Demo Day

As Seen on HGTV

Who doesn’t love demo day? If you’ve watched any show on HGTV, you know exactly what I’m talking about. 

Sometimes it’s an older house that’s outdated and needs serious renovation. Other times there’s a safety issue. Maybe you plan to flip it. Other folks hope to take a historic home back to its original condition.

Stand Back!

Whatever the case, that’s when folks show up wearing hard hats, goggles, and gloves, armed with sledgehammers and pry bars. 

Before they can build the new, the old must go. It’s time to take this place down to the studs. You might want to stand back. Walls are coming down. Floors are coming up. 

A Messianic Makeover

Ever hear about the time Jesus personally gave His Dad’s house a messianic home makeover? In his bio of Christ, John Mark describes demo day at the temple in Jerusalem (Mk 11:15-19). 

It happens as we’re coming down the homestretch in the story of the second Gospel. Mark’s outline goes a little something like this. 

He opens with folks scratching their heads and trying to figure out just who this radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth really is (Mk 1:1-8:26). Could He REALLY be Messiah? 

The Long Awaited Hero from Heaven

Next, Jesus slowly pulls back the curtain on what it means for Him to be Messiah (Mk 8:27-10:52). Three times Jesus tells His team that He is indeed the long awaited Hero from heaven (Mk 8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34). 

There’s just one very important detail. He’s not the kind of Christ they’re expecting. He’s come to conquer sin and death, not the occupying Roman army.

In this middle section, it also looks like He’s turning everything upside down. In reality, He’s actually flipping things back the way they are supposed to be. We’ll get back to that flipping part in just a bit.

A Ticker Tape Parade

In the exciting conclusion of Mark’s Gospel, the author zooms in on the last week of the Lord’s life. This is when Jesus actually becomes the Messiah (Mk 11:1-16:20). 

The week gets off to a rocking start on the Sunday before Passover with a ticker tape parade into Jerusalem on a borrowed burro (Mk 11:1-11). The day ends with our Savior taking a look around the temple grounds before leaving town. We’ll soon see it’s a recon mission.

A Figless Fig Tree

Then on His way to the temple on Monday morning, hungry Christ curses a figless fig tree (Mk 11:12-14). Don’t make the mistake of thinking this is about the tree. Nope. This ties directly to what’s about to happen when they get back to the temple.

That Escalated Quickly

We pick up the action as Jesus and His team hit town. “When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices” (v15).

In the words of Ron Burgundy, that escalated quickly. The Son of God doesn’t waste any time. He right to work from Jump Street. He begins by chasing out everyone involved in the hustle for religious requirements to worship.

God’s Rules for Worship

So why have folks set up some sort of open air market at the the temple in the first place? It’s because God has set down some VERY specific guidelines when it comes to worship. 

That’s a huge part of the law which Yahweh gives Moses along with His Top Ten on Mount Sinai (Ex 20:1-26; 23:10-19; 25:1-31:18; Lev 1:1-8:4; 11:1-17:9; 19:1-8; 21:1-24:16). God lays down clear-cut and exact rules when it comes to sacrifice.

There’s No Business Like God’s Business

Because of that, it’s almost impossible for worshipers to make the long trip to Jerusalem from their hometowns with the required sacrifices. Your animals also must be without a single flaw. What happens if the priest gives your lamb the thumbs down?

The answer? Buy them up when you hit the temple courts. As the old saying goes, there’s no business like God’s business.And during the big holidays like Passover, business is VERY good.

A Very Profitable Enterprise

There are just a couple of problems with all this. First of all, this very profitable commercial enterprise is owned by none other than the family of the high priest. 

Let’s just say there’s a significant uncharge on anything you buy. Kinda like at the airport. How’s that $20 microwave burrito taste? Don’t forget to wash it down with a $5 bottled water.

Cluttering up the Courtyard

The second issue is the location of buying and selling. By all indications, this is what’s called the Court of the Gentiles. This outer court is the only place on the temple grounds where non-Jews could participate in their praise of God.

But apparently they couldn’t. Hebrew leaders are using a big chunk of it as a shopping center. Kinda like when your garage is so full of junk that you can’t park your car in it. Cluttering up the courtyard is one way to keep out those pesky Gentiles.

Tossing out the Trash

That’s the crazy and crowded scene Jesus’ sees when He arrives. It’s exactly what He expected to find. Remember how He got a sneak peek the day before (Mk 11:11)?

Christ wastes no time Monday morning. He quickly “began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices” (v15). He may not have a sledgehammer or a pry bar but that doesn’t stop Him from doing some serious demolition!

The word translated “drive out” (Gr. εκβαλλω/ekballo) is a compound Greek verb which literally means to throw out. And in this case, the Lord tosses out the trash. 

The Old Heave Ho

Matthew chooses the same term when writing about Jesus kicking demons to the curb in his Gospel (Mt 7:22; 8:16, 31; 9:33-34; 10:1, 8; 12:24-28). Luke uses it when the crew of a sinking ship “began throwing (Gr. εκβαλλω/ekballo) overboard” (Acts 27:18).

Jesus is asking nicely for these people to leave. He’s making them leave. He’s chasing them out. Giving them the old heave ho. They don’t have to go home but they can’t stay here!

And did you catch that He’s chasing away not just the sellers but their customers as well? Are these worshipers simply doing what’s convenient rather than what’s costly? Let me put it this way, sacrifice isn’t really a sacrifice if it doesn’t cost me anything.

Coins Jingling and Feathers Flapping

Christ’s demo day is just getting started. Next, “He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves” (v15). You can almost hear the sound of coins jingling and feathers flapping.

Maybe you’re like me and wonder why folks are offering financial services at the temple? Well there’s a tax which male worshipers must cough up when they visit. According to New Testament scholars, officials will only accept a specific currency called a Tyrian tetradrachma. 

Remember, this is Passover. Hebrews are pouring into Jerusalem from all around the Mediterranean Rim carrying the money of their current home country. Just like travelers exchange their currency when they’re abroad, same here. You can be sure they’re not exactly getting a great exchange rate.

Putting on the Squeeze

And what about those vendors who are “selling doves” (v15)? Why do they get a specific mention? I’m just spitballing here but let me take a shot.

God made specific provision in the OT for the poorest of the poor. They can offer much doves as their sacrifice rather than an a pricy lamb (Lev 5:7). Luke tells us that Jesus’ mom and dad were working class poor and took advantage of this cost effective option (Lk 2:24).

Is Christ ticked off that these dove vendors are putting the squeeze those who can least afford it? God continually calls His followers to stand up for those who can’t up for themselves.

A Catastrophe

Humor me as we take another dive into the original language. Check out the Greek verb the NLT translates as “knocked over.” It’s καταστρεφω/katastrepho, which means to flip or turn over.

It’s the source of our word “catastrophe.” Webster defines that as “a momentous tragic event ranging from extreme misfortune or utter overthrow or ruin.” If you’re a money changer or dove seller at the temple, Webster might put your picture next to its definition.

Right Side up

Ultimately Jesus hasn’t come just to turn over a few tables and chairs at the temple. He’s here to turn it ALL over! But He’s not flipping things upside down. He’s flopping everything right side up! He’s turning Creation back the way it was originally meant it to be.

Shutting down the Shortcut 

Christ didn’t just upset the buyers and sellers. “He stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace” (v16). While I HUGE respect the folks who bring us the NLT, that’s not exactly the best translation of the Greek.

A more accurate way would be to say the Lord did not tolerate anyone to carry anything through the temple area. In other words, He stops folks from using it as a shortcut. Interestingly, Mark is the only Gospel writer to drop this nugget.

Using God as a Shortcut

A.T. Robertson writes that religious leaders had a rule against using any part of the house of God as a shortcut. For whatever reason, they’re looking the other way and not enforcing it. 

This may seem a bit harsh at first glance but here’s our Savior’s point. Stop taking the temple for granted. Worship of God isn’t a shortcut to anything else. Stop using God to get anything but God!

A Hot Mess in the House of God

Remember that whole cursing the figless fig tree deal (Mk 11:12-14)? Just minutes after Jesus dumps a barrel of spiritual RoundUp on the tree, He’s kicking tail at the temple. 

Now we found out what He’s REALLY upset about! He’s hot under His holy collar about the hot mess people have made the house of God. 

Mad for All the Right Reasons

The Lord is furious about what’s happening. He IS angry. VERY angry. But He did NOT sin. This is what some folks call righteous indignation. That’s being mad for all the right reasons. 

As the followers of Jesus, we should all be upset when we see things like injustice, crime, and corruption. Instead of sitting back on our blessed assurance, we need to take a stand. 

The problem is we look the other way on many of these issues but get our undies in a bundle when we’re the target of insults and criticism. Instead, let’s fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. Let’s be a voice for the voiceless. 

Not the First Time

One more thing. Do you know this is not the first time at Passover that Jesus has cut loose on folks doing business at the temple. John tells us how the Son of God actually used a whip to cause chaos a few years back in the beginning of His ministry (Jn 2:13-17). 

So here in the last week of His life, He does it again. Not only did the folks at the Hebrew home office miss His point the first time, but Christ creates a sandwich around His ministry. In the end, He wants people to know the temple is NOT the point. 

Drawing a Crowd

This is quite a scene. Merchants scooping up their money and running out. Foot traffic through the court has come to screeching halt. The word is out that the Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth has gone crazy in the Court of the Gentiles.

Jesus isn’t just clearing the court but He’s also drawing a crowd. You can bet people are beating feet to see what all the commotions about. 

From Temple Cleansing to Bible Study

The Lord uses this as a teachable moment for the quickly assembled flash mob. The ESV tells us He is “teaching them” (v17 ESV). He makes His point by telling everyone the reason for why He did what He did.

He turns the chaos of the temple cleansing into Bible study. “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will 

be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves” (v17).

A Pair of Prophetic Passages

Christ uses God’s Word to drive home His point. He mashes up a pair of prophetic passages from the Old Testament. Don’t forget, during Jesus day it’s the ONLY testament.

“My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations” is straight out of Isaiah 65:7. It’s a powerful reminder that God has set aside this particular place for people to talk with Him.

The International House of Prayer

While both Matthew and Luke quote Jesus’ words, Mark is the only Gospel author to include the phrase “for all nations” (v17). Think of it this way. Before pancakes were ever invented, there was the International House of Prayer.

What’s the Lord’s point? First of all, He’s in the Court of the Gentiles. That’s the only part of the place where non-Jews are allowed to pray and worship. 

Throwing the Doors Open Wide

It’s also a hint at what’s right around the corner. It won’t be long before Jesus will throw the doors of God open wide to anyone and everyone.

The Son of God is saying His Dad didn’t just have the Temple built as an exclusive club for the Jewish people. In the end, it’s for EVERYBODY! Think back to God’s promise to bless Abraham and His chosen people (Gen 12:1-3). 

God tells Abraham that His blessing won’t stop at the Hebrews. “All the families of the earth will be blessed through you” (Gen 12:1:3). When it’s all said and done, He’s gonna drench the whole world with His grace! 

An Overpriced Mini-Mall

Jesus says there’s just one problem with that. “But you have turned it into a den of thieves” (v17). The second half of Christ’s quote comes from the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 7:11).

He makes it clear that Jewish leaders have transformed this God ordained prayer area into an overpriced mini-mall. Imagine people on a fixed income required to shop on Rodeo Drive. With all the tables and chairs, worship is next to impossible for non-Jews.

A Hangout for Thieves

In calling this “a den of thieves” (v17), He wants everyone to know that the temple has become the home to religious corruption, embezzling, and extortion. Don’t forget. God put stealing in His original Top Ten list (Ex 20:15).

The Message pulls no punches with its take on Jesus’ words here. “You’ve turned it into a hangout for thieves” (v17 The Message). Instead of being a hideout for criminal activity, God’s church should be a sanctuary for sinners like you and me.

The House ALWAYS Wins

Here’s another way of picturing what’s going on. They’ve turned God’s temple into a casino. Now I’m not saying that gambling is sin. It certainly can be incredibly destructive. 

One thing for sure, the house ALWAYS wins! While I’m not buying the line that “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” But you can bet your money will stay there! Kinda like what’s happening at the temple in Jerusalem.

Putting a Hit on the Son of God

The Hebrew head honchos hit the religious roof when they get wind of Christ creating chaos in the temple courts. “When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill Him” (v18). 

How mad are they? Mad enough to begin plotting how to get rid of this Nazarene troublemaker once and for all. They don’t just want Him to shut up and go home. They want Him dead. They put a hit on the Son of God.

A Passover Powder Keg

There’s just one issue before they kill the Christ. “But they were afraid of Him because the people were so amazed at His teaching” (v19). Don’t forget. It’s Passover. The place is packed. Jerusalem is a powder keg.

This radical Rabbi has the huge crowds hanging on His every word. He astounds His crowds both with what He says and how He says it. 

Dropping Jaws from the Beginning

Jesus has been dropping jaws from the beginning. Here’s how it went down back in Capernaum. “The people were amazed at His teaching, for He taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law” (Mk 1:22).

For the religious power players to challenge Him now would be a big mistake. If only they had a mole inside Jesus’ team. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Getting in the Way of God

A couple of thousand years later, you may be wondering what does all this have to do with you and me? I mean, it’s not like we’re exchanging shekels or selling animals for sacrifice. (You aren’t, are you?!?)

Let’s look at it another way. What have I put in my life that gets in the way of my relationship with Jesus? Are there habits, routines, or even rituals that have nothing to do with knowing and worshiping God that actually keep me from Him?

Making the Non-Essential Necessary

Have you made stuff that’s non-essential to your faith absolutely necessary? Worship style? Bible translation? Denomination? 

Has your personal worship time with Jesus simply become a way of punching the spiritual time clock or checking a box on your religious to-do list? Don’t just read for information. Read for transformation! 

Demo Day in Your Devotional Life

Think of these moments as divine appointments with the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. If He can make time for you, can’t you squeeze Him into your busy calendar?

Jesus may need to drop by for a little demo day in your devotional life. 

Obstacles for Others

Also, what have I put in my life that gets in the way of others’ relationship with God? Is there anything I’m doing or saying that’s an obstacle for somebody else moving closer to Christ?

I realize I may be stepping on some toes but here goes. Self-righteousness? Lack of repentance? Hypocrisy? Anger? Pride? Prejudice? 

Busy Building Roadblocks

It’s easy to understand why Ghandi said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike Christ.” Why are we so busy building roadblocks rather than shining light and spreading salt?

If that describes you and me, it’s time for Christ to swing by and flip over the furniture. 

A Sneak Peek

There’s one more thing. Jesus is actually provided a sneak peek at the real demo day at the temple that’s right around the corner. In AD 70, God will allow the Romans to destroy it all. 

Why does He let this happen? Because there’s absolutely no need once the sinless Lamb of God provides the ultimate sacrifice and takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29; Heb 9:26-28; 10:10-12).

Borrowing an Idea from Jesus

Shows like “Fixer Upper,” “Flip or Flop,” and “Property Brothers” understand the appeal of demo day. But they’re simply borrowing an idea Jesus used back at the temple. 

The question is…what work does He need to do in your life?

©2020

Jay Jennings

A Little Pop Quiz

Blindsided by the Teacher

Man, I dreaded a pop quiz back in the day.

You remember those pesky little buggers, don’t you? Your rear end has just hit the seat at school. But before you have a chance to hand that do-you-like-me-check-yes-or-no note to the cute girl behind you, the teacher blindsides you with an unexpected test.

No Cramming for the Exam

Put your books under your desk. Get out a blank piece of paper and a number two pencil. There were no laptops or tablets when I went to class in a previous millennium. Just you and what you knew stepping into the octagon against a handful of unanticipated questions.

You don’t have a chance to cram for this exam. That’s why they call it a pop quiz. It’s the teacher’s way of ambushing you in order to find out what you’re learning along the way.

Catching His Crew Off Guard

Did you know Jesus surprised His disciples with a pop quiz? Mark describes the day the greatest Teacher ever catches His crew off guard with eight questions while they’re taking a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee (Mk 8:14-21).

The Lord isn’t looking to see how much they know. As the Son of God, He already understands that better than they do. He asks them these questions so that THEY will know what they DON’T know. As it turns out, they don’t know much.

Who Is Jesus?

You see, a huge theme in the second Gospel is who is Jesus. The first eight chapters of Mark are chockfull of encounters with all sorts of folks trying to figure out His identity. His family. His followers. The powerful. The powerless. The sick. The disabled. The demon-possessed. The hurting. Who is Jesus?

For just about everyone, it comes down to one possibility. Could He REALLY be the Hero from heaven God has promised to send for centuries? Can this radical Rabbi/Carpenter from the backwater village of Nazareth actually be the Messiah they’ve been waiting for?

A Galilean Boat Ride

We pick up the action with Jesus and His twelve disciples cruising in a fishing boat across a large freshwater lake in northern Israel. Since at least four of His closest followers are commercial fishermen, it’s no shock that this is the team’s preferred form of transportation.

Ganging up on the Son of God

Our Savior has just left an awkward confrontation with a group of Pharisees in the seaside town of Dalmanutha (Mk 8:11-13). It’s not their first dust up and certainly won’t be the last. These arrogant religious know-it-alls continually bully Jewish believers.

In their latest showdown, the Pharisees gang up on Jesus and demand that He put on some supernatural dog-and-pony show and prove He’s legit. If they’ve missed the miraculous signs He’s repeatedly provided, that’s on them. They’ll get nothing and like it.

“I Thought YOU Brought Lunch”

As the camera zooms in on the little ship, the Twelve suddenly realize they’ve got a problem. “But the disciples had forgotten to bring any food. They had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat” (v14).

The boys have dropped the ball when it comes to lunch. There are no drive-thrus or convenient stores out on the lake. No one packed a cooler of snacks or sandwiches. All they have with them is a little bit of bread.

That won’t go very far with thirteen hungry guys. That’s equivalent to sharing a single bag of honey roasted peanuts with the rest of the passengers on a cross country flight. If you’ve flown lately, you know that’s too much of a stretch.

Mark’s Tasty Little Morsel

Like many stories about Jesus, this same incident gets some ink in more than one of the four Gospels. Matthew also describes the same event. But Mark is the only place we read the detail about the lonely loaf.

Where would the author get this tasty little morsel? Well, most members of the very early church believed Mark’s source for his bio of Christ is none other than the Apostle Peter. In other words, we could just as well call this document the Gospel of Peter as told to Mark.

Jesus Jumps in

While they’re trying to figure out where they’re going to grab some grub, Jesus jumps in and interrupts them. “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod” (v15).

Notice how the Lord issues a double barrel warning to the boys. He tells them not just to “watch out!” but also to “beware.” Whatever He’s talking about must be a big deal not just for the Twelve but for you and me as well.

Don’t Miss This!

Let’s take a quick look at both of these words of warning. First of all, “watch out” (Gr. οραω/orao) means to see either with your eyes or your mind. It literally describes staring intently at something.

Pay very close attention. Focus! Don’t miss this! It’s a lot like when an over-served friend asks you to hold their beverage and says, “Hey y’all, watch this!” You don’t want to miss what’s about to happen. It’s time to get out your phone and start shooting video.

Be Wary of Potential Danger

Jesus backs that up with “beware” (Gr. βλεπω/blepo). This Greek verb paints a picture of seeing clearly, getting a good look at something or someone in order to process and understand what’s going on. To beware is to be wary of potential danger.

The Lord basically tells His team to pay close attention and focus not once but twice. Do you see what’s going on? I mean what’s REALLY going on?!? Do you understanding what you’re seeing? Do realize the potential danger of the situation?

Be Fully Present

It’s a powerful encouragement to somebody like me who has a tendency to wander through life obliviously. Too many times, I simply am not paying attention to what’s going on. My mind is somewhere else.

Jesus wants every one of us to be all there. Be fully present. Pay attention. The very name of God is Yahweh, which means “I Am Who I Am” or “I Will Be Who I Will Be” (Ex 3:14).

One of the things that’s so great about the Great I Am is that He is ALWAYS fully present. Since He made us in His image (Gen 1:26-27), we need to be fully present wherever we are.

See the Big Picture

That means seeing the big picture. That means not living in the regret of yesterday or the worry of tomorrow. Wherever you are, be all there.

Henry David Thoreau puts it this way. “It’s not what you look at that matters. It’s what you see.” Don’t just open your eyes but engage your brain and your heart. Pay attention to your current situation and surroundings.

Going Gluten-Free?

Back in the boat, Jesus is NOT wanting His team to pay closer attention to the sanitation grades of local eating establishments or the expiration dates on loaves of bread. He wants them to see what’s REALLY going on.

But the boys believe when the Lord warns about yeast that He’s talking about bread. Wrong. He’s not giving the guys His two-cents worth when it comes to artisan loaves or going gluten-free. Not even close. He wants them to zoom out and pay attention to the bigger picture.

Do You Smell What Jesus’ Is Cooking?

The key to Christ’s words here is the phrase “the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod” (v15). No, these religious leaders haven’t gone into the bakery business with the king. But Jesus wants His team to smell what they’re cooking.

At first glance, who can blame the boys for thinking about bread. The word we translate “yeast” (Gr. ζυμη/zume) literally means leaven. For those of you who don’t know their way around the kitchen (and that includes me), it’s the essential ingredient that causes bread to rise.

A Little Science Lesson

Before we get into what Jesus IS talking about, let’s take a moment to discuss the science behind yeast. Don’t worry. This will NOT be on any pop quiz. I promise. But it will help us understand the Lord’s warning.

Yeast is a tiny critter which contains an enzyme that’s a catalyst in both baking bread and brewing beer. It’s essential ingredient which basically speeds up the transformation of sugar into alcohol and CO2.

A Chemical Catalyst

It’s what scientists call a catalyst. That’s a substance which increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing permanent change. In other words, it’s a tiny ingredient that radically changes everything except itself.

In other words, yeast is a small quantity with a much larger impact. It doesn’t take much but it’s permeates everything. It remains unchanged. It breaks stuff down. In the Bible, yeast is used to describe something small with a huge influence.

An Itty Bitty Beast

Jesus actually uses yeast as a positive metaphor for what God’s up to. He compares the beginning of God’s kingdom to how a baker uses a tiny amount of yeast to cause bread to rise (Mt 13:33; Lk 13:21). Something so small that makes a massive difference.

But most of the time, the writers of Scripture see yeast as an itty bitty beast. Paul uses yeast as a way to warn the Corinthians that even the tiniest hint of sexual sin in a church can have disastrous effect (1Cor 5:6-8).

In a letter to believers in Galatia who’ve allowed religious hucksters to derail their faith, the apostle sounds the alarm. “This false teaching is like a little yeast (Gr. ζυμη/zume) that spreads through the whole dough!” (Gal 5:9). As Tullian Tchividjian likes to say, Jesus plus anything equals nothing.

A Hard Look in the Mirror

Back in the boat, the Lord wants His disciples to know the hidden dangers of this so-called yeast. Over in Luke, Christ tells a big crowd that the Pharisees’ yeast is actually hypocrisy (Lk 12:1). That’s when you get more concerned about your image that your heart.

We all need to take a long hard look in the mirror and ask ourselves if we more concerned about who we appear to be than who we really are. Over and over, God’s Word makes the point that real and lasting change doesn’t happen from the outside in, only from the inside out.

Take off the Mask

The Gospel is anything but fake it until you make it. Be real. Be honest. Take off the mask. Stop pretending you’ve got it all together. Admit you need help. As the old saying goes, the first step to getting help is admitting I’ve got a problem. And I’ve got a BIG problem!

Playing the Blame Game

The Lord’s warning triggers a rousing round of the blame game among the boys in the boat. “At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread” (v16). I thought YOU were going to bring it! Why do I ALWAYS have to take care of lunch?

We’re not sure how long the great bread feud goes on but Jesus jumps right in and drops the first question of His pop quiz. “Why are you arguing about having no bread?” (v17). He wants them to know they’re fighting over something that doesn’t really matter.

Missing the Point of the Mission

How many times do we do that? We get all bent out of shape squabbling over an issue that doesn’t mean a hill of beans from the eternal perspective. We totally miss the point of our mission and tear into each other over trivial things.

I hate to say it but this is how denominations get started. It happens when we argue over stuff like worship style, how to baptize, what communion means, just to name a few. Shouldn’t we be way more concerned with telling folks about the life-saving message of Jesus than the color of the church carpet?

Three Huts

It reminds me of the story about the man discovered living alone for years on a deserted island. Think Tom Hanks in “Cast Away.” His rescuers ask him why are there three huts if he’s all alone.

The man explains, “This is where I live. The next is where I go to church. The other one is where I USED to go to church.” Yeah, it doesn’t take much for us to get upset at what goes on where we worship that we take our ball and go to a new church.

Stopped in Their Tracks

It appears something else has joined them aboard the boat. Crickets. Jesus’ first question stops the disciples in their tracks. Can’t you just picture them staring blankly at each other? Now that the Lord has their full attention, the infighting has stopped.

Question Number Two

Christ doesn’t waste any time before dropping the second question of His pop quiz. “Don’t you know and understand even yet?” (v17). The first question is about the bread. The second is about the head. What’s going on upstairs, gents?

Notice how the Son of God teams up a couple of similar words here. He wants to them to slow their roll and help them realize what they “know and understand.” Better yet, what they DON’T “know and understand.”

Putting the Pieces Together

The first word here is the Greek verb νοεω/noeo. It means to comprehend on the basis of careful thought and consideration. To understand. To think over a matter with care. Gents, stop arguing for a Mississippi minute and engage your brain.

The word the NLT translates as “understand” is συνιημι/suniemi. The term is similar to the first but goes a step further. It describes being wise and applying what you know. It literally means to set or bring things together. Think of assembling the pieces of a puzzle.

We need to remember that these boys aren’t the brightest bulbs in the biblical box. We see them as superstar saints. The truth is they’re just average Joes like you and me. Jesus only uses average, broken, and sinful people. Why? It’s all He has to work with!

From the Head to the Heart

Question three of the quiz drops eighteen inches south from the noggin. “Are your hearts too hard to take it in?” (v17). Christ wants them to realize that when we repeatedly fail to wrap our heads around who He is and what He’s doing, we’re in danger of cardiac calcification.

The longer we want things our way and fight for our own point of view, we become harder to move. Our hearts slowly and steadily start to stiffen. Before you know it, we’re not going anywhere. When that happens, I suddenly become the newest member of the Hard Hearts.

Eyes and Ears

Next Christ asks questions four and five. “You have eyes—can’t you see? You have ears—can’t you hear?” (v18). Is He worried that His twelve closest followers are suddenly now both visually and hearing impaired?

Not so much. It’s the Lord’s way of pointing out to His team that if they had really been watching and listening, they wouldn’t be worried about lunch. They looked but didn’t really see. They heard but didn’t really listen.

A Little Digital Detox

In doing so, Jesus dusts off an OT warning from God made to His people through Jeremiah 600-plus years before (Jer 5:21). If they had been paying attention, they wouldn’t have been blindsided by their all expense paid trip to Babylon.

Once again, these questions should cause us to slow our 21st Century roll. I admit I’m rather addicted to all my devices. I’m so busy sticking my nose in the nearest screen that I miss the reality all around me. It’s probably time for a little digital detox. Care to join me?

Question Number Six

This brings us to question number six. “Do you remember anything at all?” (v18). Jesus isn’t asking them to recite the book of Leviticus or if they can name all the Caesars in order. He just wants the guys to remember what they’ve seen over the past few days!

Weren’t the disciples right there in the suburbs of Tyre when Christ healed the daughter of a desperate mom (Mk 7:24-30)? How about the time He used His supernatural spit to restore the hearing to the deaf dude near the Ten Towns (Mk 7:31-35)?

The Math Portion

But what about those two major league miracle meals? Did the Twelve blank on those as well? Jesus cuts to the chase with the next couple of questions in His pop quiz. You’ll see that we’ve come to the math portion of the exam.

“When I fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread, how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up afterward?” (v19). Notice that Jesus wants His team to remember what He did and what they did (Mk 6:30-44).

Our Savior fed the 5,000. Not the disciples. Not anybody else. He wants them to never forget the mental picture of the all the leftovers. He wants them to remember how blown away they were by the abundance He created.

The guys answer, “Twelve” (v19).

Bigger Buckets

But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He brings up His second all-you-can-eat-bread-and-seafood buffet. “And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how many large baskets of leftovers did you pick up?” (v20).

He not only wants them to remember the details of His amazing encore including how they used bigger buckets the next time 

around.

The guys answer, “Seven” (v20).

It’s NOT about the Bread

Christ closes the quiz by asking His crew one last thing. “Don’t you understand anything yet?” (v21). He uses the same word (Gr. συνιημι/suniemi) we saw back in question number two. After everything you’ve seen, have you put anything together yet?

Don’t you get it, guys? It’s NOT about the bread. If they have a clue, they would realize that the one loaf they do have is more than enough when they give it to Jesus.

Engage Your Brain

God wants us to engage our brains as part of our trust in Him. Don’t make the mistake of believing we must check our minds at the door whenever we accept the Lord’s invitation to follow. In the opening chapter of Isaiah, He encourages us to brainstorm with Him. “Come now, let us reason together” (Is 1:18 ESV).

Let’s make sure we don’t get cocky. Stop being a Bible know-it-all. When we do, we’re just being 21st Century Pharisees. That’s EXACTLY what Jesus is warning against with the boys in the boat.

A Humble Former Pharisee

None of us will have a full grasp until we join Jesus in eternity or when He makes His spectacular encore, whichever comes first. Paul puts it this way. “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in the mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely” (1Cor 13:12).

If the dude who wrote a big chunk of the NT has the kind of intellectual humility, who are we to think we’re hot stuff? Don’t forget that the Apostle Paul is the Pharisee formerly known as Saul (Acts 23:6; Phil 3:5).

The Littlest Danger

The purpose of Jesus’ eight question pop quiz is help the Twelve realize how much they don’t know. He wants us all to know what really matters. First, it’s NOT about the bread. He’ll provide everything we ever need. Remember that whole daily bread thing (Mt 6:11; Lk 11:3)?

His bigger point is all about the littlest danger. We need to beware of the hidden beast of  hypocritical yeast. Don’t ignore the risk of something so seemingly insignificant that has the power to do so much damage.

A Computer Virus

I wonder if Jesus were teaching this same lesson today if He might use the picture of a computer virus. Allowing the most minuscule malware onto a hard drive can take it all down.

Sin may seem small but it has the power to infect our personal operating system and corrupt our relationship with Christ. As followers of Jesus, let’s regularly allow the Lord to scan our hearts and minds and remove the virus (Ps 139:23-24).

Our Teacher’s Point

Okay, I’m still not crazy about pop quizzes, but I understand the Teacher’s point. He wants me to keep me on track. He wants me to realize what I don’t know. He wants His best for me.

Any questions?

©2018

Jay Jennings