“The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” Mark 9:31
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 9:30-50. Excerpts from the introduction for the entirety of the text and for the first (of four) division (vv30-32):
- For the entirety of the text, the title of this chapter of the commentary is "The Road to True Greatness." The main idea is: "[t]he road to true greatness is found in following Jesus Christ."
- "Before Christ redeems us and sets us free, we are like crack addicts addicted to ourselves. We are like alcoholics intoxicated with ourselves. We are not as interested in serving as in being served, in giving as in receiving, in pursuing God’s way as in getting our way, in being the least as in being the greatest."
- "And we are certain the way to greatness is not by an obedience that leads to death (vv30-32), being last and servant of all (vv33-37), having others do what we can’t (vv38-41), and pursuing a life of serious suffering (vv42-50). Yet this is exactly what Jesus says as He lays before us the road to true greatness—greatness as defined by God!"
- "We are in the middle of Jesus’ great discipleship discourse (Mark 8–10). Our Lord is turning upside down the value systems of this world. His teaching is radical and mind-blowing. No wonder “they did not understand.” Ours is a world where everything is about me! Jesus died to free us from such slavery. He died to free us to serve and to walk a road of true greatness, the road He Himself walked as He “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45; cf. Isa 53:10-12)."
- For the first division, the title is: "Obedience to the Will of God."
- “Jesus and the Twelve passed through northeast Galilee headed south to Jerusalem where our Lord will be brutally murdered on the cross. His heart and mind are set to obey the Father’s will. He “must suffer many things” (8:31), and nothing will stop Him from fulfilling His divinely ordained destiny.”
- “[Jesus’] goal is to prepare [the disciples] for what lies ahead.”
- "We must not forget: God purposefully killed His Son in order that He might not kill us! The way to the crown is by way of the cross. Salvation is ours by His suffering."
- "They did not understand, and they were afraid to ask Him. In contrast we should understand with the help of the Holy Spirit, but if we don’t, we should have no fear of asking Him anything. This Savior can be trusted. This Lord is approachable. When He speaks, we need to listen. And when we know God’s will for our lives, like Jesus we should obey because God’s will is always perfect (Romans 12:2). Obedience to the will of God marks the road to true greatness."
A sermon I can remember from probably 15 years shared how Jesus was revolutionary - He died as a suffering Savior to show us how being last helps us see how it is He who gives us strength, etc. Jesus followed His Father's will to die on the cross which for anyone but a believer is mind blowing but this is the essence of the gospel and the Good News. That we all sin, we need a savior, Jesus is this Savior and "that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16)."
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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves! Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such love. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn 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.
