Results of Knowing Jesus - Mark 8, 9,10 - September 27, 2009

Bible Study – Results of Knowing Jesus – September 27, 2009

This is the fourth study in our series entitled “Know Jesus.”

Our scripture is Mark 8:34-38; 9:33-37; 10:32-34.

What does “Results of Knowing JESUS” mean?

Last week, we studied the disciples encountering a strong wind on the Sea of Galilee and JESUS walking on the water.

HE fed over 5,000 people and these people wanted to make HIM king, JESUS sent HIS disciples away in a boat and HE stayed back on the mountain to pray. When JESUS had finished praying on the mountain, HE could likely see the disciples struggling to row their boat against a strong head wind. JESUS went to them by walking on the water. The scripture leads us to consider that JESUS acted as if HE would walk past them. The disciples were terrified and they cry out to HIM. JESUS cries back to them to “take courage, It is I.” When HE got into the boat the wind ceased. This is a clear example of what it means to know JESUS. It is the results of their knowing JESUS that HE went to them. When they called to HIM, HE changed directions and got into the boat. When HE became intimate with their circumstance, the wind ceased. JESUS went to the aid of the disciples, when they cried out to HIM. JESUS walked to them to demonstrate that HE was greater than the storm they were encountering.

When the storms of life come our way, JESUS knows and can see from HIS vantage point what we are encountering. HE comes close to us. HE wants us to ask HIM to come to our aid. When we do, HE responds. When HE comes into our life (gets into our boat so-to-speak), the circumstances take on a different meaning because we know HIM and that HE is with us. Knowing HIM and having HIM become a part of our life gets us safely to the peaceful shore, just as HE got HIS disciples safely to shore. The disciples still had to row the boat but the head winds were under control. This does not mean the journey will be easy. It means that the storms of life are better tolerated when we know JESUS is right along our side as we go through the storms.

As believers we have choices. GOD never takes away our right to choose. But how we choose depends upon our spiritual growth, maturity and relationship. The Apostle Paul speaks of carnal Christians in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4. The Corinthian Christians were not ready for the solid food of Paul's teaching:

1 And I (Paul), brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? (KJV)

We can be believers but still be led by the flesh. I know I was and still find the flesh raising its head. It is hard to die to self and the rule of the flesh. My relationship with the LORD offers me a greater opportunity to die to self daily than trying to do so in my own strength. CHRIST understands our struggle.

The only bumper sticker I would even consider putting on my car would be “I am a Christian but still under construction.” Do I know I will go to heaven when I die? YES!!! Because of my goodness? NO!!! It is because I have asked CHRIST to forgive me of my sins and to come into my life. I am going to heaven on the credentials of CHRIST. HE shed HIS blood for my sins and I have been born into HIS Kingdom. The Good News is that HE shed HIS blood for your sins as well. Your part is to ask HIM to forgive you of your sins and accept HIM as your SAVIOR. Making HIM the LORD of your life can happen at the same moment of salvation or it may come later in your spiritual journey.

Let’s read Mark 8:34-38:

Take Up Your Cross

34 Summoning the crowd along with His disciples, He said to them, “If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever wants to save his • life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel will save it. 36 For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life? 37 What can a man give in exchange for his life? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

In JESUS’ day, when a person was going to be crucified, he had to carry his own cross. JESUS had to carry HIS own cross to Calvary until Simon the Cyrenian came to HIS aid and carried HIS cross for HIM.

In essence, JESUS was saying when you follow ME; you need to die to self. Does HE mean acts of asceticism where a person denies himself of certain things or comforts? Some religions require those aspiring to be priests or holy men to deny themselves essentials such as water for a long period and walk a long distance. JESUS was not speaking of this.

In Ephesians 4:22-24 the Apostle Paul was writing to the Christians in Ephesus:

22 you took off[9] Or Jesus. This means: take off (as a command) your former way of life, the old man that is corrupted by deceitful desires; 23 you are being renewed[10] Or desires; renew (as a command) in the spirit of your minds; 24 you put on[11] Or minds; and put on (as a command) the new man, the one created according to God’s [likeness]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. [12] Col 3:10 in righteousness and purity of the truth.

This may help us to understand dying to self or denying self. When we become believers, GOD’S desire is for HIS children to take off the old life and don our new life in CHRIST. Believers are representing CHRIST from the instant they accept HIM until the moment they depart their earth suit to be with their LORD.

We know our flesh wants to rule our lives. GOD wants to rule our lives through obedience to the leadership of the HOLY SPIRIT. When people look at denying themselves to become believers, it is overwhelming. Many decide they cannot deny themselves to become believers, so self rules. Even when a person becomes a believer, he/she often find that he/she does not have the desire to drop some of the things that may compromise his/her witness, again self rules. Then there is defining a compromise. This is why believers need the relationship with CHRIST which the HOLY SPIRIT brings a compromise to our attention and helps us to work on it.

JESUS said during HIS earthly ministry that following the Ten Commandments was not enough. HE said if you look upon a woman, other than your wife, with lustful eyes it was the same as adultery or if a person hates his brother, it was the same as killing him. Obeying GOD’S commands are all about the heart of a person. The point HE was making was that we are all sinners in thought or deed and there is only one thing that will wash away all of our sins – HIS shed blood. This is why JESUS died upon the cross. HE gave HIS life in exchange for the life of every person. JESUS knew it was impossible for any human to earn his/her way to GOD. That is why HE gave HIS life for every human, who will believe in HIM.

So when we consider “denying ourselves” it is impossible without the relationship with GOD through CHRIST. This is over and beyond salvation. Salvation is ground zero. From ground zero a person willingly builds upon the foundation of CHRIST. All believers build. What do we use to build? Do we decide what we want to use as building materials or do we seek to know JESUS first by reading and studying GOD’S Word and then building as directed by the HOLY SPIRIT.

Apart from the relationship it is near impossible to build the right relationship which will help believers to grow and mature to the point where they can truly deny themselves and follow HIM.

When JESUS said to follow HIM, HE meant that we go hand in hand with HIM. It means to accompany HIM and go with HIM.

JESUS made it clear that believers have a choice, either deny themselves and follow HIM or follow their own desires. Those who choose to follow their own desires will not find the joy of obediently serving HIM. They will also miss the rewards resulting from obedient service.

JESUS was speaking with authority because HE knew the truth. HE came from heaven to earth. HE knew what was in store for all obedient believers. HE was telling all would-be believers and believers that nothing in this temporary world was comparable to eternity in heaven. Denying self and following HIM are the best investments a person can make. His/her rewards of obedience are eternal. Why not trust your life to HIM now.

Let’s read Mark 9:33-37:

Who is the Greatest?

33 Then they came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34 But they were silent, because on the way they had been arguing with one another about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, He called the Twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then He took a child, had him stand among them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes[12] Or Whoever receives one little child such as this in My name welcomes Me. And whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me, but Him who sent Me.”

JESUS had been busy healing the sick, casting out demons, preaching and teaching in the area around Galilee. JESUS had taken HIS inner-circle, Peter, James and John, with HIM when HE went up on the Mount of Transfiguration. When JESUS and HIS disciples were returning to Capernaum, JESUS heard HIS disciples discussing who would be the greatest. Why had this subject come up? We can only speculate and here are some possible answers:

- After the feeding of over 5,000 people, the people wanted to make JESUS their earthly king. Did this whet their appetite for a position in this new kingdom?
- JESUS walked upon water and calmed the wind. The disciples knew that JESUS had a special relationship with GOD, which would ensure success.
- JESUS had told the disciples that HE would be betrayed, be killed and would rise from the dead three (3) days later. Knowing that JESUS had a special relationship with GOD, did they not believe what HE was saying?
- The disciples knew that something was coming to a head but they could not comprehend what it was. They knew what was required to conquer a country – power. JESUS had the power.
- Peter had earlier correctly identified JESUS as the Messiah in Mark 8:29: 29 “But you,” He (JESUS) asked them again, “who do you say that I am?” Peter answered Him, “You are the • Messiah!” Yet, Peter denied JESUS three (3) times, which tells me that he did not understand the scope of JESUS’ mission until after the resurrection and even possibly after the coming of the HOLY SPIRIT. It was Peter who preached on the Day of Pentecost and over 3,000 people became believers.
- It seems that the disciples were still looking for some form of earthly kingdom and they wanted to be part of it. Did the fact that JESUS chose Peter, James and John to go with HIM on the Mount of Transfiguration, along with their account of the event, cause the other disciples to question who would be chosen to serve in the new kingdom? The other nine (9) did not want to be left out. Did they think the inner-circle had a leg up on them for a plum position in the New Kingdom?

JESUS knew the hearts of HIS disciples and HE called them together in an effort to clear the air regarding who HE considered the greatest. The greatest in the eyes of JESUS was those who serve others. The greatest according to the world standard are those who are served by others. It is important to understand that it is not serving according to our desires but serving according to the leadership of GOD though the HOLY SPIRIT.

The Greeks had three (3) different words for servant:
- Servant (leitourgeo) referring to political office.
- Servant (latreuo) referring to religious service.
- Servant (diakoneo) referring to those who give personal help to others.

Mark used the Greek word (diakoneo) which refers to those who give help to others. It is the same Greek word that is used for deacon.

JESUS used a child to illustrate what HE is trying to convey to them. The use of the word “child” could apply to an infant or a young child. He had the child to stand among them, which rules out an infant. HE held the child in the crook of HIS arm which was a safe and secure position. Children in that day were not high on the social list. Children had few rights, if any. JESUS was making the point to welcome or to care for or to be concerned about those the world does not consider worthy. When you do this in HIS name, you bring JESUS and GOD into your life and reveal CHRIST and GOD to those you are caring for. This child has no social status and cannot repay you for any kindness or care shown to them. By welcoming them it is out of a heart of concern, care and love for them as a fellow human being.

The world welcomes and cares for those who can help them but as a Christian, it is all about serving GOD as HE directs.

Let’s read Mark 10:32-34:

The Third Prediction of His Death

32 They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. They were astonished, but those who followed Him were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, He began to tell them the things that would happen to Him. 33 “Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem. The • Son of Man will be handed over to the • chief priests and the • scribes, and they will condemn Him to death. Then they will hand Him over to the Gentiles, 34 and they will mock Him, spit on Him, flog[12] Or scourge Him, and kill Him, and He will rise after three days.”

JESUS left Capernaum and was on HIS way to Jerusalem. HE was walking ahead of HIS disciples. The disciples are astonished that HE is walking out in front of them because they knew HE had told them that HE was going to be betrayed and killed. They were afraid of what might happen to them as the journeyed with HIM.

In our previous scripture, JESUS pulled the disciples aside for a heart to heart talk. This was the third time (Mark 8:31 and 9:31) HE was having to pull them aside again for a heart to heart regarding what was going to happen to HIM. The Sanhedrin, the ruling body for the Jews, would condemn HIM to death and the Roman government would mock HIM, flog HIM, spit on HIM and kill HIM but HE would conquer death by being raised from the dead after three (3) days.

This must have been confusing to them because they had never thought of their Messiah as being a suffering Messiah. Yet, JESUS made it clear but they did not question HIM.

Often we get perplexed when serving GOD because we can build up in our minds notions about GOD. GOD can do all things. HE created the world, the universe, all of life and HE keeps it all functioning in order. So why doesn’t GOD do this certain thing for me? HE can but in HIS wisdom, HE does not. We get angry with GOD because we do not understand or see things through HIS eyes. It is during these times we must trust HIM.

Is it easy? NO!!! NO!!! It is never easy. One day HE may allow us to see through HIS eyes the reason why. This is why believers must have the right relationship with HIM because it is through this relationship that we learn to trust HIM and have confidence in HIM. It is a growing, maturing, sanctification process, which may take a lifetime.

It is the results of truly getting to really know HIM and not just knowing about HIM. We can look at the spiritual lives of JESUS’ disciples before and after HIS crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and the filling of the HOLY SPIRIT. The difference was the result of really knowing JESUS. It is the same for believers today. Ask the LORD to take you as you are and to lead you to really know HIM and to help you build the most intimate relationship possible with HIM.