July 24
Mark 11:27-33
It is okay to ask Jesus questions, as we have previously learned. But the elders in today's scriptures were not honestly seeking answers from Jesus. They were not people wanting to learn more about Jesus; but hard hearted men who were trying to accuse Jesus of doing something wrong. Jesus, of course, knew their hearts. He knew that they weren't seeking truth, and therefore He didn't give it to them. These men had already made up their minds about Jesus, and He knew that no matter what He said it wouldn't change them. These verses and the principle seemed to be pretty straight forward today, and I don't have anything else to say. I want to know what you got out of it........
Principle: Those who refuse to accept the authority of Jesus will not receive more truth.
Application:
1. In what ways am I acting or living that reveal I am questioning the authority of Jesus in my life?
2. What biblical truth am I refusing to believe?
3. What hard question from Jesus am I trying to avoid answering by saying, "I don't know"?
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The Jews asked Jesus a good question, but with the wrong motive. Jesus returned fire with a question they put them in a no win situation. That's the heart of this passage, I think. But I want to reflect on "by what authority..." We live in a world where people treat religious truth like a salad bar. I'll take a little bit of this and some of that but I'll pass on this other because I don't like it. Most people blend whatever religious truth appeals to them to form their own personal truth system. For many people this includes believing that...
ReplyDelete1. There is a real heaven.
2. There is not a real hell
3. Most people will go to heaven because most people do more good than bad.
4. I'm a good person and on that basis I have a good chance of getting to heaven.
5. The Bible's views on divorce, tithing, homosexuality, cursing, living together before marriage, lying, being active in church, the final judgement, etc. are either no longer in effect or misunderstood.
I think, "by what authority do you believe what you believe" is an excellent question. God's word is the truth and the only valid authority for what we believe.
Re: John Swadley comments ...
ReplyDeleteAmen!
Okay, so even before I read the Scripture for today, I glanced at your words, Sarah, and read, "It is okay to ask Jesus questions." At that moment, I was convicted that I have a question that I haven't asked Jesus outright. I've been wrestling with it and thinking about who I could ask to get some answers, but I haven't asked the Source of Truth. I prayed around this issue, but I haven't really taken it to Him. So today I asked. Then I read the Scripture, and then I read your questions and the remainder of your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteQuestion One stood out to me because I wasn't openly rejecting Jesus' authority, but I was passively rejecting it. When I fail to recognize that taking Jesus an issue that is troubling to me is what I should do, I'm failing to realize that Jesus has authority over this issue too. He has the answer. And I have been blessed when I have sought Him on other issues; silly me for forgetting to ask Him about this one.
I had mentioned before that I have a trip to Ct. planned in Oct. to see my "cultural Christian" family and friends. The "personal truths system" that you describe, Bro. John is exactly the stumbling blocks that will be before me. I hope I can remember that statement “by what authority do you believe what you believe". I can be very intimidated with some of the "worldly" questions that get asked especially if I am the only Christian in the discussion. I know that feeling Andrea, silly me, I certainly will not be alone there (or anywhere for that matter!)God will give me the words to say in spite of myself! Then I will have to be obedient and speak His words without fear. The answer that the priests, teachers and elders gave, “I don’t know” was definitely the easy way out.
ReplyDelete