How do you respond to a warning? Maybe it depends on where the warning comes from. What if the warning comes from God?
God sent warnings in the Old Testament, “And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place” (2 Chronicles 36:15). It was God’s compassion that was the impetus for the warnings. But how were they received? Look at Jeremiah. He is known as the weeping prophet. He was God’s messenger. His heart was full of compassion, and his heart broke as he watched those who heard his message refuse to change their ways. Instead they became objectives of God’s wrath.
Jesus also gave us warnings. He had taken a child in his arms when He told His disciples that whoever received a child in His name received Him. But that wasn’t all He said. I believe that Jesus was still embracing the child when He gave this warning, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea” (Mark 9:42). Jesus warns of a severe punishment to anyone who would cause a child to sin.
“And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:42-48).
STOP! STOP! Let’s talk about hyperbole! Surely Jesus was using an intentional overstatement and didn’t mean what He said! Yes, I do believe it was hyperbole, it was an intentional overstatement to express the severity of the warning. How would you sin with your hand? Would it be theft, or murder? How would you sin with your feet? Could that mean going somewhere to undertake a sinful activity? Is Jesus really saying that the sins we do with our eyes--such as coveting, lusting or adultery--are so odious in His sight that it would be better to be blind? An even more important question is this, how do we respond to the warnings Jesus has given us?
There is another question raised by these words of Jesus. He talks about being thrown into hell. This too is a warning, but is it hyperbole as well? I believe that the best way to interpret Scripture is to use other Scripture. So come with me to the end of time and look at what is shown to us in Revelation 20:11-15. “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
And so we have been warned, But how do we respond to this warning?
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Friday, October 18, 2019
Which Side Are You On? (Mark 9:38-41)
In 1973 a movie came out called “The Exorcist.” The definition of exorcism is, “the expulsion or attempted expulsion of an evil spirit from a person or place.” I never watched the movie because it was more about the evil spirit than it was about the expulsion. Paul teaches in Romans that we are to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. Paul goes on say that “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Romans 16:20).
The problem I’ve observed with the subject of exorcism is that there seems to be two groups of people. One group becomes obsessed with the power of Satan, and their minds become focused on evil spirits. The other group refuses to accept that there is such a thing as being possessed by an evil spirit. However, if you read the Gospels you clearly see the spiritual contest between Jesus and evil spirits that have inhabited people. In each case the emphasis is on Jesus’ authority in the spiritual realm.
In Mark 9 the disciples had been arguing about which of them was the greatest, and Jesus had ended that argument by telling them that the greatest among them would need to be a servant of all. Their jealousy then turned to someone they had seen casting out demons in Jesus’ name. Because this man hadn’t been following them, they tried to make him stop. Jesus told them not to stop him, because no one could do a mighty work in Jesus’ name and then speak evil of Him. This reminds me of an attempted exorcism that took place after the resurrection.
In the book of Acts there is the story of seven sons of a high priest named Sceva who were itinerant exorcists. After they had seen the miraculous way God was using Paul, they decided to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits. “The evil spirits answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?’ The man who was possessed with the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of the house naked and wounded” (Acts 19:15,16).
Whether we acknowledge it or not, there is a spiritual battle going on. The question is, which side of the battle are you on? Jesus said, “For the one who is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40). However, it is clear from the story in Acts that to be for Christ involves more than just being aware of the battle with evil. So again I ask the question, which side are you on?
The problem I’ve observed with the subject of exorcism is that there seems to be two groups of people. One group becomes obsessed with the power of Satan, and their minds become focused on evil spirits. The other group refuses to accept that there is such a thing as being possessed by an evil spirit. However, if you read the Gospels you clearly see the spiritual contest between Jesus and evil spirits that have inhabited people. In each case the emphasis is on Jesus’ authority in the spiritual realm.
In Mark 9 the disciples had been arguing about which of them was the greatest, and Jesus had ended that argument by telling them that the greatest among them would need to be a servant of all. Their jealousy then turned to someone they had seen casting out demons in Jesus’ name. Because this man hadn’t been following them, they tried to make him stop. Jesus told them not to stop him, because no one could do a mighty work in Jesus’ name and then speak evil of Him. This reminds me of an attempted exorcism that took place after the resurrection.
In the book of Acts there is the story of seven sons of a high priest named Sceva who were itinerant exorcists. After they had seen the miraculous way God was using Paul, they decided to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits. “The evil spirits answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?’ The man who was possessed with the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of the house naked and wounded” (Acts 19:15,16).
Whether we acknowledge it or not, there is a spiritual battle going on. The question is, which side of the battle are you on? Jesus said, “For the one who is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40). However, it is clear from the story in Acts that to be for Christ involves more than just being aware of the battle with evil. So again I ask the question, which side are you on?
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
The Suffering Messiah (Mark 9:30-37)
They had been chosen to be His disciples. They were His friends. At last, what they all believed had been proclaimed by Peter in response to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” They believed that the Spirit of the Lord God was on Him. They believed that the Lord had anointed Him, and they had listened as Jesus brought good news to the poor. They had watched and experienced themselves Jesus’ ability to heal the brokenhearted. They had stood in wonder as He proclaimed freedom for the captives and gave sight to the blind. Surely Jesus was the Messiah, who had come to to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor! At last! At last! They were ready to be part of that day when God would take vengeance on His enemies and set up His kingdom!
But, once Peter had finally put into words what they all believed, something changed. Instead of making plans for setting up the kingdom, Jesus had begun to tell them that the Son of Man was going to be rejected and killed. They could not comprehend that He was going to be crushed for their sins, that the suffering He chose to endure would result in their peace. He knew, however, that they would be healed by His wounds. Because they were His friends, He tried to prepare them. He also told them that He would rise from the dead in three days, but they didn’t understand, and they were afraid to ask Him what He meant.
This time when they had passed through Galilee Jesus avoided the crowds. He was now focused on preparing His disciples for what they would encounter in Jerusalem. When they came into the house in Capernaum, He asked what they had been arguing about along the way. There was silence. While Jesus had been telling them about the rejection and suffering that was awaiting Him, they had been arguing about who would be the greatest in the coming kingdom. These were the men He had chosen, and He knew and understood them. Instead of rebuking them, Jesus sat down and told them that if anyone wanted to be first he had to be last and a servant of all. The one who was speaking to them was the Righteous Servant who would justify many.
The disciples were seeking status now that they had identified themselves as those who were chosen by the Messiah. Jesus took a child and put him in their midst. He then wrapped the child in His arms and said to His disciples, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me” (Mark 9:37). The disciples had anticipated a Messiah who would tear the heavens open and come down. Someone who would make His name known to His enemies so that all the nations would tremble at His presence. They looked with wonder and confusion as He sat embracing a child and telling them about the suffering and rejection that awaited Him in Jerusalem. They had recognized Jesus as the Messiah, but had not understood that He, as the Messiah, was also the suffering servant spoken of in Isaiah 53.
In their presence was the Messiah. They had seen His compassion. And now, as He began explaining the way of the Kingdom, perhaps the words of Isaiah 55:8,9 came to their minds, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” He taught them that to be great in the Kingdom was to be a servant; that to receive a child in His name was to receive Him. Many years later Peter would reflect on the suffering of the Messiah and say, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed ” (1 Peter 2:24).
This time when they had passed through Galilee Jesus avoided the crowds. He was now focused on preparing His disciples for what they would encounter in Jerusalem. When they came into the house in Capernaum, He asked what they had been arguing about along the way. There was silence. While Jesus had been telling them about the rejection and suffering that was awaiting Him, they had been arguing about who would be the greatest in the coming kingdom. These were the men He had chosen, and He knew and understood them. Instead of rebuking them, Jesus sat down and told them that if anyone wanted to be first he had to be last and a servant of all. The one who was speaking to them was the Righteous Servant who would justify many.
The disciples were seeking status now that they had identified themselves as those who were chosen by the Messiah. Jesus took a child and put him in their midst. He then wrapped the child in His arms and said to His disciples, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me” (Mark 9:37). The disciples had anticipated a Messiah who would tear the heavens open and come down. Someone who would make His name known to His enemies so that all the nations would tremble at His presence. They looked with wonder and confusion as He sat embracing a child and telling them about the suffering and rejection that awaited Him in Jerusalem. They had recognized Jesus as the Messiah, but had not understood that He, as the Messiah, was also the suffering servant spoken of in Isaiah 53.
In their presence was the Messiah. They had seen His compassion. And now, as He began explaining the way of the Kingdom, perhaps the words of Isaiah 55:8,9 came to their minds, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” He taught them that to be great in the Kingdom was to be a servant; that to receive a child in His name was to receive Him. Many years later Peter would reflect on the suffering of the Messiah and say, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed ” (1 Peter 2:24).
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
The Healing of Unbelief (Mark 9:14-29)
Nothing exposes unbelief like watching someone you love suffering and knowing you can’t take away their pain. Unbelief is laid bare when faced with the truth that you can’t save this precious person that you would gladly die for. And so it was for the father at the foot of the mountain of transfiguration.
From childhood the boy had often been seized by a spirit, thrown down to the ground where he would foam at the mouth, grind his teeth, and become rigid. And all his father could do was to watch and grieve. Then the father heard that there was a Healer in the land. He gathered up all the courage and faith that he could muster and took his silent broken child in search of hope. He found the Healer’s disciples, but their faith was weak and they had been unable to heal his child.
Many times he had watched helplessly as his son had been thrown into the fire or water by this spirit in an attempt to destroy his child. When he saw Jesus he ran to Him with this request, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us” (Mark 9:22). The request for compassion and help wasn’t simply for his son. The grieving father was asking for compassion and help for himself as well. Watching helplessly as his son was being destroyed had broken him.
This drama of an earthly father who could not save his beloved son was taking place in the shadow of the mountain where the glory of the Heavenly Father had overshadowed Peter, James, and John. The disciples had heard the Heavenly Father’s voice coming from the cloud saying, “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him!” (Mark 9:7). So, what did Jesus say in response to the father’s uncertainty about His ability to heal his son? Listen carefully to the words of Jesus, “Everything is possible for the one who believes.” Jesus then not only delivered the child from the evil spirit, but He also delivered the man from his unbelief.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). What a marvel, what a mystery, that the Heavenly Father would give His own son as a ransom for this grieving father’s son! How was this accomplished? It happened when the Heavenly Father watched as His Son suffered and died in our place. The Heavenly Father told us to listen to His son. Can you hear what Jesus said? “Everything is possible for the one who believes.” Do you believe? Have the sorrows of this live caused your faith to grow weak? There is healing available for you. Obey the Heavenly Father and listen to His son, you can pray and ask Jesus to heal your unbelief.
From childhood the boy had often been seized by a spirit, thrown down to the ground where he would foam at the mouth, grind his teeth, and become rigid. And all his father could do was to watch and grieve. Then the father heard that there was a Healer in the land. He gathered up all the courage and faith that he could muster and took his silent broken child in search of hope. He found the Healer’s disciples, but their faith was weak and they had been unable to heal his child.
Many times he had watched helplessly as his son had been thrown into the fire or water by this spirit in an attempt to destroy his child. When he saw Jesus he ran to Him with this request, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us” (Mark 9:22). The request for compassion and help wasn’t simply for his son. The grieving father was asking for compassion and help for himself as well. Watching helplessly as his son was being destroyed had broken him.
This drama of an earthly father who could not save his beloved son was taking place in the shadow of the mountain where the glory of the Heavenly Father had overshadowed Peter, James, and John. The disciples had heard the Heavenly Father’s voice coming from the cloud saying, “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him!” (Mark 9:7). So, what did Jesus say in response to the father’s uncertainty about His ability to heal his son? Listen carefully to the words of Jesus, “Everything is possible for the one who believes.” Jesus then not only delivered the child from the evil spirit, but He also delivered the man from his unbelief.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). What a marvel, what a mystery, that the Heavenly Father would give His own son as a ransom for this grieving father’s son! How was this accomplished? It happened when the Heavenly Father watched as His Son suffered and died in our place. The Heavenly Father told us to listen to His son. Can you hear what Jesus said? “Everything is possible for the one who believes.” Do you believe? Have the sorrows of this live caused your faith to grow weak? There is healing available for you. Obey the Heavenly Father and listen to His son, you can pray and ask Jesus to heal your unbelief.
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