Where Pastor Lionel left off last week at Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-21), Pastor Ernie picked up on that event and the event that followed with more observation and further application (Mark 11:27-12:12).
Observations from Scripture
As anticipation built up around the person of Jesus, the Jews were keenly expecting the long-awaited Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. Amidst the fanfare and excitement, all hopes were pinned on Jesus being the King to rescue them from Roman oppression. If only they knew Jesus’ true mission, they would not have made such a fuss over Him. If only they knew Jesus came not to set them free from Roman rule but from God’s wrath over sin. If only they knew Jesus was not interested in being popular, but being obedient to God’s will.
The Jews eventually found out the hard truth about Jesus when He upset the status quo by clearing the Temple. With their expectations crushed, their authority challenged, and their profiteering ruined, the Jewish religious leaders began to plot Jesus’ downfall. Just as in Mark 14:61-65, their pride and prejudice prevented them from accepting Jesus as their Messiah.
The truth is, not only was Jesus the promised Messiah, He was also the Bridegroom who had come for His bride, Israel. Yet the nation rejected Him. While the religious leaders were concerned about position and power, Jesus was concerned about truth and righteousness.
Jesus responded to the leaders with the parable of the vineyard that described them not as God’s anointed but as outsiders. Jesus equated the tenants in the parable who killed the vineyard owner’s son to the religious leaders. In telling the parable, Jesus was revealing where His authority came from and the purpose of His coming – to replace the religious temple system. In doing so, He wanted to provoke them to repentance. But their eyes were blinded and their hearts were cold. They had completely failed to see Jesus for who He was.
But Jesus’ primary concern was not for outsiders but for insiders – disciples – to know who He truly was, and is.
Significance of Passage for Today
The question asked then by Jesus of His disciples (Matthew 16:13-15) is the same question asked of us today.
“WHO DO YOU SAY JESUS IS?”
Is Jesus a saviour, a friend, a helper, or the LORD? Is He only a saviour to whom you said the sinner’s prayer years ago as a ticket to heaven? Is He just a friend to whom you sing songs in church every Sunday? Is He a helper to whom you call on when you need a promotion? Or is He the LORD over everything you do and everything you have – every single day? If Jesus is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all!
Is the way we live a result of calling Jesus LORD? If not, Pastor Ernie challenged us, we ought to examine our lives through 1 John 2:3-4, “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.” Obedience is what Jesus is looking for, not church attendance.
Pastor Ernie also warned us through Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” The consequences of not taking discipleship seriously are critical. Those who are just “church attendees” must grapple with the question of who Jesus is to them.
Pastor Ernie then defined what a true disciple is: One who is constantly growing into the likeness of Christ (1 John 2:12-24). Jesus’ key concern is not our comfort but our fruit. Check yourself: Is your faith still in kindergarten?
If our discipleship and allegiance are to Jesus who has all authority, where on earth can we find His authority?
1. Scripture. Do we let the Bible drive our values and convictions? Or do we read men’s words more than God’s Word? “Disobedience to God’s Word leaves us unchanged and feeds our self-deception so we wander around in blindness.” (Bobby Harrington/Josh Patrick)
2. Leaders. Life change never happens on a Sunday morning through preaching itself. Transformation does not happen in big groups but in cells with leaders who are devoted to Jesus. We should never be afraid to let leaders speak into our lives, or allow the Asian culture of “saving face” stop us from accountability and intimacy. “Nothing can be more cruel than that leniency which abandons others to their sin.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
3. Situations. Life does not always work out according to our plans. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Can we let God be God because we are not? Pastor Ernie shared the story of Swedish missionaries David and Svea Flood to demonstrate the cost of discipleship and proclaim the sovereignty of God over every situation.
Discussion Questions
1. Read Mark 11:27-12:12. As you read this passage, imagine yourself in the story as it unfolds. See yourself as one of the disciples with Jesus, listening to the conversation between Him and the religious leaders. What do you see? What do you hear? What are you thinking? How are you feeling? And why? [10 min]
2. The question asked of Jesus by the Jewish religious elite was “By what authority do You do these things?” It is the same question Jesus asked His disciples then and now: “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:13-15). Who is Jesus to you? Is He Lord of all of you or Lord of parts of you? Does He have complete authority over you in all that you do and how you live? [10 min]
3. Pastor Ernie defined a true disciple as one who is constantly growing into the likeness of Christ (1 John 2:12-24). Examine the chart in the sermon synopsis above. Where do you place yourself in the diagram? How long have you been in that position? What may be the things holding you back from growing?” [10 min]
4. The story of missionaries David and Svea Flood is a story of the cost of discipleship and the sovereignty of God. The couple responded to Jesus and gave up all to follow Him, at great costs to themselves, but their rewards were eternal. Will you respond like the Floods and follow Christ at any price? What practical steps will you take to move to the next measure of the fullness of Christ? [15 min]
