But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Mark 11:27-33

But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Mark 11:32-33

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 11:27-33.  Excerpts from the commentary's third (of three) division (vv32-33):

• The title of the third division per the commentary is "They Fear Men More than They Fear God."
• We are referred to Proverbs 29:25 where fear of man is highlighted as a "snare," while God is our refuge from such snares. See also 1 Sam 15:24 and Luke 12:4-5.
• The scribes and Jewish elders' response to Jesus is telling. "It’s sad, isn’t it? What was expedient and safe was more important to them than what was true and right. “We don’t know” was a lie motivated by fear. They would rather keep their position and live a lie than submit to Christ and walk in the truth. They had neither sincere motives nor an open mind." 
• "Twice in this section of Mark, it says the religious leaders were afraid of the people. The fear of man hindered their movement toward Jesus. Their fear of what others would think paralyzed them. Their fear of losing face, of losing power and position and prestige, condemned them."

Fear of man, or conversely, a desire to be accepted by man, is what motivates many these days - particularly those posting avidly on social media. As I posted a couple of days ago, we should not seek our identity, significance, or value, in the world.  Believers know that they experience the "chain of salvation" starting with justification.  Many feel shame or weakness because they feel defined (and trapped) by their sins or imperfections.  Yet believers are "justified," which is that "God declares sinners righteous in His sight."  Additionally, many seek perfection from a worldly standard, yet this will not spare anyone from the "wages of sin" which is death (Romans 6:23).  Only God saves, and through justification, He imputes His perfect righteousness onto the faithful who believe.  We no longer need to strive in our own efforts for salvation - we simply must believe in Him.  God made each one of us in His image for His purpose.  Believe in Him and allow Him to continue and finish a work in You.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that saves, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies.  Thank You for loving me and adopting me into Your family and for saving me.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

“Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

Genesis 10-11

“Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” Genesis 11:4

Day 4 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the ancestral lineage of Noah's sons, and in particular from Shem to Abram; it also includes the story of the Tower of Babel.

As I did in yesterday's post, it is important to emphasize that we exist to glorify God.  While many in today's culture delight in diversity, without saying this is good or bad, it is of note to think about how commonness of language (see Genesis 11:1) might ease cooperation and unity in early people groups (although not necessarily guarantee it).  Unity is then used as a source to build the Tower of Babel as indicated in Genesis 11:3 where it is said "They said to each other"....This unity is then used as a basis to reject God's sovereignty as the people sought to make a name for themselves vs God.

We all seek significance and recognition - yet our significance is found in God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You alone reign over all and You are worthy of worship.  You are King of kings and Lord of lords.  You have also adopted me into Your family - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin daily...seek glory for myself.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.

Luke 22

But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. v26

As Jesus gathers with His disciples for The Last Supper, we see a number of things, including Communion, Jesus' recognition of Judas as His betrayer among them (see also Matthew 26), the disciples quarreling over whom might be the greatest disciple among them, and Jesus' calling out of Peter's denial (three times) of Jesus that will come to pass by the next morning.

Both the disciples quarreling and Peter's defense of himself to Jesus shine a spotlight on our pride issues.  We all want recognition and significance (see also post here) yet we must remember that we exist to glorify God - hence why Jesus emphasizes our need to remain humble so that Jesus is glorified through us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done so much in and for me, and I have seen what You have done through me as well - and I am deeply grateful for all of this. I am undeserving for what You have done and continue to do for me - I worry way too much and lash out at others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Mark 10

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. v43-45

In this passage, James and John seek to gain favor with Jesus relative to the other disciples and they are challenged by Jesus and rebuked by the other disciples.  All of us seek recognition and status in this world - we desire to feel significant - this is outlined by Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as "esteem needs".  Yet we must understand at the same time that significance is provided by our CREATOR - God!  He loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for us on the cross - so that we may have life (John 3:16).  

It is of course tempting to seek recognition, status and significance in this world - but we should not, and instead place our faith in Jesus and take comfort in being second in the same sense that Jesus wants us to place Him first.  We must become a slave to Christ.

For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.  1 Corinthians 7:22-23

My Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are a good, good Father, and a great God - my God, my personal Lord and Savior.  I am nothing without You and apart from You I can do and have no good things.  Thank You for how You bless me and for saving me.  I need You desperately because I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.