Bible Study - CHRIST (4) - Teachings like No Other - Mark 1:21-22 and Mark 10:17-22 - March 22, 2015

Bible Study – CHRIST (4) – Teachings like No Other – March 22, 2015

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “Like No Other: The Life of CHRIST.”

Our focus scripture is Mark 1:21-22; 10:17-22.

JESUS teaches us how to live and calls us to follow HIM. The choice of whether or not we respond is always up to us. Is there anything that we love more than CHRIST?

This was early in JESUS’ ministry. JESUS had already spent 40 days in the wilderness, John the Baptist had been arrested and JESUS had called Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow HIM.

In Capernaum, JESUS and HIS new followers went to the synagogue to teach and minister.

Let’s read Mark 1:21-22:

21 Then they went into Capernaum, and right away He entered the • synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. 22 They were astonished at His teaching because, unlike the • scribes, He was teaching them as one having authority.

Capernaum was the largest fishing town located around the shores of the Sea of Galilee. It was an economic center and was home to Peter and Andrew and possibly James and John. It was later that JESUS called Matthew, the tax collector, to be HIS disciple when he was collecting taxes in Capernaum. JESUS made Capernaum HIS base camp during HIS Galilean ministry.

JESUS and HIS followers did not waste any time, they went straight to the synagogue on the Sabbath to worship. They would have already been in Capernaum sometime before the Sabbath so they would not violate the travel requirements of the Sabbath.

Synagogues located outside of Jerusalem would not likely have a permanent Rabbi or teacher. It was customary for visiting teachers to be asked to teach. The teacher would stand and read from the scrolls and then sit to teach on what was just read.

When they entered the synagogue it is likely the synagogue leader invited JESUS to teach those present. JESUS taught those gathered in the synagogue with authority and they were astonished. HE did not teach as the scribes. The scribes were more like literary scholars. The Law of Moses was the most referred to legal documents, the scribes were often referred to as “lawyers.” They were the experts in the law and were more concerned with letter of the law than the people the law impacted. Therefore, when JESUS taught those hearing HIM they were “struck with amazement” with HIS teaching.

The word “authority” comes from a word which carries the idea of “an inherent ability, power and freedom to act.” JESUS spoke in a fresh and invigorating manner, which challenged those to whom HE spoke to seek a personal relationship with GOD, to get to know GOD and tie the scripture to HIM (JESUS) as the promised Messiah.

The scribes spoke in strict legal terms, whereas, JESUS spoke of the love of GOD toward those who seek HIM. JESUS’ lifestyle reflected the compassion of GOD versus the rigidness and inflexibility of the scribes and Pharisees. They focused upon the letter of the law and not the Spirit of the law.

This pattern was repeated many times during the ministry of JESUS. We need to keep in mind that GOD sent HIM to GOD’S chosen people first but for the most part they rejected HIM.

Let’s read Mark 10:17-21a:

17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must “I” do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call Me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good but One —God. 19 You know the commandments: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not defraud; honor your father and mother. ” 20 He said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.” 21 Then, looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.

We fast forward to Chapter 10. JESUS was in the area of Perea “the far side of Jordan.” It seems that JESUS was on the move and about to leave the area when a young man “ran up” to HIM to ask an urgent question. First, it was not common for a Jewish man to run, they would have to lift their robe and expose their ankles, feet and part of their legs, which would have been considered undignified. Dr.  Luke refers to this young man as a “ruler” who often is referred to as the “rich young ruler.”

This young, energetic man ran up to JESUS and knelt. He knelt to show honor and respect to the “Teacher.” He referred to HIM as “Good Teacher” followed by an earnest question, “What must “I” do to inherit eternal life?”

Here we can go into several directions:

-         Clearly he wanted to know what else he could do to “inherit eternal life.” The Jews believed that those who had wealth were blessed by GOD and they were already in HIS favor. So this young man had great wealth as we see later, therefore, GOD had blessed him mightily.

-         He could have been looking for JESUS to give him accolades for all the good he had done and his spiritual walk.

-         He wanted to know what “he” needed to do to obtain “eternal life.” This was a question many religious people have because they often look at their ability to earn favor from GOD. It is a question all people need to ask. But there is but one way to having eternal life and salvation and that is to believe that JESUS gave HIS life for you to pay in full your sin debt. You must accept JESUS by faith as your Savior and in doing so you will receive the Spiritual rebirth in your spirit and eternal life. Eternal life is a gift from GOD which is confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

JESUS saw an enthusiastic young man with great potential and HE needed to probe him. HE probed him by asking him “Why do you call Me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good but One —God.

“Why do you call ME good?” JESUS needed to know why he called HIM Good. JESUS gives us the reason for HIS question, “No one is good but One —God.” Did this young man see JESUS as GOD? If so, that would have been a WOW moment.

JESUS asked him commandments which relate to others: “You know the commandments: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not defraud; honor your father and mother.”

20 He said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.”

From his youth likely meant since his bar mitzvah.

What JESUS did next was important “Then, looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him.” In the King James Version of this verse reads “Then JESUS beholding him loved him.” The word “behold” carries the idea of “turning one’s eyes on”, “to gaze”, “to look beyond the exterior to the very core.” JESUS saw this young man’s soul and HE knew his potential. He had all the qualifications to be an outstanding follower and witness of JESUS. JESUS knew his potential and loved him for it. This was a good kid. But there was a problem:

 “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”

This young man seemed to be very sincere, honest and genuinely sought an answer to his question. JESUS looked at him intently and looked into his very spiritual heart and saw what was keeping this young man from having an intimate, personal relationship with GOD. I am reasonably sure that as JESUS spoke the words “You lack one thing” this young ma’s ears were attentive. Lacking one thing is not bad out of all the possibilities. He must have been listening intently for JESUS to reveal this one thing.

Then he heard the words “Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” WOW! Now, I know what to do and the way JESUS phrased it “I have to do it now.” When I do, I will have treasure in heaven? But I have been taught that riches are for now and for me to use and my comfort and status. Something must be wrong, is this man truly a Good Teacher? I heard what HE said but can I count on what HE told me. Humm?

Then HE said, as we read in our next verse:

Let’s read Mark 10:21b-22:

Then come, follow Me.” 22 But he was stunned at this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

The King James Version reads “and come, take up the cross, and follow ME. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.”

Could this young man have processed the instructions of JESUS to mean, [JESUS told me to follow HIM. I am shocked even “stunned” at HIS demand.] What likely went through this young man’s mind? Was it, “oh, now I see the scam. HE is an itinerant teacher and has these men following HIM and they need money, therefore, HE wants me to sell all my goods, give the proceeds to HIM, the poor, and they will live in luxury while I live in poverty.”

Barriers to salvation vary with each of us. Sometimes it is our possessions, careers, status, desire for certain lifestyles, notions of what we may have to give up to become a Christian and the list goes on.

The things that stun us in life often stick and we ponder them many times. This man had the right attitude in desiring “eternal life” but his possessions were a stumbling block. The cross was an instrument of death. GOD does not hold back on what it may mean for us to follow JESUS. By JESUS reviewing the commandments which relate to others, this young man seemed to be a natural to have the desire to share his wealth with others, especially the poor.

But when it came to decision time, “he was sad” and was “grieving.” He may have been thinking, “Why on earth did I ask that question?”

Did he accept CHRIST as his Savior later in life, we do not know but GOD knew his heart and I am certain GOD did not let him rest until he made a decision to either accept or reject CHRIST as his Savior.

What is in your life that prevents you from obediently serving CHRIST?

Blessings!!!