Jesus’ Mission – Mark 10:32-34

Jesus’ Mission – Mark 10:32-34
September 12, 2010 AM
By Pastor Lee Hemen

“Hindsight is always better than foresight,” is an old expression that rings true every time because we can continually think of ways we should have done something better. We often want to know what the future brings, especially when it concerns what we may become, where we might live, or whom we might marry! As children, we may have wanted to become one of our favorite heroes like a fireman, policeman, soldier, pilot or sailor. But what if we knew what was going to happen to us in the future? What if we learned that what would occur was awful; would we still want to know? Some may think that it is good to know, however, it can be frightening to know what the future brings. This is why some folks think, “ignorance is bliss” in not knowing the future.

Mark’s gospel presents to us an unvarnished view of Jesus and his disciples. It is wonderful in its simplicity, yet vibrant in relating the human condition that Jesus had to constantly deal with. Unknown to the disciples this was the last time they would walk together toward Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. As they walk along the road, Jesus returns to a theme that both disturbed and alarmed them. They sense things are going to change but they are not sure what to think. Today, let’s take a fresh look at Jesus’ mission…

READ: Mark 10:32-34

From the day he had accepted the mantle of Messiah, Jesus was headed toward the cross. He had constantly warned his disciples of the outcome and now it was coming to a climax. It was for the disciples a daily revelation comprehending what Jesus’ mission was. We discover that…

I. Concerning Jesus’ mission, the disciples were afraid!

1. The Bible teaches us that, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10) Were the disciples afraid for Jesus or for themselves? Perhaps it was a little of both. We often fear what we do not fully understand and the disciples still did not fully comprehend Jesus’ mission. What did Jesus mean when he said he would be betrayed and handed over, but more than that what did it mean “Three days later he will rise”? Here again, hindsight is beneficial for us, but for the disciples they had no real idea of exactly what Jesus meant. What would happen to them? Was Jesus the ruling Messiah who would lead Israel to freedom from the dreadful Romans? These fears would come up again and again in the next few days. We all think of ourselves first, when we are fearful of something we do not understand. This is why Jesus tried to teach them to “not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:31-33) The kingdom of God was being fulfilled right before their eyes and yet they feared what they could not understand. In times of uncertainty, when we are afraid of what we do not know or understand, we can trust Jesus. Concerning Jesus’ mission, the disciples were afraid! We never have to be.

EXAMPLE: There is an ancient road leading from Jerusalem to Jericho that is a narrow, treacherous path in the Judean wilderness along a deep gorge. Its geographical name is Wadi Kelt, but it is known, as the valley of the shadow. It inspired David’s 23rd Psalm. The place itself offers little reason to compose such a hopeful poem. The landscape is bleak, barren, and perilously steep. It is a good place for robbers, but not for anyone else. Listen, therefore, anew to the lines David wrote so long ago, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalms 23:4-5) When David wrote he would “fear no evil” (v.4), he was in a place where evil was a constant reality. David, however, refused to give in to his fear. David wasn’t asking God to abolish evil so that he could pass safely through; he was stating that the presence of God gave him the confidence to pass through tough places without fear of being deserted by the Lord. In concerning Jesus’ mission, the disciples were afraid but there was no reason to be afraid. God was with them in Jesus.

Jesus did many incredible things during his life. He raised the dead, healed the sick, gave sight to the blind and made the lame walk. I believe that the disciples were often astonished at what they were exposed to each day in being his followers. It was part of Jesus’ mission here on earth. But here in this section of Mark, when Jesus graphically related what would happen, we discover that…

II. Concerning Jesus’ mission, the disciples were astonished!

1. Habakkuk the prophet told the people, “Look at the nations and watch -- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” (Habakkuk 1:5) A look of absolute astonishment was on the faces of the disciples at this statement of Jesus. Did Jesus really mean, “The Son of Man [would] be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law”? Would his own people “condemn him to death and… hand him over to the Gentiles”? When they looked at Jesus and heard what he said, it sounded exactly like he thought this was actually going to occur! There was finality and certainty to Jesus’ words and it not only frightened them, it astonished them as well. Robertson writes, “They began to fear coming disaster as they neared Jerusalem. They read correctly the face of Jesus.” And this absolutely astonished the disciples that he would continue in his mission, but that is exactly what someone who is called of God does. It is not his will but rather God’s will for his life. Here is the example of the Lord doing what God has called him to do no matter what the future holds. It astonishes us as we begin to think about the road ahead. We know exactly what would occur and how it would transpire. Luke wrote, “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:51) Literally, the idea Luke meant is Jesus “set his face toward” Jerusalem and would not be dissuaded. Jesus would be “flogged and killed,” but “three days later he [would] rise” again! The mission of Jesus would be finished, not on the cross, but with an empty tomb! Concerning Jesus’ mission, the disciples were astonished! We should never be, because he did it for us.

EXAMPLE: We are reminded that when Jesus healed the sick, the crowds who witnessed the event were often amazed, and they “glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw anything like this!’” (Mark 2:12). More than a dozen times in the gospel of Mark, we read accounts of people reacting in a similar way to the words and works of the Lord. The word translated as “amazed” or “astonished” carries the meaning of “being thrown into a state of surprise or fear, or both.” We may sometimes feel that way when we have a fresh encounter with Jesus as we read the Gospels. I believe that, like the disciples, we may be amazed along with his followers when we read Jesus telling disciples, “We are going up to Jerusalem and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” (Mark 10:33-34) But why would they be so amazed? Jesus had a defined mission. And, Jesus is not bound by our limitations or expectations. He speaks and acts with authority and wisdom far beyond ours. It is because they are beginning to actually realize exactly who Jesus truly is. And that is why we are amazed as well. With reverence and awe, let’s hear Jesus’ words anew and look in wonder at his mission again.

Following Jesus was never an easy thing to do, but it would have been exciting. Speaking to crowds of people, seeing him perform miracles, and confronting the religious and social status was all in a day’s ministry. When Jesus first asked them to follow him, none of the disciples had any idea where their leader would take them, but they resolutely followed after him. Here in mark we discover that…

III. Concerning Jesus’ mission, the disciples followed!

1. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17) When they were first called by Jesus, the disciples did not know that he would lead them to the foot of the cross. The dusty dirty road leading to Jerusalem would end there. They were afraid and they were astonished at Jesus’ mission, but through all of it, we still see them following their Master. In this small occurrence of loyalty, we can find comfort and strength of character. Certainly, a traitor would slither off into the darkness to betray the one he would later kiss on the cheek. Later those entrusted to help keep vigil would lazily sleep as he prayed for his personal strength to face the horrors ahead. We find rugged men fleeing into the darkness when confronted by those who seek to kill their beloved rabbi. We hear one of his closest friends deny they ever knew him and curse his name in order to save their own skin. Frightened they shutter the doors and hide behind the skirts of women who proved their undying fortitude better than the boldest of the twelve. But right now, as they resolutely head down the road to Jerusalem, where prophets were killed and those sent to it were stoned, they follow Jesus. His mission became their mission. He had called them and they would follow him wherever he led. And Jesus is leading them ultimately to eternal life -- the place where he leads all who desire to follow him as Savior and Lord. Jesus’ mission would not be completely finished even then, because he promised to make them “fishers of men.” Jesus’ greatest commission, his grandest ministry, his kingdom come would not be done until they were commanded to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything” he had commanded them. (Matthew 28:19-20) Concerning Jesus’ mission, the disciples followed – do you?

EXAMPLE: A woman in Oregon was caught driving 103 miles per hour with her 10-year-old grandson in the car. When she was stopped by the police, she told them that she was only trying to teach him never to drive that fast. I suppose she wanted him to do as she said, not as she did. The Pharisees and teachers of the law seemed to have a similar problem. Jesus had a scathing assessment of them: They were spiritually bankrupt. He held these two groups directly responsible for the sad spiritual condition of the Jewish people. As the successors of the lawgiver Moses, they were responsible for expounding the law so that people would walk in God’s ways and have a genuine and vibrant relationship with the Lord (Deut. 10:12-13). But their personal interpretation and application of the law became more important than God’s law. They did not practice what they preached and they would come into direct conflict with Jesus. They would be the reason he would end up on a Roman cross. Those who said they followed God deliberately placed his Son on a Roman machine of death. We find the disciples looking in astonished fear as he hangs there dying. They had followed him to his untimely death. And as one last act of responsibility, one is asked to watch over Jesus’ mother. After he dies, they hide themselves away in fear. But then early on the morning of the third day, they run after some women who had seen the risen Lord all the way to the empty tomb. Later, still frightened and amazed, the disciples followed Jesus’ instructions. They are reunited with him by the Sea of Galilee. They would never be the same. In concerning Jesus’ mission, the disciples followed.

Conclusion:

Concerning Jesus’ mission, the disciples were afraid, astonished, and they followed! What about you this morning, are you part of Jesus’ mission?

Pastor Lee Hemen has been the outspoken pastor of the same church for 25 years in Vancouver, WA. He writes regularly on spirituality and conservative causes and maintains several web blogs. This article is copyrighted © 2010 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission.

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