THEY STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND!
December 9, 2007 PM
Sermon Outline
MK 9:30-37
INTRO: A teacher wants to communicate information in such a way that those to whom he communicates understand the message, the lesson. It is exciting when the teacher realizes that the student has comprehended and appropriated the lesson to himself. But it is disappointing when the teacher realizes those whom he has tried to teach have just not gotten the message. They may have heard the words, but there was no comprehension ... no internalizing. In his disappointment, however, a good teacher does not simply shrug his shoulders in dismay and give up on his students. He tries again to "get through" to his students. He perhaps seeks another illustration or example. Our text for this evening's thoughts give us a picture of a Teacher Whose students just did not understand.
- JESUS "TAUGHT" OF HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION
- From Caesarea Philippi to Capernaum
- from the relative safety of Caesarea Philippi Jesus returns to Capernaum
- this journey He desired to make in privacy with His disciples
- there are times when crowds are not convenient to needs
- On this journey Jesus taught His disciples
- it was vital the apostles have careful instruction of kingdom information
- yes, the Holy Spirit would "remind" them - Jno 14:26
- public sermons, instruction is fine a & needed - but private teaching for clarification, for answering questions, for going deeper is necessary
- He taught them of his death and resurrection
- He has previously spoken of His death - Mk 8:31 & 9:11,12
- "Son of man" is a name by which Jesus spoke of Himself (Mt 16:13) - His reference to Himself would have been unmistakable notice
- "is delivered" - is this an oblique reference to Judas' betrayal
- Mt 26:14-16 - "...I will deliver him..." - for the price of a slave (Ex 21:32)
- of course, prophecy spoke of this betrayal - Ps 41:9
- But they did not understand ... and would not ask for clarification
- how could they not have understood? His words were plain
- was this just beyond their own thinking and ideas?
- was the idea of the death of the promised Messiah, the prophesied King, incomprehensible to them? (they finally "remembered" - Lk 24:7,8)
- From Caesarea Philippi to Capernaum
- THEY KEPT THINKING OF THE KINGDOM IN THEIR OWN VIEW OF IT
- Jesus knew that they'd been disputing among themselves as they traveled
- I can almost "see" them as they walk along talking in hushed tones
- heads together, motioning, changing walking partners
- it isn't hard to imagine how Jesus knew something was on their minds
- When He asked them about it, they "held their peace"
- were they afraid He'd rebuke them as He had Peter? - Mk 8:33
- or, were they embarrassed because of the subject?
- in either case, they simply didn't want to answer Him - their discussion tells me they still thought of the kingdom in very earthly, human terms
- So, Jesus taught one of the great lessons of the kingdom - 9:35
- He knew what they'd been discussing, disputing
- He called all of them to Him (all would hear at the same time) and "blew away" their conceptions of the kingdom
- "first" is not a prominent position, not a title, not rulership ... it is servanthood - but this is not a lesson well received even in the church today!
- His comments about receiving the child? 9:36,37
- a child is totally in need - cannot advance ones career - has no influence
- to receive such a person, to aid such a person, to serve such a person is both to receive and serve Christ
- Mt 25:40 - here is greatness in the kingdom of God
- Jesus knew that they'd been disputing among themselves as they traveled
CLOSE: Did they now understand? There is no indication that they did ... at this point. But they did remember later. There are times when the teacher does not know that finally "the light dawned". Teachers may well leave the classroom believing they've done little good ... and do not get to see the great good they have done in a student's life as the student grows older. But a teacher keeps teaching ... as did Jesus.
Cecil A. Hutson
09 December 2007