PENTECOST 6 – July 4, 2021 – Mark 6:1-13
“THE OFFENSE OF CHRIST”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ! Our text is the Gospel Lesson just read, from Mark 6. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- The reaction of sinful human beings is often astounding and remarkable. There is a certain “mental illness” that accompanies unbelief and rejection of God. The Bible speaks of this as being in the darkness, of having an lack of capacity to learn and to see things rightly.
- For example, when the Pharisees find out that Jesus has raised Lazarus from the dead, instead of believing in Jesus and rejoicing that the Divine Messiah has finally come, we read in John’s Gospel that they reasoned this way: “If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation. But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you than one man should die for the people, rather than the whole nation perishing.’ . . . So from that day on they made plans to put Him to death.” [John 11:48-53]
- This is sheer and utter insanity – the same insane hatred of God that sinful human beings have had ever since the fall into sin. It remains in all who are unregenerate, all who remain alien to God and reject Him.
- We see this same insanity in the people from Jesus’ hometown, as described in our text. And their sinful reaction truly is remarkable! For even to them:
I. Jesus’ Wisdom, Love, And Power Are Apparent
Text: “He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished, saying, ‘Where did this man get these things? What is this wisdom given to Him? How are such mighty works done by His hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?’ And they took offense at Him.”
Statement: How can it be that one recognizes the wisdom of Jesus and His mighty power, and then turns around and takes offense at Him? This is outrageously ridiculous and stupid. And yet this is precisely the sinful nature that also continues to exist in us, attempting to exert its influence in our thinking and living. This is the sinful nature that we are directed to put to death. Paul wrote to the Colossians: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” [Col. 3:5] In fact, Paul also wrote: “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” [Gal. 5:24]
In contrast to this fallen sinful human flesh, we can see in the life and ministry of Jesus only that which is noble, beautiful, loving, and good. He heals. He cares for people. He serves. He is ready to lay down His life to take the sin, guilt, and punishment away from every human being and open paradise to them. But He is rejected!
Application: This is why we are to keep a close check on our sinful nature, and to daily put it to death by repenting of our sins and rejoicing in God’s gracious mercy and forgiveness. We have a dangerous beast and dragon within us, and we dare not give it any room or space. It wants to drag us away from the love of Jesus, from His mercy and salvation! And the world around us joins with it in the same attempt to lure or coerce us into joining them in rejection of Jesus.
And so we should be aware that:
II. There Are Many Considerations That Serve As A Basis For Fallen Human Beings Remaining In Unbelief – One’s Origin, One’s Family, Even Familiarity
Text: “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?’ And they took offense at Him.”
Statement: What arrogance to berate someone simply because they were at one time a carpenter! What discrimination – to take offense at Jesus simply because they knew His family! How horrid, to take offense at Jesus even while acknowledging His superior wisdom! But we have similar biases within ourselves, and envy is very cruel and demeaning master. And that is what you have when you recognize the greatness of someone yet still reject him. Especially when it is Jesus, the very Son of God!
Application: So we too must beware of the various sinful distortions within our own sinful nature. We too can succumb to jealousy, or arrogant pride, or a sense of privilege and superiority! We can resent people who are good, who appear better than we are. For these common sins we must repent – lest we fall into some form of insanity, as these poor people did. And when we repent, and return humbly to God, we will receive His gracious forgiveness and mercy – which is Jesus’ will for us and for all people. We have this assurance from God: “Thus says the Lord: ‘Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool; . . . All these things My hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and who trembles at My Word.’” [Is. 66:2]
Therefore it is clear how we are to overcome our sinful inner movements through humble and honest confession, and the warm assurance of God’s gracious love! This prepares us for service within the kingdom, and prepares us for what may be to come. For Jesus makes clear that:
III. We Too May Be Offensive To Unbelievers – In Spite Of Good Deeds And Our Sharing Of The Gospel
Text: “If any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them. So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.”
Statement: As we live Christian lives in this world we too are bearing witness to the world, and leaving testimony behind against those who reject truth, reject repentance, and who reject Christ’s mercy and forgiveness. This is often highly offensive to unbelievers, who continue to operate with a kind of sinful mental illness that cannot discern what is truly good. It should not surprise us when people “will not listen to us.” Perhaps if this occurs within the church it should be of surprise, but not when out amongst unbelievers. Jesus assured us of this: “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they have kept My Word, they will also keep yours.” [John 15:20]
Application: I don’t like being offensive to others. I much prefer to just “fit in.” I don’t like it either when I am threatened with the kind of persecution that Jesus and His disciples endured. But many Christians have experienced this to the ultimate sacrifice – of life and limb.
So perhaps we can become prepared for sharing in “THE OFFENSE OF CHRIST,” and entering into His sufferings, as the apostle Paul put it. Certainly it is a good thing to do, to proclaim repentance and the good news of God’s gracious mercy and forgiveness to others, so that they might come to faith and be saved. Certainly it is a good thing to care for others who are afflicted both spiritually and physically. If persecuted for doing this good, it is surely worth it.
Conclusion: There is nothing wrong with us following the advice of Jesus: “Be as wise as serpents, but as harmless as doves.” [Mt. 10:16] There is nothing wrong with seeing and identifying the insanity of sin and unbelief. There is nothing wrong with taking care not to “cast our pearls before swine,” knowing that they could easily trample them underfoot and turn to attack us. [Matt. 7:6]
However, there will be times when antagonistic encounters will be inevitable – and we can be prepared for them. Like Jesus, we can “marvel because of their unbelief,” but still continue to “go about the villages teaching.”
God grant each of us great wisdom in this matter, and great personal repentance and faith, that we keep watch especially on our own sinful nature. May He also grant us great courage and confidence even in the face of those who take offense at us. May we find joy in doing our Master’s bidding. Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.