Scripture: Mark 10: 32 - 45; Psalms 104:1-9; Hebrews 5:1-10 and Isaiah 53:4-12
Title: "WARTS AND ALL"
Theme: Self-surrender/sacrifice/servanthood
Proposition: Through a series of trials and errors Jesus is able to teach His disciples the true walk of a disciple - that of self-surrender/sacrifice/servanthood
INTRO:
Have you ever heard of a painter named Sir Peter Lely? Until this week, I don't know if I had ever read about him or knew anything about him. Sir Lely was born nearly 400 years ago in 1618. Who exactly was he and why is he important? Sir Peter Lely was a famous Dutch painter whose particular skill predates what we call today photo shopping. air brushing or photo manipulation.
I think we all have seen some pictures that have been air brushed or photo shopped. All you have to do is to look at some glamour shots of the Hollywood stars and you can tell that someone has enhanced their pictures to look their best. Some the artists have air brushed away a few wrinkles or added some color to their hair. They have done whatever they could to make the person look as perfect as possible.
Way before there was photography, there were artists like Sir Peter Lely who would do the same when he painted someone's portrait. He would paint what the person wanted people to see and not always what they actually looked like at the time. He became famous for doing such work for the royalty of England, for the likes of King Charles II and Queen Mary II. Lords and ladies wanted him to paint them because they knew that possessed the skill to fix whatever was necessary so that their portraits would be beautiful hanging in their front rooms. He had a flair for taking care of blemishes and imperfections.
However, not everyone was fond of this aspect of Sir Lely's work. Some wanted him because of his great artistic ability to paint but they choose not to allow him to change their looks. One of those was a man by the name of Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell had risen to power during a very turbulent time in English history. He was a revolutionary, who wanted England to be governed by a Parliament instead of being dictated by a king. Rising to ultimate power though military means, Oliver Cromwell became what he called the First Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Ireland and Scotland. He had replaced the royalty and was doing his best to rule by way of a modified democracy. His rule however, was short lived as he discovered that it was much easier to be a revolutionary than it was to be a ruler. It wasn't long until Cromwell was doing the same things that he had revolted against.
Anyway, Lord Cromwell commissioned Sir Peter Lely to paint his portrait. Sir Peter readily agreed and was proceeding to paint a rather handsome painting of Oliver Cromwell. However, it seems that Oliver suffered from a number of warts and other facial maladies and so Sir Peter was going to use his skill and touch up what was necessary. Cromwell would have none of it. It is recorded that Cromwell told Sir Lely the following:
“Mr. Lely, I desire you would use all your skill to paint your picture truly like me, and not flatter me at all; but remark all these roughness, pimples, warts, and everything as you see me. Otherwise, I will never pay a farthing for it.”
It is from that encounter that we get the phrase - "warts and all". Meaning that we have to see and view something or someone as they truly are, not concealing the less attractive parts. Not photo shopped or air brushed. Just reality.
It is in this same spirit that we see St. Mark writing his Gospel. Mark gives us the Story of Jesus, warts and all. He wants us to see the disciples and their comings and goings just as they truly were - "warts and all." Mark isn't interested in portraying the disciples as some kind of superhuman saints. Instead, he wants us to understand that they were ordinary flesh and blood humans who had been called by Jesus Christ. They were just like you and me.
He wants us to understand that it was with simply ordinary people, "warts and all", that Jesus set out to transform His world. It was with commonplace human beings that Jesus baptized with His Holy Spirit to preach, teach and witness about the Kingdom of Heaven. Mark wants us to understand that the world does not need super saints. Instead, it simply needs ordinary men and women who will allow Jesus to save them, sanctify them and empower them through His Holy Spirit. It does not mean that they will be perfect little Christian robots. It simply means that they will allow the Holy Spirit to infill them, lead them and continue to transform them into the image of Jesus Christ.
With all that in mind let's return back to our passage where it shares with us some key insights concerning what it means to follow Jesus. Key insights into the real lives of discipleship.
I. First of all, following Jesus may mean at times we act more like James and John and have our hearts set on the wrong things and even ask Jesus for the wrong things - verses 35-36
In verse 35 and on in verse 36, James and John want Jesus to simply do whatever they want or desire. They want Him to grant their request before they even ask it. We find out that they want Jesus to make sure that when He comes into His kingdom, that they will hold the two highest positions of authority and power.
It was their desire to be in control. They want to be at the head table managing the Kingdom. They want to be the ones who would replace the heads of the Roman Government. Pure and simple, James and John wanted to be leaders.
It should not really surprise us to hear their requests. After all, they were sons of a man who by ancient Palestinian standards was quite wealthy. Socially, they were members of the upper crust in the area of Galilee and possessed their own servants. No doubt their breeding relayed to them that they were a little superior to the other disciples. After all, more than once Jesus had included them in His inner circle of three. And so, they felt that they deserved to ask for the two highest positions.
At times we can find ourselves doing the same thing as James and John did here in verses 35- 36. We can find ourselves coming to Jesus and praying for some rather selfish things. We can find ourselves praying that the LORD will accept and endorse our personal agendas, opinions and suggestions. We can find ourselves praying to have some of our own personal wishes and wants satisfied. After all, if we have decided to follow Jesus, why shouldn't we ask for the moon. Actually, it would be highly unusual if we didn't. After, all we are human like James and John and who doesn't want a few perks?
Jesus absorbs everything they have to say. He doesn't dismiss James and John. He carefully listens to their requests. Then as we read, Jesus very carefully begins to help them understand what they truly need. He takes them from where they are and he gently leads them into a deeper understanding and walk with Him. He helps them to understand what it truly means to follow Him.
Jesus will do the same for us. It is natural for us to ask for selfish things from God. It is natural for us to ask for more of this or that. It's natural for us to ask for a better job, more money or a higher position. It is natural for us to want God to bless us with great things. It is natural for us to ask the LORD for favors and special treatment that will enhance our lives, our families lives and the lives of our friends.
Jesus understands all of that and if we allow Him too, He will work with us about all those things. He will take all those requests and those that need to be answered will be answered. Some of the requests will be put on a waiting list until we are ready for receive them. Others, Jesus will simply reject outright. They will never be answered. For some of our requests will be out of God's will for our lives.
As we grow in the LORD, we will see that more of our requests will line up with His will for our lives and for the Kingdom. For instead of wanting things, we learn that the most important thing in our lives is Him. We begin to come to the realization that it is all about God. It is all about loving God and being transformed into the image of Jesus.
However, none of that will happen overnight, or in a week, a month or even a year. It only happens as we walk with the LORD. It involves a great deal of growing spiritually. It involves a great deal of trial and error. It involves a great deal of self-surrender/sacrifice and serving. We must remember that even Job asked for things that were out of bounds and had to learn how to pray.
This morning, let us remember that when we ask for things and if we don't get them we have to realize that God either doesn't want us to have them at that time or perhaps at any time. The Lord is always open to our requests. However, like James and John we may not see every request answered in the fashion we want them.
II. Secondly, it may mean at times that we like James and John may forget who Jesus truly is - His true nature and mission (Isaiah 53:4-12; Hebrews 5:1-10)
James and John simply forgot who Jesus was and what His mission was all about.
+ They forgot that Jesus is the Suffering Servant - listen again to the words of Isaiah 53:4-12
+They forgot that Jesus is the one who lives in full obedience to His Father - listen again to the words of Hebrews 5:1-10.
Both passages made it clear that Jesus did not come to be served but to serve. Jesus did not come to rule over men but to live a life of obedience to the Father. Whenever, something was to be done or wherever they needed to go somewhere, Jesus always went to the Father for permission, instructions and directions. Did you know this morning that Jesus did not even pick His disciples without the Father's permission. He spent time alone with the Father before He made His final choice.
Jesus lived on our earth for 30 years before He allowed Himself to be baptized by John. He lived on our earth for 30 years before He started sharing the message of salvation. He lived on our earth for 30 years before He did His first miracle at the marriage supper in Cana of Galilee.
For 30 years Jesus ate, sleep and simply lived in the land of ancient Israel. For 30 years He did nothing but grow up, learn from Mary and Joseph and do the work of a carpenter. For 30 years Jesus just lived among His people.
He had the power to raise the dead, the power to bring sight to the blind and the power to turn water into wine. But He did none of those things because His Heavenly Father had not given Him permission. Here He was the Son of God, the creator of all the Universe and He does nothing without the Father's permission. He simply learns Torah, lives out a holy life and works each day as a carpenter/stone mason.
Can you imagine having all that power - the power to walk on water, the power to heal and even raise the dead and for 30 years just work as a carpenter and stone mason? Can you imagine having the ability to feed 5,000 men and yet just each day show up for work waiting for the voice of the Father?
Did Jesus waste those 30 years? Could not He have healed a great many people in those silent 30 years? Could He not have raised up a great following in those 30 years?
No. A resounding No. He couldn't because that was not the will of His Father. When His Heavenly Father told Him to do something, Jesus quickly and obediently followed the will of His Father. Everything He did, everything He said, everywhere He went, everyone He healed, every message He preached, everything was in line with the will of His Heavenly Father.
His life was totally in the hands of His Heavenly Father. Even who will sit at his right and left side, Jesus tells us will be the choice of His Heavenly Father. Even when He returns one day will be at the timing of His Heavenly Father. Everything is in the will of the Father.
This morning, like James and John we need to be reminded that we too need to wait for our Heavenly Father. We need to wait for Him and when He tells us to do something then we need to do it. Not before and certainly not well after. But as soon as we know that God tells us to do something our feet, hands, minds and hearts should be moving.
III. Thirdly, to follow Jesus may mean at times that we like James and John may forget at times that greatness comes through sacrifice. Greatness comes at times through suffering - verses 38-40
In verses 32 - 34, Jesus had just shared with them that it would not be long until He would be arrested, condemn and put to death. All of those things would have to happen before He would be raised from the dead. First, would be the arrest, then the condemnation, quickly followed by His crucifixion which would lead to His death. Only after His suffering on the cross would there be a resurrection and a new life.
They heard Jesus' words but they let them go in one ear and out the other.
They wanted a crown. They wanted power. They wanted to be over someone. They wanted a short cut to glory.
What they did not want was to face a time of persecution. What they did not want was to face a cross. What they did not want was to endure the suffering of crucifixion. What they did not want was to have to die. They wanted a short cut to glory.
This morning, we all want to receive our heavenly crowns. We all want the joys of heaven. We all want to enjoy the celebrations, but we may have forgotten that before we get to heaven, we too have to experience a death. We too must face our own cross.
This morning, Jesus tells us we have to die out to our sins. We have to die out to our selfish ways. We have to die out to the old man. We have to allow Jesus to crucify our carnality, our sinfulness and selfishness. We have to die out to sin and be born from above. It is only after we die out to our sins that can we experience a resurrection.
The standard of greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven is the Standard of the Cross.
There was no short cut for Jesus and there is no short cut for you and me this morning. We all have to die, but after that the resurrection. We all have to die out to our sins, but after that we experience New Life - Being Born Again. Amen!
IV. Fourthly, to follow Jesus we may even find ourselves like James and John and the others fussing and fighting over meaningless things - verses 41
Verse 41 tells us that the others overheard James and John's conversation with Jesus and wanted to get in on the act. They wanted to put their hats in the ring for 1st and 2nd place. After all, who said that James and John were the two best? Who said that it couldn't be Matthew, Andrew or Peter? And what about Thomas or the other James?
Here in the midst of having the Son of God standing right before them, they started fighting and bickering like little children over who is going to be picked first and second. They start complaining and fussing and fighting. They all started overestimating their ability to drink from the cup and accept the same baptism of Jesus. They all began to feel pretty proud of themselves.
This morning, it is always easy for us to do both of these things:
+Over estimate our own spirituality - to think we are more mature or holy - that we are spiritually more advanced than those around us.
+Get into a fuss with one another - to decide someone needs to change but it is not us. To start bickering and fussing and complaining.
Each of these men wanted to do as little as possible but get as much as possible. They all wanted to be #1. They all wanted to be in control. Sounds human doesn't it?
And so Jesus takes a time out. In verses 42 - 45 Jesus calls a time out. Not just for James and John, but for all of them. They were all agitated, upset and out of sorts. Instead of loving one another, encouraging one another and working with one another, they were at odds. They all wanted their own personal agenda met. And if it meant putting someone down or stepping over someone to get where they wanted to get, it was okay. After all, who was James and John in the first place?
But notice what Jesus does for it is miraculous. Jesus shifts the focus. He shifts the focus off of the disciples and puts it where it needs to be; on meeting the needs of others. He gets them to refocus. He reminds them of what it means to be a true disciple. He reminds them of their true calling. It was not for them to be some super saint. No, they were called to invest their lives in the lives of others. They were called to be vessels that God would fill with His Spirit so that He could pour out His Spirit on others in need.
Jesus brings everything to a crescendo in verse 45 - "For even the Son of Man came not be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many."
Jesus beautifully reminds His disciples again what He had just told them in verses 32 - 34
+Jesus came to earth out of a heart of pure love
+Jesus came to teach us and to correct our faulty thinking and bad theology
+Jesus came to transform our lives from the inside out.
+Jesus came to fill us with His Holy Spirit
+Jesus came so that we might share the Message of Salvation
+Jesus came so that we too could give our lives for others
James and John mistakenly thought following Jesus was all about earthly power. They thought that all they needed was to discover how to get on the inside track. They thought that they could find a short cut. The others thought the same. But Jesus reminds them and us this morning that to follow Jesus
+Has always meant that we would travel the road of sacrifice, suffering, self-surrender and servanthood.
+Being a follower of Jesus does mean that one day we will wear a crown - but right now we are to be His ambassadors. We are to be His witnesses. We are to do all we can to serve Him.
As we close this morning, how goes it with you? This morning, have you asked Jesus to be Your Savior and LORD? This morning, have you accepted His call of sacrifice, of surrender and of servanthood?
This morning, as we sing # 489 - Where He Leads Me
As we sing this song - if you would like to accept the Lord as Your Savior our altars are open
If you would like to come and make Jesus your Lord - being filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit our altars are open
If you would like to come and receive a blessing or just pray as we sing - obey the leading of the Holy Spirit and come down and pour your heart out to the LORD
