Jesus This – Jesus That…..Jesus own family didn’t believe he was – who he was.Isn’t that amazing? Having grown up with him….They weren’t sure – what was going on. In fact they appear to be trying to “help” him create who they think he should be.
John 7:4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret.
Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
The word brothers used there is not like brothers in an organization
It is literally family – blood brother. Hard to imagine that they just didn’t get it. Early on we have people, even people close to Jesus. Who are either trying to manipulate him or they just don’t really understand who he is.
Story – Jesus this, Jesus that
Few years ago talking with folks from this church – they needed a pastor. At first I really liked their church, they seemed like great people. After awhile I noticed –in all the literature about the church Jesus was never mentioned. I, pointed this out – Maybe I missed something....Oh! their response There was this “Other” Presbyterian church in town! Jesus this, Jesus that – Why does it always have to be about Jesus? I told them that I thought that’s what Christianity was all about - Jesus. Thanks. End of conversation. Loony Tune People.
It is Christianity after all. I don’t think they got it.
In the next few weeks we will be taking a look at the last part of the Gospel of Mark. The last days of Jesus’ life. To give us an insight on who Jesus is.
We as Americans have some misconceptions of who Jesus is, some major, some minor, some …even loony.
Modern Concept of Jesus – Is it true? Is our Modern concept of who Jesus is true? This morning let’s spend time in the Gospel of Mark
We are starting in lucky chapter 13
Let’s begin with verse 5
5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.
We’ll also see next week,
In verse 22, he warns us again about false Christs.
Jesus hasn’t even died and resurrected yet and he is warning about people claiming to be him.
Story – Jerusalem Police.
Who is the most arrested person in the city of Jerusalem? Moses.Jesus is second most arrested. Jerusalem police arrest, everyday, on average 11 people claiming to be Moses, or Jesus. Everyday. How greatis that? I could spend a lot of time on this stuff.
Ted Jesus Christ God and Master Steven.
On the internet is this guy Ted . He calls himself Ted Jesus Christ God. Go ahead, Google him, this is for real! Ted claims he is Jesus because he looks like the picture of Jesus.This is the website of the Christ, the Messiah, The Great I am. Ted is somehow genetically linked to Jesus, so he claims.
However. Unlike Ted – Jesus did not look like a European - HE WASN’T WHITE. He looked middle eastern. Ted, what a ding a ling.
Master Steven.
Also claims to be Jesus and he will answer any prayer, for $10, by pay pal. If you use his service - Have your prayer be that you want your money back. HA.
Nathan the Messiah.
Not sure what he’s up to, but he’s the Messiah. Jesus too. With Viagra ads flashing on the top banner.
Jesus is Back . Com
Jesus will send you his picture – for only $50.00. Cheap.
There’s more! Obviously these guys are loony. We can laugh. Chances are Jesus will not use a website to announce his second coming. But there are others who may not claim to be Jesus and use Jesus to make money – lots of money. Just last year (who shall remain nameless) one came though Anchorage and took home lots of money. And I’ll tell you this guy was a fake. We have to be careful, very careful.
Jesus Bought Me A Mercedes Benz.
We can want something so much hat even if it sounds a little nutty we might buy into it. There is a church in Florida that claims that Jesus wants you wealthy. With just a little seed money you can be rich too! In a Church brochure a woman tells her story. She gave $12,000 in seed money and soon she had a Mercedes Benz. Well praise the Lord - he’s gonna buy me a Mercedes Benz, isn’t that what Jesus wants for all of us?
Jesus fit into what she wanted out of life.
I had one of these folks called once. Question: If I give the “seed money” to another church will it work? Of course not. Hmmmmm. Most of us tend to not be taken but such nuts, things have to be a little more subtle for us to buy in.
Important: Jesus is not here so we can get the most out of life. Jesus is not here so we can have what we desire….We are here - to find what Jesus desires in our life.
Lets go back to verse 1
“Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”
We Are Impressed – But Jesus Is Not.
The temple in Jerusalem was the most magnificent of the area. At the wailing wall today you can see some of the stones today. Modern scholars are amazed not only the size but at the technology needed to move them in place. It is impressive.
Texas Church.
There was a church in Texas. It had declined over the years. They had spent about 1 million in renovations – all their money, because they figured if people saw the wonderful building – they would come. People go to the church across the street - their building is just so so.
2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
The first thing we learn about Jesus. This is not what it is all about. In fact everything – all the stuff – we value, will someday be gone.
Oklahoma – Auctions.
They would take the entire household contents and place it out in the yard. It was auctioned off in an hour or so, then people would star taking the stuff away, by the end of the day, everything was gone. Nothing was left but a shell of a house. They even auctioned off parts of the housemany times: Lights, rods, stoves, sinks, railing. This was stuf that at one time someone would have run back in during a fire to save..This is not what it is all about.
The End Is Near! Verse 4.
4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”
Two things. In 70 ad Romans destroyed the Temple. Starting in verse 5, Jesus is speaking of the end times, which will come – but we don’t know when. Jesus warns us again, not only about false Jesus’ but also about end times maniacs. It is Ok to study about the end times but it is not ok to read in to much into it.
A Neighbor years ago had a t-shirt collection. All the t- shirts basically said, "The world will end on (such a date)….fill in church name". He had like 12 different ones of these.
Book in book store. "Jesus will come back June 1994". It was May1996.
Book was discounted. I love that stuff! What are peole thinking?
Verses 7-8
War, earthquakes, famines
These will happen – they do not mean the end of the world. Again – in context – the buildings and religious stuff is not what it is all about and now – worrying about the end times is not what it is all about.
Reality Hits Home.
Jesus starts to get disturbing. If we understand that Jesus is speaking of the future and that He is not only speaking of NT times, we see that we are not exempt.
Verses 9-12 Jesus gets down to brass tacks. Because of Jesus things will go wrong for you. Because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – family may disown you. You may be arrested and beaten and betrayed.
Well sign me up!
13 All men will hate you because of me,
but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Remember:
Jesus is not here so we can get the most out of life.
Jesus is not here so we can have what we desire….
We are here - to find what Jesus desires in our life.
We see that Jesus demands are serious.
But this is just the beginning....
Next Week: The Quick And The Dead
Book Recommendation: The Jesus I Never Knew – Phillip Yancey
