The Confusing Christ - Mark 10:32-45

ILLUST: Selective hearing, or hearing vs listening

Isaiah 53:5 NASB95

But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.

What do you think about this description of the Messiah? The disciples state that Jesus is the Messiah, so did they miss this?

The Focus of Discipleship

Changed from world values to Heavenly treasures

1) Focus on truth, not logic

The crucifixion is not logical - it’s truth

We comprehend logic. What about truth?

verses 33-34 (literally no response) - Selective hearing

Note how they are walking - Jesus is leading, walking ahead of them

Followers amazed and fearful - So Jesus teaches his closest again

“Behold” - PAY ATTENTION

Selective hearing, as we will see

Do WE understand the significance of the Passion??

Do we see that it means more than just salvation?

Do we actually understand salvation? The ransom paid?

A “ransom” was paid to release someone from jail, bondage

Imagine a prisoner having that ransom paid. Jail doors are open. All you have to do is walk out…BUT knowing that means you must follow the one who paid. That’s the deal.

Many will just sit in that jail. A few will come out, and follow!

Jesus FREELY offered His life, so you would follow! Get it?

2) Focus on following

Not comfort and prominence

James and John - absurd question (In Matthew, their mom is said to ask the question)

CONTEXT

Right side of the king was place of greatest prominence, followed by the left side. If he walked, his “right hand man” was there, as was his “left hand man.”

They wanted a prominent place in this kingdom here, earthly. Jesus is gonna “do this thing He’s doing,” and they want to be seen with Him, victorious with Him.

They completely misunderstand

(actually, Heb. 10:11-14, Jesus already occupies the place of prominence in the Kingdom, His Kingdom)

They wanted recognition

Think about the things you do that are never recognized

They seek their own glory, not pointing to the Lord’s glory (so can we)

TRUTH - The way to glory in the Kingdom is sacrifice, service, suffering - LOWLINESS

Does the humble birth make more sense now?

Does the fact that Jesus is a lowly carpenter bring his mindset into better view?

Does the humility He suffered in His death mean anything special to you?

The cup - a metaphor of suffering. Nobody can endure the suffering He did. They had no idea what they were asking. Instead of death, Jesus asks them to serve.

Yet…we may not avoid suffering (we want to, I get it)

Satan tempted Jesus to avoid the suffering, and Jesus responded with the Word (It is written, It is written, It is said)

I’m saved, because Jesus freely suffered and gave His life

3) Focus on humble service

Service allows the love we have to be seen and touched

Focus on self kills love

Compare blind Bartimaeus in v. 51

He asks for faith

The disciples ask for seats of honor in glory

The disciples - danger of desiring power like the Gentile rulers of the day

Rather, they needed to be like servants/slaves

Totally owned by another, totally under the will of that master - just like Jesus

Slave, bought, with a ransom. The ransom price? Jesus’ life - and it was paid, paid in full!

Slaves are not in control of their lives, their master is

Our redemption means the H.S. is in control.

In glory, Jesus will give us the service role that is due us - trust that

Do WE understand the significance of the Passion??

Do we see that it means more than just salvation?

Do we see that Jesus showed His ultimate service by going to the cross? FULL SURRENDER to the will of God.

The disciples are quick to claim the benefits of God’s kingdom, and slow to hear the cost of participation

The very best of Jesus’ followers can succumb to pride - my desire for Cornerstone is for us to be the best followers, most faithful disciples, humbly serving the triumphant Savior!

POINTS ON DISCIPLESHIP

Our following is not perfect, and yet God accepts it! AMAZING!

Our discipleship will never be as humble or noble as we imagine, and yet God accepts it and builds on it!

Never “good enough” - and yet God rewards for it!

The PRACTICAL for us - Closing points on discipleship - maybe we’ll “get it”

A word on the “many” - Isaiah 53:11 in play

Isaiah 53:11 NASB95

As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities.

Does not mean - “many, but not all”

Rather - “all, who are many” (see 1 Tim 2:6)

1 Timothy 2:6 NASB95

who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

Jesus died in place of you, not on behalf of you

The word “for” literally means “in place of” - Total replacement/substitute

“On behalf of” - you are the same

“In place of” - you are changed

Jesus endured the wrath of God, so that you can make a choice to avoid that wrath - TRUTH

A word on assurance

Salvation is assured, secure, OK? Fact. TRUTH

And salvation is seen, shown, by our giving, love, action.

Do we need to have proof that God has this all under control, before we’ll follow?

Or can we trust first, then follow, and be assured later?

Jesus says FOLLOW - and to trust Him with results

You go to a job, and trust you’ll get paid. Would you go if you didn’t think you’d be paid?

Do you believe that a surrendered life for Christ will be worth it? (How you answer says much about your discipleship)

Do NOT choose to accept or reject hardships based on future rewards, but rather accept them, knowing that is the way of Jesus. This is the pattern of His life.

Our message - “Jesus is on the way” - are we proclaiming that truth?

Jesus said “we” are on the way to Jerusalem - they are involved

Jesus said He’s coming back, giving us work to do in the meantime

Remember His Word, when faced with a trial or challenge

Jesus said - they were confused

Jesus showed - they were confused

Jesus rose - better, still confused

Disciples - went out, proclaimed Jesus, proclaimed truth, met with opposition - THEN…they understood

And then faced with a choice: run, hide, quit, or STAND

Look at Peter - he said “You are the Christ” - it’s what he said

But then he had to DO! - that can be us, a lot of talk, little “do”

Peter gets the chance to DO, so do you.

Ask for faith, more faith, more and more faith

RIGHT NOW, where ever you are, Jesus wants to lead you. Will you follow?

Don’t just SAY what you know about Jesus

Don’t be quick to claim salvation, yet slow to follow

LIVE what Jesus lived, showing disciples how to be disciples