Mark 9:30-37
(A Bible Study Led by Dr.
Larry Reynolds)
September 6, 2012
You may have heard or seen the story this past
week about a woman who is obviously not too bright. This woman, 53 year old Joyce Coffey, was
arrested by police four times in a span of 26 hours! Here is how the story was reported on the
web:
A New Hampshire woman is on
a highway to jail after being arrested four times in a span of 26 hours.
After the first noise
complaint, police only issued a warning, but an hour later she was arrested for
a second complaint. Then, five hours later, another
noise complaint—followed by another
arrest.
Union Leader reports her first two releases cost
her $1,500 and she agreed not to play her stereo until after 10 a.m. Wednesday.
But around 1 a.m. another
noise complaint was called in, so police paid her another visit.
One of the officers who
arrested her wrote in an affidavit: “When I walked up to the screen door at the side of Joyce’s house, I saw
that the stereo was placed near the doorway and the speakers were pointed out
the door.”
Her music of choice? Rock
legend AC/DC’s “Highway To Hell.” And if you’re keeping track, that’s only
three arrests.
Sky News reveals the remaining arrest came after
she reportedly threw a frying pan at her nephew’s head when he came to get some
of his belongings Wednesday morning. Officers do suspect alcohol as a factor.
The judge released Coffey on
$10,000 bail and recommended she stick to headphones in the future. Coffey is
due back in court on October 15.
Those
are not the actions of an overly intelligent woman! In the Scripture we often see the disciples
of Jesus doing or saying things which brings into question the matter of their
intelligence. Not that we would have
been any different had we been in their place, but sometimes those early
disciples appear to be awfully slow and dim witted. In our journey through Mark's Gospel have
come to passage which portrays them in that light. Look at Mark 9:30-37.
The
following notes are from Bob Utley’s excellent study guide: The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter:
9:30 “began to go through Galilee” This is
still the setting of leaving the Mountain of Transfiguration and moving south
through Galilee. Jesus wanted to personally speak to as many people as
possible.
“He did not want anyone to know about it” This is
another aspect of Jesus’ desire not to be known as a healer or miracle worker
because the press of the crowds seeking physical help made it impossible for
Him to teach and preach.
“is
to be delivered” This is a PRESENT PASSIVE INDICATIVE. The
term means “to hand over to the authorities.” This was the third time that Jesus
had clearly revealed to the disciples what would happen in Jerusalem (cf. 8:31;
9:12).
“three days” In Jewish
recording of time, it was probably about 30–38 hours (i.e. a brief time on
Friday before twilight, all of Saturday, and part of Sunday before dawn). This
time period is linked to Jonah’s experience several times (cf. Matt. 12:39–40;
16:3; Luke 11:29–32).
9:32 “they did not understand” This is a
recurrent theme in the Synoptic Gospels. Luke’s Gospel reveals the situation
clearly.
1. the disciples did not
understand (2:50; 9:45; 18:34)
2. they should have because
Jesus’ words were interpreted for them (8:10)
3. Jesus opened the minds
of the disciples (24:45)
They were
as blind as the crowds until Jesus’ words and the Spirit’s inspiration opened their
closed minds and hearts to the truth of the new covenant. The fallen human mind
cannot understand except by the help of the Spirit and even then it is a slow
growing process from salvation to sanctification.[1]
9:33 “Capernaum” This town,
the hometown of Peter and Andrew, became Jesus’ headquarters after the unbelief
of Nazareth.
“when He was in the house” This was
probably Peter’s home (cf. 1:29) or a rented house used by Jesus.
“What were you discussing on the way” They were
arguing, not just discussing. He had told them of His death (three times) and
they wanted to know which one of them would take His place as leader (cf. Matt.
18:1–18; Luke 9:46–48; 22:24).
9:34 “greatest” This shows
the jealousy of the other groups of disciples against the inner circle of
Peter, James, and John. It may also reflect their Jewish concept of a
nationalistic earthly kingdom.
9:35 “sitting down” This would
have denoted an official teaching session (cf. 4:1; 9:35; Matt. 5:1; Luke
4:20).
“If anyone wants to be first” This is a
FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE, which is assumed to be true from the author’s
perspective. Jesus did not condemn ambition, but defined it in terms of the new
ethic of the Kingdom of God. Greatness is linked to service (cf.10:31, 45;
Matt. 20:26; 19:30; John 13:5), not control or power! God’s Kingdom is so
different from human societies.
These words are a good example of how Jesus repeated His teachings
in different settings and at different times (cf. 10:43–44; Matt. 23:11; Luke
22:24–25).
“servant” Jesus spoke
Aramaic. This saying (i.e. vv. 35–37) may be a word play on the Aramaic word talya,
which means both “child” and “servant.”
9:36 “Taking a child” Matthew
18:1–18, Luke 9:46–49, and here clearly show that Jesus is talking about new
believers, not children.
“taking him in His arms” This is
another eyewitness detail of Peter. It was even possibly Peter’s house and
Peter’s child!
9:37 “ ‘whoever receives one child
like this in My name’ ” “In My Name” means “in the character of
Jesus.” There is no magic in the repetition of certain words. The power comes
from knowing Jesus and emulating His actions. Our loving response to others
because we are followers of Jesus is a way to express our love for Him (cf.
Matt. 25:31–45).
From Acts 19:13–16 we know that Jewish exorcists used Jesus’ name,
but with surprising results. From Matt. 7:21–23 we know that it is the personal
relationship with Christ that is crucial, not just the flippant or even
repeated mentioning of the name.
“ ‘and whoever receives Me does not
receive Me, but Him who sent Me’ ” Jesus characteristically affirms
the exalted position of the Father. This is repeatedly recorded in John’s
Gospel. This submission to the Father is not one of inequality, but functions
within the Trinity.[2]
As
I studied this passage this past week, I was struck by the strong contrast
between Jesus and the disciples, and by implication between Jesus and us. And the basic difference between Jesus and
the disciples I see in these verses has to do with the way in which they viewed
themselves. Jesus, who had every reason
to feel proud, viewed Himself with a spirit of humility. The disciples, who had every reason to feel
humble, viewed themselves with a spirit of pride. Two statements in these verses make that
contrast quite clear:
·
First,
notice what v.30 says...as Jesus passed through Galilee, where He was a
celebrity by this time, Mark tells us "...He was unwilling for
anyone to know about it." ...that is, He didn't want to draw
attention to Himself...He was content to slip through the area
unnoticed...wasn't driven by giant ego which demanded recognition and praise
and accolades...
·
Now,
notice what v.34 says about the disciples...as they were passing through the
area where Jesus didn't want the applause of the multitudes, Mark tells us the
disciples had been discussing "...with one another which of them was
the greatest."...wouldn't you have liked to have heard that
conversation?...can't prove it, but suspect the argument was started by Peter,
James, and John...they had been up on the mountain with Jesus and saw Him in
that mysterious transfigured state...had seen Moses and Elijah...had heard the
voice of God...no doubt, they thought that made them more important, more spiritual
than the rest of the disciples ...and when they expressed that opinion the
fight was on...
Try get visual image of what happening here...in
ancient east, the disciples/learners would always walk behind the
teacher...never presume to walk abreast/side by side with teacher and certainly
not in front of teacher...here is Jesus, moving down from area of Caesarea
Philippi, south through Galilee with face set toward Jerusalem where He was
going give His life for sins of world...behind Him walked the disciples
involved in petty dispute over which of them was the greatest!...that's an
incredible scene...
And when they stopped in Capernaum for the evening,
Jesus challenged their petty way of thinking...look at what told them in v.35 -
"If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant
of all."...that principle is such a foundational part of the
teachings of Jesus, it is recorded no less than six times in the gospels...and
the reason Jesus said it so often is the disciples had a terribly difficult
time believing it...
And the truth is, not much has changed about that in
2000 years...disciples of Jesus in world today still have difficulty with this
principle...the first shall be last?...the least shall be greatest?...the one
who serves shall be exalted?...how do you reconcile that to a world which---
--says winning is everything?
--exalts not those who serve, but
those who have servants?
--teaches us always to ask,
"What's in it for me?"
--believes that looking out for
yourself, taking care of number one, is the main purpose of life?
And the answer to those questions is, "You
don't!"...can never reconcile the teachings of Jesus to a world which
lives by a completely different standard and philosophy...we need recognize
that following Jesus cuts directly across the grain of our natural tendency,
which is to build ourselves up...and following Him involves a radical departure
from the standards of the world in evaluating greatness...
--world sees greatness in terms
of getting; Jesus taught that true greatness is in giving...
--world sees greatness in terms
of controlling; Jesus taught that true greatness is in serving...
--world sees greatness in terms
of gaining praise, honor, and prestige; Jesus taught that true greatness points
away from self to others...
This is a truth Jesus was constantly attempting to
drive home to His disciples...one of His more graphic lessons came in the night
before He was crucified...had gathered with the disciples in the upper room
somewhere in Jerusalem... apparently no servant was available to wash the dust
off their sandled feet as they entered the room as was customary for that
culture...so while the disciples were sitting around waiting to be served and
probably debating in their minds if not aloud who among them was the greatest,
Jesus got a water basin and a towel and began to go around the circle washing
the feet of the disciples...imagine that!...the Incarnate Son of God washing
the feet of those dense, prideful, arrogant disciples!...what an unforgettable
lesson that was in humility and service...how amazed and even ashamed they must
have been when it later dawned on them who Jesus really was...
Must never forget
that in the end, only those who give themselves away, those who are
willing to be servants will be exalted...and when you think about it, Jesus'
entire life was an illustration of that... as Paul explained in Philippians
2:5-9 even though He was in heaven in the form of God, did not selfishly cling
to that...chose to become a man, come to our world, and in humility went to the
cross...as a result, God exalted Him and gave Him a name which is above every
name...and Paul prefaces that entire statement about Jesus by saying, "Have
this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus..."
At the end of this passage Jesus does a beautiful
thing...takes a child in His arms...perhaps was one of children of the family
hosting them in their home...since in Capernaum may well have been in Simon
Peter's home and could even have been one of Peter's children...and made
statement which Mark does not record but it's in Matthew's account of this
event...said, "Whoever humbles himself as this child, he is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven."...and interesting thing about
that is in the Aramaic language, which Jesus and disciples spoke, the word for
child and the word for servant are the same...was just another graphic way of
driving home the truth that in God's eyes greatness = servanthood...
CONCLUSION
1. Augustine, the 4th century theologian/philosopher, once said that
there are three requirements to becoming a Christian...the first is
humility...the second is humility...and the third is humility...
2. While humility does not make a person a Christian, those who are
truly followers of Jesus Christ will be characterized by an attitude of humble
servanthood...
3. Jesus put it quite clearly, "If anyone wants to be
first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all."
[1]
Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2:
The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I
& II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (105). Marshall, Texas: Bible
Lessons International.
[2]
Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2:
The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I
& II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (105–106). Marshall, Texas:
Bible Lessons International.
