Monday, July 31, 2017

Are You Gonna Go My Way?




Lyrics about the Lord

I was born long ago,
I am the chosen, I’m the one.
I have come to save the day,
And I won’t leave until I’m done.

But what I really want to know is…
Are you gonna go My way?


Back in 1993, Lenny Kravitz hit it big when he asked the musical question “Are You Gonna Go My Way?” Did you know Lenny wasn’t extending the invitation to join him on his next tour? He’s actually singing about Jesus.

Yes, THAT Jesus. The lyrics are all about the same itinerant, homeless Jewish Preacher/Teacher/Healer described by Mark in his bio of the Son of God.

Leaving Stuff Behind

Lenny got the idea for this single from an invitation Christ made to four commercial fishermen while walking lakeside in the boondocks of Israel (Mk 1:16-20). Two pairs of brothers. Simon and Andrew. James and John. These boys drop all they’re doing and gain…well…everything.

This all goes down the day the Son of God asks the four fishermen if they’re willing to go His way. But in order to follow Him, they have to leave stuff behind. To keep up and we have to put stuff down. In order to go this way we have to put something down.

Buckle Up

Let’s get a running start at our story by catching up with Mark’s look at the life of Jesus. And when I say “running,” I’m not kidding. The particular bio doesn’t mess around. It’s no frills and pedal to the metal. John Mark gives us the original Fast and Furious. You probably want to buckle up.

First of all, Christ’s weird, bug eating, leather wearing cousin John the Baptizer does the work of getting folks ready for Messiah (Mk 1:1-8). As folks flock to John for baptism, the prophet is shocked to the One he’s prepping people for standing in line to get wet.

A Rare Public Appearance

My guess is John isn’t expecting what happens next. The Spirit tears apart the sky and soars down like a dove. The Father’s voice booms from heaven with the ultimate “attaboy!” (Mk 1:9-11).

Ladies and gentleman, I give you the Trinity. We see the Father, Son, and Spirit making a rare public appearance together at the Jordan River. It doesn’t happen often. But when it does, it’s a very big deal.

Playing a Road Game

Jesus’ first day on the job of His public ministry is actually a private one. The Spirit sends Him to play a road game in the most hostile environment possible (Mk 1:12-13). The place is the wilderness. The opponent is the devil.

Forty days later with a “W” under His belt, Christ rolls into Galilee broadcasting the Gospel of God (Mk 1:14-15). Repent from sin and believe in the Good News. Turn and trust. It’s Go Time.

Jesus Doesn’t Need You but He WANTS You

Jesus is about to assemble His team. It’s interesting when you think about it. As the Son of God, He really doesn’t need one. You do realize He could do this all by Himself, right? Christ doesn’t need them. He doesn’t need me. He doesn’t need you. But He WANTS us to be part of His mission. He’s still inviting us to join Him in His work today.

Now if you were putting together a small squad of spiritual ninjas that would change the world forever, where would you go? Who would you choose? What skills would you be looking for? I don’t know about you, but I’m heading to Jerusalem in order to draft the best and brightest from Jewish seminaries.

Average Joes

Once again, Jesus does just the opposite of what we would expect. Instead of climbing the ivory tower, He makes a beeline for blue collar boys. Instead of bright lights and big city, Christ takes a casual stroll in the boonies. Instead of looking for Bible scholars, He sees working stiffs. Average Joes.

As a matter of fact, religious bigwigs are blown away by just how average these guys were. After Jesus’ resurrection and return home to heaven, members of the Jewish leadership council describe Peter and John as “ordinary men who had no special training in the Scriptures” (Acts 4:13).

A closer look at the original language of the passage tells us this was actually a serious put down. They actually call them “illiterate idiots.” I’m not kidding. Not even one bit. They also made another powerful point that is just as important. There was no doubt that these men “had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

Knuckleheads, Goofballs, Weirdos, and Losers


Two thousand years later, Christ is still looking for average folks. Oh sure, He can certainly use highly trained scholars who have more degrees than Fahrenheit. On the other hand, He loves using the ordinary. And the Lord specializes in using knuckleheads, goofballs, weirdos, and losers. That’s exactly Paul’s point to that incredibly jacked up bunch of Jesus followers in Corinth (1Cor 1:27-28).

A New Kind of Fishing

Meanwhile, we see our Savior walking along the shore of Lake Galilee (v16). He spots a couple of those average Joes we’ve been talking about. Meet Simon and John. They’re fishing. This is no hobby. It’s their job. Their career. And it’s VERY hard work. Early mornings. Late nights. If something smells fishy, it’s probably these two.

As they’re throwing their nets, Jesus throws them a line. “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (v17). Stop what you’re doing, boys. The radical Rabbi/Carpenter has a whole new kind of fishing He wants to show you. But you’re going to have to drop what you’re doing in order to find out.

Get Over Here!

Christ’s invitation to “follow” is actually a pair of words in the Greek. The first is δευρο/deuro, which is an adverb meaning “come here” or an urgent call to come now! It draws one toward a goal at or near the speaker and implies movement. It’s Jesus’ way of saying, “Get over here!”

The second word is οπισω/opiso. It’s another adverb which means after, in back of, or behind someone or something. The term describes location, place, or position. The Lord invites the boys fall in behind Him so that He can show them where to go and what to do.

The Lord Leads

I’ve always got to remember that following Jesus means He’s in front. Our positions in this amazing relationship are critical. The Lord leads. I follow. He’s in front. I’m behind. Too many times I find myself behind the wheel or at least acting like an annoying backseat driver telling Him where we should go and how to get there.

He IS God. He knows exactly where He’s going. He knows EXACTLY when we need to get there. On the other hand, following is what followers do. Leave the leading to the only One who’s qualified. The Lord leads. I follow. Am I gonna go His way?

The Long Process

Jesus then makes a very interesting invitation to these dudes. He says if they will follow His lead, “I will show you how to fish for people!” (v17). Actually the folks who translate the ESV have a different take on our Savior’s words. “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men” (v17 ESV). If you think you’re a pro when it comes to fishing now, just wait until Jesus gets done with you!

Mark phrases it a little differently from Matthew (Mt 4:19) and Luke (Lk 5:10). He drops in a Greek word (Gr. γινομαι/ginomai) which means to be or become something. It emphasizes the long process involved in learning how to fish for people. It won’t happen overnight. Following Jesus places us in His process. It’s a process He promises He’ll finish (Phil 1:7).

Jesus Does the Heavy Lifting

In other words, all we have to do is hang with Jesus and He’ll do the rest. He’s the One doing the real work. He’s the One doing the heavy lifting. Our role in the process is to simply be obedient, simply do what He says. When we spend time with Him, hang out with Him, He’s the One who transforms us.

That’s what happens when we go His way. Jesus talks about it like a gardener over John’s Gospel. “Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). As branches, we don’t make anything unless we’re connected to the Vine. He’s the One that gets it done when we go this way.

You probably know what happens next. “And they left their nets at once and followed Him (v18).” Another example of things happening fast in Mark’s Gospel. Simon and Andy don’t waste any time. They take Jesus up on His offer. I can picture these two brothers chucking their gear and running home to pack.

Leaving the Family Business

Jesus doesn’t stop there. He moves on up the beach and has a similar conversation with another pair of commercial fishermen. James and his kid brother John are working for their dad Zebedee and fixing holes in their nets (v19). Well, not for long. Not when Jesus asks them to go this way.

“He called them at once, and they followed Him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men (v20).” Darned if Zeb’s boys didn’t bail on him to spend time with Jesus. Jim and Johnny didn’t just give up a career but turned their back on inheriting what appears to be a successful family business. Note that their dad has other employees.

The Rearview Mirror

Both sets of brothers leave something behind in order to hit the road with the Rabbi. Before we can follow Jesus, there’s a pretty chance we need to put something in the rearview mirror. Simon and Andy leave their nets and their careers. Jim and Johnny turn their backs on success in business.

When I walk His way, I need to put something down. And it’s probably something significant. Something big. Something of value. Something that has the potential to compete with affection for Jesus.

Distracted Discipleship

Have I left everything behind? Have I dropped it all in order follow my Savior? You’ve heard of distracted driving. We’re talking about distracted discipleship. I need to dump anything that might distract me.

What could possibly steal my focus from Him? Well, let’s take a look around. Maybe it’s a destructive habit? How about a hobby that’s gotten out of control? The drive for success, money, and security? It might even be a relationship you know is wrong and would lead you farther from where God wants you to go.
 
What am I trying to drag along with me while I follow Jesus? It’s a good idea to travel light when I go His way. I can’t let anything slow me down. Don’t worry about what you abandon. Christ came to give His followers “a rich and satisfying life” (Jn 10:10). When I leave stuff behind, He has something so much better to replace it.

Hitting the Road

All four fishermen become Jesus’ first followers. In both descriptions, Mark uses the same word we translate as “followed” (Gr. ακολουθεω/akoloutheo). It describes accompanying another and allowing them to determine the direction. It’s going behind someone who takes the lead. They’re going His way.

Interestingly, this comes from a root word meaning a road or journey. If that’s the case, being a follower paints a picture of a traveling partner. Few things deepen a friendship more than hitting the road with a buddy. It really doesn’t get any better when that buddy is Jesus.

The Back Story

I have to admit there was something that has always bugged me about these “Come, follow Me” Jesus stories. Anybody else think it’s just a little weird that four dedicated, hardworking commercial fishermen would ditch their careers just like that? Some random Rabbi makes a crazy offer out of left field and you chuck it all just like that in order to walk this way!

Well, as we said before, Mark’s story moves quickly. He’s not much for details. John’s Gospel helps us fill in the back story. You see, Jesus had met at least a couple of these guys before (Jn 1:35-42). Andrew was a follower of John the Baptizer (Jn 1:40). And given the way John never names Andy’s fellow disciple, he probably was too.

After the two hang out with Jesus for a bit, Andy gets his big brother Simon and brings him to meet the One he believes in the long promised Messiah (Jn 1:41). Andy has this habit of bringing of bringing people to meet Jesus (Jn 6:8-9; 12:22). Not a bad rep, huh?

The First Four

So when we read the story on the shore of with Jesus and the four fishermen, we need to remember they already had a relationship. They already knew each other. When Christ was ready to build His team, He knew exactly who to ask. These two pairs of brothers would be the first four to go this way. They’ll eventually have another eight guys on the team.

The Original Rocky

Jesus gives Simon the nickname Peter which actually means Rocky (Jn 1:42). As the Christ’s original first round draft pick, Pete becomes the leader of the Discipling Dozen. Unfortunately, Rocky crumbles under pressure and denies Jesus three times at the very worst time.

But in one of the great examples of grace you’ll ever see, the Lord restores Pete after His resurrection (Jn 21:15-18). And what are Jesus’ last words of restoration to this former fisherman as they walk along this very same beach? “Follow Me” (Jn 21:19).

There’s also an important connection to Rocky and Mark’s story of Jesus. One of the earliest church pastors says Mark’s Gospel is actually Peter’s eyewitness account of what it was like to say “yes” to Christ’s question, “Are you gonna go My way?”

Two Thousand Years Later

Fast forward a couple of thousand years. Jesus is still extending that same offer. The offer to follow. If we take Him up on it, there’s a good chance we need to do something first. We need to leave something behind. In order to go His way, we need to put something down.

It’s a decision we need to make each day. Are we going to follow Him diligently and without distraction? If so, what do I need to ditch? I promise you, whatever He gives you is WAY better than what you put down. You will not regret it.

So, Jesus has a question for us. Are we gonna go His way?

Monday, July 24, 2017

It's Go Time!




The Wait Is Over

It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for. Not just for the past few days or weeks, but years. Decades. Dare I say, centuries. It could be the birth of your first grandchild. Maybe it’s paying off your mortgage (Really? You can actually do that?). Your favorite team has finally won a championship (I’m looking at you, Cubs fans).

When we get the incredible news that what we’ve hoped for has finally happened, we can’t sit down. Tom Petty is right. Waiting is the hardest part. What’s even better is that the real deal is way better than anything we expected. Now that it’s here, the party is unavoidable!

It’s Go Time!

Mark’s Bio of Jesus

That’s the picture Mark paints in the opening chapter of his bio of Jesus. Let’s back up a bit. First, John the Baptizer preps people for Messiah’s arrival (Mk 1:1-8). When the sinless Son of God gets baptized, the other two Members of the Trinity can’t get there fast enough to celebrate (Mk 1:9-11).

Before Jesus starts spreading the Good News, the Spirit sends Him on the road for a duel in the desert with the devil (Mk 1:12-13). Christ dominates Satan in this forty-day slugfest. Spoiler alert: It won’t be the last time they tangle.

Palestine’s Hottest Reality Show

That’s where we pick up the action in John Mark’s story. “Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where He preached God’s Good News” (v14). As soon as the Lord gets back from His road victory over the evil one, He gets the awful news that His weird, bug eating cousin is behind bars.

Jesus’ other biographers fill in the blanks on what’s going down with the Baptizer (Mt 14:3-4; Lk 3:19-20). It’s like some sordid soap opera story line right out of “The Young and Restless.” Apparently, First Century Palestine’s hottest reality show is all about royalty. Just call it “Herod Hot and Bothered.”

A Royal Scandal

It all begins when King Herod Antipas steals his brother Philip’s wife Herodias. John the Baptizer calls them out publicly for their slimy sinfulness. Antipas tries to get on his lady’s good side by arresting John and shutting him up.

I don’t know about you, but I usually get my wife gifts like cards, flowers, or chocolate as a present…not a fur wearing prophet of God. Then again, when you’re openly sleeping with your sister-in-law, all bets are off.

Herod’s Sleazy Birthday Party

John the Baptizer eventually dies after one of the most twisted scenes you’ll see anywhere. Read it for yourself over in Matthew 14. At Herod’s incredibly sleazy birthday party, he has his own niece perform a little bump-and-grind for the crowd. This is actually in the Bible, people!!

As a result, the king tells Herodias’ daughter she can have anything her little heart desires. Must have been quite a dance. Mom whispers to her little girl and suggests a shiny silver platter topped with the severed head of that rather annoying John the Baptizer (Mt 14:1-11).

Galilee Bound

Meanwhile back in Mark, we see Jesus putting the Judean wilderness in His rearview mirror. “Jesus went into Galilee, where He preached God’s Good News” (v14). He’s headed 90 miles north. That’s the distance from where most folks put Christ’s baptism to Capernaum, the Galilean fishing village that will become the Lord’s home office.

As a matter of fact, Matthew’s Gospel makes the point of telling us the Baptizer’s arrest is exactly the reason our Savior decides to head His home turf of Galilee (Mt 4:12). Remember, He grew up just down the road from Capernaum in Nazareth. A hick town so backward that it provided the punchline to a local joke (Jn 1:46).

No Hidden Agenda

Once back in Galilee, Jesus begins broadcasting breaking news. Breaking GOOD News. Mark uses a word we translate as “preached” (Gr. κηρυσσω/kerusso), which describes a public proclamation or open announcement.

The radical Rabbi/Carpenter is not secretly spreading the Gospel. He doesn’t organize a whisper campaign. He has no hidden agenda. His mission and His message are to publicly proclaim that God’s long promised plan is unfolding right before their eyes.

The Messiah’s Method and Message

Jesus’ method is actually pretty simple. He hits all the synagogues in Galilee, openly announcing God’s Good News as well as miraculously healing people of sickness and disease (Mt 4:23). His miracles help folks realize His message is legit and He really is Messiah. He’s the Hero the prophets have predicted for thousands of years.

Because Jesus preached, God now calls us to preach Jesus. That’s exactly what His followers did in Acts as the Tsunami of Grace rolled all around the Mediterranean Rim (Acts 5:42; 8:12; 10:36; 11:20; 17:18; 28:31). Two thousand years later, methods have changed. But the message has not.

Loud and Proud


Keep it simple. Preach Jesus. Make Him famous. Do it loud. Do it proud. Tell a friend. Don’t freak out and think you must have every answer to every question. You don’t have to be the Bible Answer Man. Simply tell folks about what He’s done for you. Preach Jesus.

Christ rolls into Galilee “proclaiming the Gospel” (v14). The Gospel. Boy, talk about a word that has drags around a truckload of churchy baggage. In the original language, “Gospel” is compound noun (Gr. ευαγγελιον/euaggelion) which literally means “good (Gr. ευ-/eu-) message (Gr. -αγγελιον/-aggelion).”

When Good Is Great

Back in the Greco-Roman world, this word usually meant breaking news of a recent military victory. With no 24-hour cable news or internet (stop and think about THAT for just a minute!), the winning army would send a messenger sprinting back from the battlefield to let everybody know the good news. We won! Start the party! It’s what we’ve been waiting to hear!

Part of the problem is that we’ve lost the true meaning of “good.” For us, good simply describes good enough. Just barely above acceptable. His Good News is not just meh good but EXCELLENT GOOD! We’re talking and-the-crowd-goes-wild GOOD!! The Gospel of God is ticker-tape-parade GOOD!!!

God’s good is our GREAT! That’s because God Himself is THE definition of goodness. That’s why Jesus tells a young rich dude, “Only God is truly good” (Mk 10:17). God’s Good News is the greatest news!! It’s the news we’ve been waiting to hear.

Crushing Sin’s Skull

The Good News of God is that Jesus has come to do for us what we could never do on our own. What exactly is that? First of all, He defeats sin and death. This is the very same sin and death our first parents allowed to slither into God’s perfect creation (Gen 3:1-7). Christ has come to crush sin’s skull (Gen 3:15). That’s certainly party worthy by itself!

The Gospel is that Jesus came to live the perfect life of obedience to God’s commands that we could never live. Do you realize that we can never be good enough in God’s eyes when it comes to keeping His rules? Jesus’ kid brother says if we break one, we’ve broken them all (James 2:10). Sounds like we’re ALL in need of a Savior.

Doing What We Can’t

Just when we think all is lost and we don’t stand a chance, that’s where Christ comes in on our behalf. Jesus wants us to know He didn’t come to erase His Father’s commands from Scripture but fulfill every single one of them for us when we can’t (Mt 5:17). Paul writes about how God willingly trades His sinless Son for my steaming pile of self-salvation (2Cor 5:21).

The Good News also means Jesus’ substitutes Himself in my place at Calvary. He dies the death I should have died for my rebellion against His kingdom. And it that’s not good enough, He rises to a glorious resurrection life that I certainly do NOT deserve.

But the Good News doesn’t stop there. The Gospel is SO much more than our incredible opportunity to spend eternity with Jesus. When Christ returns for His spectacular encore, our Savior will restore God’s perfect creation back to where it belongs (Mt 19:28; Col 1:19-20; Rev 21:2). I told you this is Good News!

Holding Out for a Hero

Christ tells the folks of Galilee this is the moment they’ve all been waiting for. “The time promised by God has come at last!” (v15). A promise He made in the garden to Adam and Eve (Gen 3:15). A promise He makes over and over to folks like Abraham (Gen 12:1-3; 17:1-8), David (2Sam 7:9-16), and prophets named Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

The people of God have been waiting and waiting and waiting. From their perspective, it made the DMV look like a fast pass at Disney World. They wondered if it would EVER happen. They were holding out for a hero long before Bonnie Tyler recorded her hit tune. Well guess what, sports fans…this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for!

It’s Go Time!

Our On-Time God

The Apostle Paul put it this way. “When the right time came, God sent His Son” (Gal 4:4). Almighty God lives outside the river of time. He stands on the bank and sees the beginning, the middle, and the end. The beauty of being the Great I Am is always being in the present tense.

With that kind of perspective, His timing is perfect. He’s never early. He’s never late. He’s always right on time. He’s an on-time God. He’s an on-time Savior. Same with any problem you and I are facing. He’s STILL an on-time God. So when Jesus arrives two thousand years ago in Palestine, it’s not a moment too soon or too late.

It’s Go Time!

So Close You Almost Taste It

Once Jesus hits Galilee, He announces, “The Kingdom of God is near!” (v15). Not only is this what you’ve been waiting for but it is right here. So close you can almost touch it. So close you can almost taste it.

Just what is this Kingdom of God the Son of God is talking about? Mark gives us a few clues. First of all, it’s a mystery (Mk 4:11). That’s Bible talk describing something hidden for a long time and finally revealed. Our Savior is pulling back the curtain on the Kingdom.

The Kingdom Defined

God’s Kingdom is also a lot like someone spreading seeds (Mk 4:26). Jesus says it also belongs to kids (Mk 10:14-15). Yet it’s harder to get into than the most exclusive club. Christ says it’s almost impossible to enter even if you’re rich…ESPECIALLY if you’re rich (Mk 10:23-24). You can’t buy your way in.

In one conversation, the Messiah tells one of the so-called religious experts that he didn’t realize just how close he was to the Kingdom of God (Mk 12:34). On the night before His murder, Christ promises His crew that He won’t drink another drop of wine until He gets there (Mk 14:25).

Bringing Heaven to Earth

The Kingdom is near because wherever the King of Kings goes, His Kingdom goes with Him. A big part of His mission is to bringing God’s Kingdom down with Him. Sure, going to heaven when we die will be awesome. But you know what’s even better? Jesus bringing heaven to earth forever, once and for all!

That’s probably why He told His posse to pray to His Father to send it right away. “May Your Kingdom come soon. May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” (Mt 6:10). Imagine a day when stuff here on our broken and fallen world (which WE broke, by the way!) happens just like it does in the perfect rhythm of heaven. I don’t know about you, but that can’t happen fast enough.

Doing a 180

Jesus tells folks there are two important preps we must make for the coming Kingdom. “Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” (v15). Repent and believe. Turn and trust.

Let’s take those one at a time. “Repent of your sins” is actually one single Greek verb (Gr. μετανοεω/metanoeo) which describes a change of heart, turning from something toward something else. It’s a compound word which literally means “after (Gr. μετα-/meta-) thinking (Gr. -νοεω/-noeo).”

The Bad News Is REALLY Bad

“Repent” is another one of those super duper churchy words that conjures up visions of hellfire-spewing evangelists and summer tent revivals. But it’s actually one of THE most grace-filled ideas we’ll find anywhere. You see, repentance is actually a gift. Our incredibly gracious God grants us the privilege making a 180 when He doesn’t have to (Acts 11:18; 2Tim 2:24-25).

We can’t know the incredibly Good News without understanding the bad news. The bad news is that we’re all sinners. We’re all enemies of God’s Kingdom (Rom 5:10; Col 1:21). Rebels. Terrorists.

I told you the bad news is really bad. But repentance makes the Good News REALLY good! Jesus gives us the opportunity to turn from our self-centered, self-absorbed sinfulness and toward His grace and mercy. He gives me the amazing chance to spin from my sin.

Faithing

The second half of Jesus’ big announcement is for us to “believe in the Good News!” (v15). Now that we know what the Good News is, what exactly does the Lord mean by “believe”? One more time, a quick look into the original language will come in handy.

The word the NLT translates here as “believe” (Gr. πιστευω/pisteuo) paints a picture of placing your faith in something, trusting, or having complete confidence and assurance. It actually comes from the same root word as the Greek word for “faith” (Gr. πιστις/pistis). So believing is, shall we say, faithing.

Do You Smell What He’s Cooking?

Believing in the Good News is NOT working up some sort of inner gumption for God. That’s buying the lie that we can come up with enough belief on our own. Instead, believing in the Gospel IS placing your trust in who Jesus is and what He has done.

That’s because it’s WAY better to have a weak faith in a strong object than the other way around. And there’s no stronger object than Christ. Why do you think they call Him the Rock? If you smell what He’s cooking.

A little later, Mark will introduce us to the desperate dad of a demon-possessed little boy. The man not only pleads with Jesus to heal his son but honestly admits his own weak trust. “I believe. Help my unbelief” (Mk 9:24). Are you willing to offer the same prayer to our Savior?

How’s That Working Out for You?

In the end, Jesus’ talk about God’s Kingdom and the Gospel is all about turning and trusting. I must continually turn from my own jacked up way of trying to do life my own way. In the words of Dr. Phil, “How’s that working out for you?” Do I REALLY need to tell you?

The Good News is Jesus came so that we could do life the way God originally designed it. I can now turn from the dumpster fire I’ve started and turn toward my Savior.

Now that Jesus has arrived and brought God’s Kingdom with Him, there’s no time to waste. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. It’s time to repent. It’s time to believe. Turn and trust.

It’s Go Time!

©2017
Jay Jennings

Monday, July 17, 2017

God Plays a Road Game



Hostile Home Crowds

Going on the road against a great team and their rabid fans is one of the hardest ways to win in sports. Imagine taking the court against Duke. If the Coach K and the Blue Devils weren't difficult enough, you’ve got the Cameron Crazies to deal with.

Football fans don’t call LSU’s stadium Death Valley for nothing. Maybe they should call it Deaf Valley. Tiger fans are not only rowdy but, shall we say, “over served.” This joint is so loud that it’s hard to hear yourself think much less win.

And there’s what I think is the all-time worst hostile home crowd in sports history. Remember Rocky Balboa going on the road to Russia to face Ivan Drago in “Rocky IV”? Despite facing the ultimate home country advantage, the Italian Stallion not only knocks out Drago but communism too!

The Original Fast and Furious

As tough as these away games were, they’re nothing compared to Jesus’ throw down with the devil in the desert. Mark gives us a very brief but very descriptive account of our Savior’s temptation in the wilderness. And he does it just two verses. That’s right, two verses.

John Mark is the original Fast and Furious. He wastes no time getting right to the action his bio of Christ. Here’s a quick review of what’s already gone down here in chapter one. Buckle up. This one is zero-to-sixty in the blink of an eye.

After clearing the track of obstructions for the Gospel (Mk 1:1-3), then John the Baptizer has the honor of baptizing the only Person who doesn’t need to be baptized (Mk 1:4-9). Just as Jesus is coming up out of the water, the other Members of the Godhead can’t get there fast enough. The sky rips apart and the Spirit descends like a dove while the Father delivers a cosmic attaboy (Mk 1:10-11).

Mark’s Favorite Adverb

The Holy Spirit wastes no time getting to work in the life of the radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth. “The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness” (v12). The folks at the NLT translate Mark’s favorite adverb (Gr. ευθος/euthos) as “then.” What’s your favorite adverb? What? You don’t have one?

John Mark’s use of this fast-paced word is what puts his story of Jesus at full throttle. The author drops it more than forty times in his Gospel. Eleven of them are here in chapter one! See why I call ευθος/euthos his favorite adverb? That’s a little something that could come in handy during your next round of Mad Libs.

Jesus Hits the Road

Immediately after Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River, the Spirit sends Him on the road. The Third Member of the Trinity “compelled” (v12) the Son of God to play an away game. This a whole lot stronger language than Matthew and Luke use when talking about Jesus’ Spirit-led guidance into the wilderness (Mt 4:1; Lk 4:1).

The original text uses the verb εκβαλλω/ekballo, which can mean in a negative sense to force out, expel, or drive out. Such as when Jesus tosses out demons who terrorize people (Mk 1:34).

But it can also have a positive meaning, such as causing to go or sending away with a purpose. In Matthew, Christ tells His followers to pray “to the Lord of the harvest; ask Him to send (Gr. εκβαλλω/ekballo) more workers into the fields” (Mt 9:38). Let’s face it, we can ALWAYS use more hands working in the field!

Christ’s Season Opener


Mark’s point is that the Holy Spirit makes sure Jesus heads out on His first assignment. He’s on His way to His very first encounter of His three-and-a-half year ministry. It’s at the top of His messianic to-do list right after His baptism. The Lord has divine appointment…in the wilderness.

What can you and I take from the Spirit’s very first work in Jesus’ career? We must realize that God’s Spirit is not looking to lead us into the lap of luxury. Sometimes He sends us right INTO the fire! Don’t forget that God isn’t out to make us happy but holy.

Ever have that overriding urge to get involved in a cause or project that seems overwhelming or impossible? Could it be the Holy Spirit compelling you to leave home and play a tough road game? If Almighty God is calling us to do so, why are we continuing to schedule cupcakes at home?

The Lonely Place

So the opener on our Savior’s schedule is in the “wilderness” (v12). Talk about a tough way to start the season! A closer look at the original language tells just how tough it is. The Greek word translated “wilderness” (Gr. ερημος/eremos) literally means “the lonely place.”

Mark uses this word twice in these two verses. He’s making a point that Jesus is seriously off the grid. He’s out past the paved roads. There’s absolutely no cell service…even if cell phones had been invented. Bear Gryll’s territory.

It’s a big difference from the big crowds and long lines along the Jordan River where John the Baptizer was doing his thing. This place is totally abandoned. Desolate. Lonely. Not another human being. That’s why Mark calls it the lonely place.

Bookends of Loneliness

Loneliness bookends Jesus’ earthly ministry. First here in the wilderness. Later on the cross (Mk 15:34). Ever been completely abandoned? Maybe it was your spouse, your parents, your family, or your closest friends. Christ knows exactly what you feel.

Our Savior knew the ultimate loneliness so that by trusting in Him we would never have to. He went to the lonely place so that we don’t have to. This is one road game where there were absolutely not another person in the stands cheering for Him.

Getting Hangry

Mark describes how Jesus “was tempted by Satan for forty days” (13). Well, I know we’ve all had some bad days. But a personal assault by the personification of evil in the loneliest place imaginable for forty long days? It’s hard to wrap my brain around that.

Throw in the fact that both Matthew and Luke tell us Christ had ate nothing the entire time. Forget hungry. I would have been seriously hangry. That’s when you’re so hungry that you’re angry. It’s the perfect storm. Loneliness. Temptation. Satan. Forty days.

A Forty Day Slugfest

In two short verses, we read how the devil throws everything at Jesus. The enemy tries every trick in his demonic bag. The other Gospel writers tell us how Satan dangles physical hunger (Mt 4:3; Lk 4:3), threat of physical injury (Mt 4:5-6; Lk 4:9-11), and unlimited power (Mt 4:8-9; Lk 4:5-7). Each time, the Son of God uses the Word of God to counterattack.

But notice a not-so-subtle difference in Mark’s account from the other versions. Christ “was tempted for forty days” (13). While there was some sort of showdown at the very end, this temptation goes on for almost six weeks! Forget Rocky and Drago going fifteen rounds. This relentless slugfest goes forty days.

Surrounded by Killer Critters

It’s important to point out that Jesus and Satan weren’t totally alone. They weren’t duking it out in front of empty stands. Once again, Mark gives us a little tidbit we don’t get anywhere else. “He was out among the wild animals” (v13).

Clearly the devil isn’t the only danger in the desert! The writer describes these animals with a Greek word (Gr. θεριον/therion) meaning savage, brutal, and ferocious. This place is crawling with wolves, boars, hyenas, jackals, leopards, and snakes.

The wilderness reminds the best of us that we’re not at the top of food chain. Think the Cameron Crazies make playing the Blue Devils difficult? Try facing the REAL devil while dealing while surrounded by a crowd of truly killer critters at the same time! Taking the loss means you’re somebody’s lunch.

God’s Angel Army

While Jesus had no visible fans in the stands, that did NOT mean He was flying solo. Mark tells us that “angels took care of Him” (v13). The Father dispatches a battalion of His angel army to come alongside His one and only Son.

This sure seems to be a fulfillment of a prediction contained in the lyrics of the 91st Psalm. “For He will order His angels to protect you whenever you go. They will hold you up in their hands so that you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!” (Ps 91:11-12).

If you’ve placed your trust in Christ, you have angelic support even when you don’t realize it. Just because we don’t see them, it doesn’t mean they’re not there. What we can’t see, certainly can protect us.

A Clear and Present Danger

Here are a few incredibly important points for us from this duel in the desert. First and foremost, we have an enemy. The devil is a clear and present danger to every follower of Jesus. We can be sure that Christ has defeated Satan. But that doesn’t mean he can’t and won’t cause us problems.

Second, temptation is NOT a sin! Giving into it is. We might not like it but there are times when God allows the devil to use us for target practice. Just ask Job (Job 1:12; 2:6) and Peter (Lk 22:31-32). That’s why Jesus says we should strongly consider asking God to keep temptation us away from temptation a big part of our prayer life (Mt 6:13; Lk 11:4).

Our High Priest

Third, we’re going to fail at some point. While God gives us His Spirit in order to stand up under temptation, we’ll never bat 1.000 on this side of eternity. That’s why we desperately needed Jesus to leave the comforts of heaven and come as our ultimate High Priest.

Here’s how the writer of Hebrews describes it. “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He face all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Heb 4:15-16).

Opening on the Road

Jesus didn’t have to open with a road game. He didn’t have to play before a hostile crowd. He could have started with an easy opponent as a heavy favorite. But that’s not how Christ rolls.
In the moments after His baptism, the Lord walks straight into the wilderness and stares down Satan. And because He did, we have a Savior who can and will help us in our time of need. That includes the toughest, nastiest road games.