Defining Jesus - Jesus and Following

Defining Jesus #4

Jesus and Following

Mark 6

Right behind singing KumBaYah, when I think of camps and firesides, I remember some pretty emotional Friday night messages followed by singing, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back.”  At this point in the story, we are walking with some men who have decided to follow Jesus, and to this point there has been no turning back.

These men have seen what we have been looking at over the last few weeks.

·          Relationships

·          Teaching / Listening

·          Power

And now in chapter SIX, we will walk some more with these followers of Jesus.  We pick it up in verse 1 and we find them again in 52.

Something we quickly discover in this chapter is that one who follows Jesus

Can expect rejection

If we are following the story line, rejection is not necessarily what is expected.  What this follows are miracles of epic proportions!  And yet when it comes to Christ we can expect some rejection.  READ vs. 1-6

Jesus always seems to broaden his area of influence.  No explanation is given, but it is clear that he will spread his message.

The response – skeptical questions

·          Family members – Jesus had addressed them before.

·          Skeptical Questions (seem to start positive or at least neutral, and before we know it, they turn very skeptical)

o    This does give the hint that most people did not think Jesus was going to be the Messiah when he grew up.  This is different that the American culture of loving the underdog.  THIS WAS SCANDALOUS!

o    What they are not asking:  What does it mean?

o    Not a desire to know, but an itch to dismiss

·          They actually take offense to him.

·          You can be impressed with the quality of his words and the reality of his miracles and still refuse to admit the source of his wisdom and power

o    They are bothered by the identity of who manifests these works.

o    There is always scandal attached to the cross.

The result

·          As a result of UNBELIEF…  this is one of the first consequences that we see in the gospel of rejecting Jesus.

o    Nothing major being done there.  Only a few minor miracles.

·          Continued preaching – This does not seem to deter Jesus.  He does miracles, he continues teaching.  REJECTION is not the end of the world.

The focus comes back on the disciples

Can expect to be sent on mission

READ vs. 7-13

This takes us back to an initial call to ministry

·          Mark 3:14-15 14And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15and have authority to cast out demons.

·          They have been with him.

·          They are picking up some of the ministry of John

·          They are extending the ministry of Jesus.  They are operating with his commission and authority.  Not their own.

o    Authority over demons

o    Healing

o    Proclaiming repentance

For what we are looking at today, something more significant than the content of the call is the manner of the call

·          Urgency

·          Nature or the message drives the urgency

·          The message is accompanied by good deeds.

·          Self-sacrifice

·          Expectation of acceptance/rejection.  And the actions of the disciples if they are rejected.

·          Preparatory for something greater

They turn out to be successful.  This paves the way into another discussion.

INTERLUDE – DIGRESSION

This at first glance seems to be out of place.  It is random.  But this is probably a good time to remind ourselves that ALL Scripture is given by inspiration.

BASIC STORY LINE of John the Baptist

·          Confrontation with the King (ironic as both Jesus and John preaching about the kingdom of God which as at hand.

·          Banquet

·          Execution

Serious contrasts

·          Detour and light is shed on the success

·          Message will be preached; message will be challenged

·          Restoration and deliverance; conflict

·          Reception; suffering

·          It means that we MUST have a category for doing right and ending up being punished for it.

Irony in the story (19-20)

·          Herod feared John

·          Herod knew he was a righteous holy man

·          Herod was greatly perplexed when he listened to John

·          Herod heard him gladly.

·          By way of application, I must warn the person who is coming and enjoying the spectacle of religion, fascinated by the show of it all.  You could be in serious danger.

Verse 30 brings the disciples back into the forefront.

Can expect to have a front row seat to the glory of God

Setting of the next two stories

·          READ vs. 30-34

·          Tired disciples (a tired Jesus)

·          A compassionate Jesus

Feeding of the 5000

·          READ 34-40

·          Jesus has a problem.  I say that because the disciples seem to indicate this

o    Sarcastic Response (glory of God will equal some puzzlement- huh? Questions)

·          READ 40-43

·          No record of amazement.  We don’t know what the others knew.  But, we know that they knew.

In the boat

·          Remember the setting

·          READ 46-51

·          A casual reference to prayer

·          This story is less about the wind, and more about Jesus

·          The emphasis of “Passing by”

o    Moses – Exodus 33

o    Elijah – 1 Kings 19

o    Both of these point to God’s transcendent majesty and give reassurance.

·          Jesus’ personal care – He has compassion on them, saying, “Take heart, it is me.”

READ 51-52

Hardened hearts

·          Disciples miss the point / or aren’t looking for it

·          How can we feed so many?

·          It’s a ghost

·          THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HARDENED HEARTS

o    Rebellious, hostile

o    Ignorant / immature

§   God is patient with the ignorant and immature.

Hearts were hardened.  What did they miss?

CONCLUSION

We almost have to speculate, but there should be some things in clear view for those who follow Jesus, and it seems that they missed them.

1.     Jesus is God.  And when we follow Jesus, we live in the presence of God.

Our hearts become hardened when we don’t act like He is there.  Just because we have seen his power, doesn’t necessarily guarantee a good response.

2.     Jesus cares for His followers.  And no matter the circumstances, they are never outside of His care.

Our hearts become hardened when we aren’t sure that he really cares, and we find ourselves running AWAY from him, rather than to him.  Just because we have seen his compassion, doesn’t necessarily guarantee a good response.

3.     Jesus is almighty.  And he makes a significant demand on our lives: FAITH AND SURRENDER.  And even though we are following Him, our hearts still may be hardened.

Our hearts become hardened when we functionally miss what we know to be real and true.

Many of you in this room have decided to follow Jesus.  You realize that there is no turning back, but don’t miss the warning in this passage: DON’T HARDEN YOUR HEARTS!

Date Preached:

10/19/08      OBC Sunday AM

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