Mark on following Jesus

There is a deep mine with the richest of ore in Mark Chapter 10.  It is like a precious metal mine that yields surprises with every shovel load.  It is a remarkable chapter. I thank a Senior Minister’s regular Sunday morning radio broadcast on Sydney’s HopeFM for drawing me to the chapter. I thank another clergy for encouraging me to contemplate the chapter’s full depths.

 

Here is why the chapter is remarkable:

 

It contains a comprehensive essay on following Jesus.

 

It presents Mark as an authority on the subject.  It is a divinely inspired summation of all angles on the subject of following Jesus.  Verse 17 commences with the rich young man who cannot give up what he needs to give up to follow Jesus and the chapter ends with Bartimaeus – a blind man who casts away all that he has to follow Jesus.  In to the middle of these comparative examples Mark masterfully identifies how the Apostles do not quite understand the cost of following Jesus (for there is a cost and the Apostles were yet to understand that cost).

 

To expand on the characters of each part:

 

1. Mark 10:17 to 22: The rich young man desires eternal life.  He identifies his path to eternal life as one in keeping with the law. The rich young man wants to clutch hold of Jesus while firmly holding onto all the world has to offer.  Jesus makes him understand that he cannot hope to have both the world and Christ,

 

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Mark 10:17 NIV

 

1. Mark 10:23-29: Peter expresses that the Apostles have left everything to follow Jesus and receives a response from Jesus that indicates that much is to be gained by turning their face fully towards the kingdom.

 

Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!” Mark 10:28 NIV

 

1. Mark 10:35-40: Two Apostles (James and John) want much, yet do not understand what they are asking for, nor the cost of what they ask for.  Jesus gives them to understand that their comprehension is not yet complete nor is their obligation fully known to them.

 

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said Mark 10:38 NIV

 

1. Mark 10: 41-45: The other ten Apostles while indignant with James and John are given to understand servant leadership.  To follow, they must become “slave of all”,

 

and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. Mark 10:44 NIV

 

1. Mark 10: 46-52: Bartimaeus freely abandons all that he has (a cloak) to follow Jesus.

 

Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Mark 10:52 NIV

 

Mark is identifying that there is a spectrum to the concept of following Jesus.  To follow Jesus on your own terms (rich young man) is impossible.  To follow Jesus freely and in faith is possible (Bartimaeus).

 

In the middle of the spectrum are the Apostles who Jesus has tasked for something that they do not yet understand. They need to allow comprehension to come to them. Jesus loves them such that he will allow them to understand through progressive revelation through to the cross, the resurrection and Pentecost.  Jesus is conditioning the Apostles.  He is refining their understanding.  He is shaping them for leadership after he ascended.  The word of Jesus to the Apostles here in Mark 10 perhaps did not resonate with the Apostles until when they were alone.

 

Bartimaeus is the best representative of us.  We are blind before God.  Our possessions are little more than a cloak. The response of Bartimaeus should be our response.  Indeed, Mark uses the chapter to powerfully bring this point home.  Earlier in Mark10:13-16 people bring children to Jesus and Jesus warmly receives the children.  For it is those who are innocent that receive the kingdom of God.

 

Mark’s magnificent essay on following Jesus is important not only for illuminating the spectrum but also in identifying that the love of Jesus is available to all:

 

1. For the rich young man: “Jesus loved him and had compassion on him”

 

And, explained to the rich young man that he didn’t care for the man’s toys.

 

1. For the Apostles: Jesus gently re-directed them rather that chiding them

 

And, explained that they did not yet understand either the cost of following or the reward of following.

 

1. For Bartimaeus: when others were trying to distract Bartimeaus away, Jesus healed him.

 

And, received Bartimeaus that Bartimaeus would follow him.

 

So, Mark is saying that no matter how we come to Jesus, no matter how we start our journey to follow Jesus, no matter our standing, we are loved.  It is God’s love shining through Jesus.  Indeed, the best indicator that it is love comes not from observing the characters on their journeys but instead in understanding that it is God that is reaching to them. Mark is also saying that we have to respond to the love on the terms offered. We can’t accept the offer and also hold to any of our own conditions.

 

The rich young man, the Apostles and Bartimaeus possibly thought it was themselves that were making an approach to Jesus.  Yet, there was a deeper reality.

 

For, God was calling them home.

 

Shalom,

Ozhamada

 

Note: all links good as at 15 November 2017

Sermon Zechariah 3 Clean garments

Reading: Zechariah 3 (whole chapter)

Title: Clean garments 

19 October 2017, 1:10pm Wesley Church, Chapel in City, 220 Pitt Street

 

{WELCOME}

 

{PRAYER}

 

Slide 1:

 

“Therefore there is no condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus”

Romans 8:1 NIV

 

Have you ever considered what this verse means? 

 

Today, I hope to open you to the meaning of Romans 8:1.  I will do that by considering the verses read to us from the Old Testament book of Zechariah.

 

 

For there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.

 

• For me, this is one of the most wonderful verses in Romans.
• The “therefore” identifies with how Paul is summarising an argument in the Chapter that runs before.
• The conclusion of Paul’s argument is that Christ freed me from the law of sin
• God paved a way through Christ; he who said “I am the way, the truth and the life”

 

Please allow me to illustrate to you how Zechariah Chapter 3 allows us to understand Jesus as the way, the truth and the life.  In Zechariah Chapter 3, we get to see into God’s courtroom.  We see into the courtroom through a vision that is recorded by Zechariah.  Moreover, we see into God’s courtroom on the most important day in the Jewish Nation’s calendar.  It is the single day of the calendar year that Israel knew as the ‘Day of Atonement’  or ‘Yom Kippur’.  While in that courtroom – a courtroom in the spiritual realm – we will see a prophetic illustration of the freedom won for us by Christ.

 

The book of Zechariah includes eight visions that are given to Zechariah.  Each vision is fascinating in its own right.  The eight visions form a neat pattern of:

 

Slide 2:

 

a b b c c b b a

 

The pattern represents the manner the visions are revealed to the Prophet Zechariah.  The first vision; “a” is placed outside of the city walls.  The second and third visions; “b” are on approach to the city.  The fourth and fifth visions are placed within the temple.  The Prophet finally receives vision outside the city – the last “a”.

 

Today we are focussing on the fourth vision – the first ‘c’ vision within the temple.

 

Zechariah is prophesying in an important time of Israel’s history.  The Nation has returned from exile.  The Nation is rebuilding the city of Jerusalem and the temple.  The Nation will maintain Jerusalem as its centre from this time through to the time of Jesus Christ.  In this light, the first of the ‘c’ visions is important, as it is God’s way of affirming to the people that God fully intends that all temple practices be restored.  We will see that this vision is important, as it is in the temple practices that we learn of God’s ultimate rescue plan through his Son, Jesus Christ.

 

Therefore, there is, in verse 1 of Zechariah Chapter 3:

 

• Joshua, the High Priest of the day
• Joshua is standing before an angel of the Lord
• And Satan is at Joshua’s right hand ready to accuse Joshua.

 

We understand from the language of the whole of the chapter that Joshua stands in the courtroom not solely in his own right but also as the representative of the body of the Israelite people.  This is the ultimate heavenly reality – God with his people - that is being replicated through ritual.  Joshua is meditator between sinful man and Holy God. Joshua’s role is ultimately fulfilled in Christ (1 Tim 2:5)

 

This is fitting with the Bible’s description of the physical requirements of the Day of Atonement in that the High Priest is atoning for the sins of all the people. 

 

Where Joshua is physically standing is the Holy of Holies.  It is separated from the rest of the temple by a great curtain.  It was the curtain that was torn from top to bottom after Christ breathed his last breath upon the cross.  That curtain is decorated with golden cherubim to remind man of the fall in the garden of Eden.  It was quite a ceremony for the High Priest to enter the Holy of Holies.  The High Priest would dress for the occasion. He would purify himself. He had to take care to prepare everything, as all must be done to order to please God.  The other priests would await his exit.  Here is an illustration of how the High Priest dressed.  You will note that the Zechariah 3 text identifies with both the clothing and the turban.

 

Slide 3:

 

 

Image credit: http://actsion.com/high-priest/

 

[Draw attention to image; Moses had to take off his sandals before the burning bush (Exodus 3);Note the curious inclusion of the bells on the tunic – bells that allowed those outside the Holy Place to know that the High Priest was still alive; for the sash around the waist indicate how Jesus wrapped a towel around his waist in the account of the washing of the Apostles feet (John 13) ]

 

Therefore, to our understanding of how the High Priest was attired in the physical world, verse 3 tells of how Joshua was clothed in the spiritual world– and we see through Zechariah’s vision that Joshua was not in a delicate gown but in filthy clothes.  It is an amazing vision for a number of reasons but please consider this – it was completely dark within the Holy of holies – the High Priest had to see with eyes of faith – so for that which the High Priest had no vision, Zechariah is powerfully illuminating!  In the spiritual realm, we see these clothes being removed and replaced (verse 4).  They are replaced with clean clothes.  This is similar to Revelation 3 where we see that those who overcome will be dressed in white clothes.  In removing Joshua’s clothes and replacing them Joshua is at first stripped of his role as High Priest and then reinstated.  In being stripped and then reinstated, we see God completely making right his relationship with his people.

 

We can understand that the High Priest’s clothing, at this point in history, to be filthy for another reason.  Zechariah is writing after return from the exile.   The Israelites had returned from exile and set about rebuilding the temple.  The temple was not finished until about four years after the fourth vision.  Therefore, Joshua’s clothes may be filthy in that they are stained through the time Israel spent in a heathen Nation full of idols.  The temple was also incomplete, so Joshua may have been making do as he completed his duties on the Day of Atonement.  That is, he may have been in some temporary dwelling; an incomplete temple.  Irrespective, God gives this image so that the Israelites who have been restored to their Holy city may understand that the Day of Atonement is to be continued.   For God’s plan of salvation has not yet been fulfilled.

 

 

Let us look at verse 2:

 

• The lord rebukes Satan –Satan is completely frustrated his objective,
• Joshua is not called upon to respond
• God identifies his love for his people recognising them as a burning stick snatched from a fire – God is showing his love for his people in that he drew them back from exile and made them ready for the next stage in his grand plan.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, this is a most incredible depiction of God’s love.  Satan gets not one word!  Satan is rebuked and frustrated – God will not allow him to accuse his people!  Man does not have to answer!  And God justifies his people so that he may fulfil the purpose he has for them. 

 

Why? Because it is through the blood of Atonement that Christ “speaks” for us.

 

So let us recap: High Priest Joshua, in his role for all the people enters the court bearing sin of the people.  Joshua does not have to make his case in the court.  Satan is silenced. Joshua’s filthy clothes are removed.  Joshua is given fresh clothing.  Stripped of his clothing he is also stripped of his role.  Reclothed he is reinstated in his role. 

 

And God gives this illustration: the people are “like a burning stick plucked from the fire” (verse 2).  That expression is worthy of a sermon alone! God is indicating here that he did not restore the people back to the city after exile without having a plan for them.  God could have left the stick in the fire – that is, left the people in exile; but the people were part of God’s ultimate rescue plan.

 

Now Joshua, is in a long line of High Priests.  He, (verse 7), stands to gain inheritance.  And, he is given an understanding of Christ, he who is to come. (verse 8).  In verse 9, Zechariah sees an image that is similar to an image offered David and Daniel.  The image here is of a stone with seven eyes – seven being the number of spiritual perfection (Rev5:6) - significant of infinite intelligence, of omnipresence.  It is an image of Christ.  From the root of Jesse, the son of David, the morning star must come!

 

Yes, the lineage of High Priests – that Joshua restores in Jerusalem on the return from exile – has lineage that then runs to Christ.  Joshua is part of the branch.  Zechariah is part of the lineage of prophets that runs to the final prophet of Christ; that’s John the Baptist.  King David, Solomon and other kings are part of the linage of kings that run to Christ.  And all three, priest, prophet and king run together and culminate in perfection in Christ.  Zechariah is given to understand this.  He grasps the mystery that is known to us.  He recognises that the Messiah will one day emerge from Israel.

 

Now, that which the High Priest sets out to do once a year on the Day of Atonement – atone for the sins of the Nation - had to be done the next year, and the next.  Yet, that done by Christ at Calvary needed to be done but once.  Blood was given once for all people, once for all time.

 

Zechariah was given the vision of the victory of Calvary.  It is true that Zechariah could not understand the cross as it is recorded for us.  Yet, Joshua the High Priest played his own part symbolically of the victory of Calvary.  It is the mystery and wonder of Calvary that the ancients once craved to know that we understand.  When Christ died for God’s children; past present and future on that cross, he died for Prophet Zechariah and for High Priest Joshua as much as he dies for you and me.  Joshua would carry out the annual duties required of him on the Day of Atonement and yet the Day of Atonement was a representation of that one final and perfect Day of Atonement when Christ would do it all.

 

Let us unpack this a bit so we can see Jesus Christ in these words of Zechariah.

 

Earlier, I mentioned that Joshua is seen in the spiritual courtroom dressed in filthy clothes.  I said that the filthy clothes were representative of Joshua’s carriage of sin for all the people.  In this, we can understand Christ at the cross.  Christ carried our sins.  His cloth was heavy with sin.  He bore those sins more heavily and more deeply than the scars on his flesh.

 

I mentioned earlier that Joshua in being stripped of his filthy clothes was also stripped of his role.  In putting the clean clothes back on Joshua was reinstated.  And, we know that this is what happened to Christ.  At Christ’s last moment, he spoke to his father “Why have you forsaken me” – and at this Christ was plunged into the darkness of the abyss separated away from the Father.  Nevertheless, death could not contain Christ!.  His purity from sin saw him escape the clutches of death.  Death was defeated.  And, Christ ascended to the heavenly realms and was clothed in the most royal of robes – King of kings and Lord of lords.

 

Slide 4

 

“And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you!” Zechariah 3:2

 

Let’s go back to verse 2 to see Christ: “And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you!”  There we see two Lords – there is two members of the Trinity.  The first Lord named there is Jesus.  The second is God.  Jesus was there to stand with Joshua as Satan was rebuked.  My hope for you is that Christ will be with you that he will stand beside you when God rebukes Satan.  Satan will not stop devouring until the very end and you want Christ to be there to vouch for you.

 

That which Zechariah saw in a vision, that which Joshua the High Priest symbolically completed on the Day of Atonement, is fulfilled in Christ.  The prophesy of Zechariah culminated in line with prophesy of John the Baptist.  The kingship that David, Solomon, and others had was fulfilled in Christ the perfect King.  The perfect priest, the perfect king intercedes for his people.  The writer of Hebrews captures this when he says in Chapter 2 verses 17 to 18:

 

{READ}:

 

‘For this reason he [Jesus] had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.’  Hebrews 2:17-18 NIV  

 

Slide 6

 

“Therefore there is no condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus”

Romans 8:1 NIV

 

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen: Paul when he wrote the letter to Romans knew that which Zechariah perceived from the ancient past.  What Zechariah could only understand dimly, Paul knew in fullness.  Zechariah could perceive the branch line to Christ but not Christ himself. 

 

We like Paul are living after the cross.  All has been made known.  You cannot be condemned by accepting Christ – the perfection of prophets, kings and priests.  You will instead find life to the full.  Yes, there is no condemnation for those who are in in Christ Jesus.

 

 

{STEP ASIDE FROM LECTERN FOR EFFECT}

 

Accept him that has given his blood for you.
  Accept him that has defeated death.
    Accept Christ as Lord.

 

Amen.

 

Note: this backlinks from https://www.reddit.com/r/TrueChristian/comments/somvf8/what_do_you_mean_by_jesus_is_god/ 

A cackle of Dad's jokes

Dad’s jokes reach a crescendo on Father’s Day.  Father’s Day is celebrated in September in Australia.  A dad joke is defined as a joke that is not funny yet is groan worthy.  I’ve published a collection here that arose across a number of social media posts this last week.  I’ll add further to this list as opportunity arises:

How did the Brady Bunch know about Zoom before all of us?

A woman took her car to the mechanic and stated "It is making a thump thump thump sound". the mechanic responded "you probably need to change a tyre". The woman responded: "I like wearing active wear, how will wearing a dress will fix the car"

I like to say "mucho" amongst Spanish friends. It means a lot to them.

I used to work in a factory making chess pieces. I was on the knight shift.

Can someone please help Cat Stevens with his caravan. His awning is broken.

I’ve made a number of frogs immortal. I removed their vocal chords – now they can’t croak.

I asked I choirmaster if I should sing in his choir. He answered: “Tenor”. I looked puzzled and he then continued his answer: “Ten or Twenty kilometres away”.

If Prince was a Zombie he would have sung about Purple Brains.

AC DC's hit song 'Highway to Hell' is my neighbour's favourite. I had it on full volume the other day and my neighbour liked it so much that he threw a brick through my window so that he could hear it better.

Nothing is built in Australia any more. I bought a television and the box that it was shipped in included the text: "Built in Antenna". I searched my Atlas and can't even find where the country called Antenna is.

At a garage sale I purchased a book titled "How to Hug". Imagine my surprise on arriving home to find that it was the 15th volume of a dictionary. 

Q. How do you get to New York’s Carnegie Hall?

A. Practice

A neighbour just completed a structure on the line dividing our properties.  I found his behaviour o-fence-ive.

I just bought a thesaurus and when I got it home I found out that all the pages are blank. I have no words to describe how angry I am.

Who was the smartest man in the Bible? Abraham, because he knew a Lot.

I like shortbread - but they are not making it any longer.


Coming home the other night I observed my child eating a banana skin and all.  I rushed her to the doctor because she was not peeling very well.

Cows have hooves because they lactose.

I flew business class the other day.  It was the worst class I’d ever been to.  I did not learn anything!

Did you hear about the Doctor who got the sack yesterday.  He only performed appendectomies and someone determined he was only working on the side.

What's a pirate's favourite letter? 
You might think it's R, but his true love be the C!

I read in fashion news that there will be no change in men’s pockets this year.

It is okay to love the New Zealand band Crowded House: It is only natural

Why was Boaz angry? Because he was Ruthless.

Police in Nigeria entered a man’s apartment after fearing he had died.  They found US2billion in cash.  It turns out that the man had been trying to give it away but no-one would answers his emails.

Anyone who like meetings should be in charge of nothing.

Boss to me at end of long meeting: “What did you learn in this meeting?”

Me in response: “That I can sleep with my eyes open”.

Did you hear about the dyslexic agnostic?

He did not believe that there was a dog.

A giraffe has a very long ….

List of Facebook friends.

What do you call a snake that is exactly 3.1412 metres long?

A python.

A computer programmer’s wife sent him shopping.  She said “Get me a bottle of milk and if they have eggs get me six”.  He came home with six bottles of milk”.

“I call that a Bob Marley photocopier,  It is always jammin’

“When can you tell that it is cold in Sydney? It is when lawyers have their hands in their own pockets.”

“That British artist wrote a song about Norma Jean changing her name to Monroe Marilyn.  When he chose to call himself Elton John (rather than John Elton) he shouldn’t complain that people mix up other names”

“I don’t know what all the fuss is about this Trump character.  I’m very happy for him to have US residency”

“There was an accident on the M7 this morning.  A Goulburn jail van collided with a concrete truck.  Police are now searching the area looking for twelve hardened prisoners”.

“When my wife gets angry with me during an argument she gets to a point where she is historical” You mean hysterical?  “No, historical, she tells me about everything I have ever done wrong”.

“My wife and I have been married 25 years.  We’ve just accumulated 10 years of good marriage.  10 minutes here, 20 minutes there”.

A pirate puts his appointments into a calendarrrrrrrrrr.

How much do pirates pay for earrings? A buccaneer.

Paddy turned to Mick and said “If you can guess how many doughnuts I have in my bag, I’ll let you have them both”

Year 5 was the best three years of my life.

One time in Australia you were sentenced to be hung if you took money out of a bank through a hole in a wall.  Now the banks have worked out how to charge us for this experience.

Did you hear about how the librarian kept slipping over? She was in the non-friction section.

This dad joke dates from the time before flat screen televisions: The other day Bob came over while I was watching a Swans game on television. My wife opened the door to Bob. As he entered the room Bob asked: "What is on television?". I responded, "Don't be silly Bob, it is a pot plant"

I was going to be a fortune-teller, but I couldn't see any future in it.

Why is the ocean wet? Because the sea weed.

Why will you never go hungry at the beach? Because of the sand which is there.

Where did Abraham come from?
[Person answering]: Er
That's right Abraham come from Ur.

Venison for dinner again? Oh deer!

How does Moses make tea? Hebrews it....

England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool .

I tried to catch some fog, but I mist.

They told me I had type-A blood, but it was a Typo.

I changed my iPod's name to Titanic. It's syncing now.

Jokes about German sausage are the wurst.

I know a guy who's addicted to brake fluid, but he says he can stop any time.

I stayed up all night to see where the sun went, and then it dawned on me.

This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I'd never met herbivore.

When chemists die, they barium.

I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. I just can't put it down.

I did a theatrical performance about puns. It was a play on words.

Why were the Indians here first? They had reservations.

I didn't like my beard at first. Then it grew on me.

Did you hear about the cross-eyed teacher who lost her job because she couldn't control her pupils?

When you get a bladder infection, urine trouble.

Broken pencils are pointless.

What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary? A thesaurus.

I dropped out of communism class because of lousy Marx.

I got a job at a bakery because I kneaded dough

Velcro - what a rip off!

Don’t worry about old age; it doesn’t last.

I ordered a chicken and egg online. I'll let you know.

A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.

When the smog lifts in Los Angeles UCLA.

A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail.

A will is a dead giveaway.

With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.

Police were summoned to a daycare center where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.

Did you hear about the fellow whose entire left side was cut off? He's all right now.

The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine last week is now fully recovered.

He had a photographic memory but it was never fully developed.

When she saw her first strands of gray hair she thought she'd dye.

Acupuncture is a jab well done. That's the point of it.

A short psychic committed a crime and escaped police custody. So, now there is a small medium at large.

I went to the pizza shop on a day when they had a buy-a-large-get-a-medium-free promotion. I had to let the medium go as he was only good for channeling my great aunt.

Why were caveman so poor at solving arguments? Because paper and scissors had not been invented (rock, paper, scissors).

What do you call a factory that makes products that are just okay? A satisfactory.

A salesman keeps trying to sell me a casket. I told him it was the last thing I need.

Having been married 33 years it has been a long time since I’ve seen a stripper. But, oh boy, you should have seen the one that I eyeballed last weekend in Bunnings aisle 8, the paint section.

Speaking of Bunnings, every time I go there, I purchase brake fluid. I’m addicted to it, yet I can stop any time I want.

And as to paint, I am no artist, yet when my daughter is not home from a date at 2am I quickly draw to conclusions.

Shalom,

Ozhamada


Note: in its own little way this linked post is also a dad joke