate Jesus and they will be sought for help by those who need it.

Distraction: Relate to pressure is distraction. Jesus main ministry was not healing but preaching the gospel of the Kingdom. However, distractions came in multitudes. Jesus was sensitive to the needs of the people. He healed many a people. He endured their pressing in upon Him and the ridicule that came with it. Jesus was a man of purpose who came on a mission to tell about the Kingdom through preaching, demonstrate the power of the Kingdom through miracles, and establish the Kingdom through His death, burial, and resurrection. Christian you are citizen of Jesus’ Kingdom. This means that He is to be the guiding principle of your life. You are to live faith in Him and obey Him in gratitude. There will be many distractions that come up in life. Whatever distracts you from faithfully doing what Jesus expects should be disregarded. We live in this present earthy kingdom not as citizens but sojourners and exiles. We are to love our neighbors, support ourselves and families, and honor the authorities God has set over us. Let us be cautious though not become so preoccupied with the earthly kingdom that we neglect the work of the Kingdom of Christ. Work such as preaching the Gospel, assembling for Worship, and ministering to needs of our fellow church members.

Suffering: Jesus, as we learned last Sunday is was something that Jesus underwent willingly as the substitute for His people. He was hated and used by many and loved by a few. The governmental authorities, religious authorities, and the crowds partnered together in His execution. If you are one of His people, then you shouldn’t be surprised when you suffer. The call of the Christian is a call to take up their cross and follow Him. This is the life that faith produces. Christ is our hope and our example. Follow Him, knowing that you may suffer as a result. However, suffering is preparatory for glory and temporary. Your heavenly dwelling will last forever.

You have observed the full following of Jesus, considered the sick seekers of Jesus, and looked at insidious identifiers of Jesus. I have charged you to love Jesus. This is what I am calling all of you too. However, if you have not first believed on the Lord Jesus, then you are unable to love Him. You are a sinner condemned to death and hell. So, unbelieving sinner, I first call you to believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. Seek Him and you will find Him. Come and He won’t turn you away. He alone is your hope as the one who lived in perfection, died as a substitution, rose in victory, and will return in glory. By relying upon Him, His payment for sins will be credited to you account. His righteousness will be given to you. His resurrection will serve as a hope for your resurrection. To all of you rely on Jesus and love Him. Let’s pray.