Afraid To Ask
Our Bible passage, introduction to Sunday 13th February’s service and hymns are below.
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Our verses are:
Mar 9:30 And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.
Mar 9:31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.
Mar 9:32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
Mar 9:33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
Mar 9:34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
Mar 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
Mar 9:36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
Mar 9:37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
Afraid To Ask
In our studies in Mark’s gospel we have paid attention to the care the Lord took to teach and prepare His disciples for their apostolic ministry. We have noticed how the Lord’s lessons were not always received and understood, and sometimes had to be repeated. This is one of those occasions. Let us not be too critical of the disciples. Often the Lord has to repeat our lessons, too.
Christ’s death is the heart of the gospel
The looming suffering and death of the Saviour must be raised again. We note how for His disciples’ comfort the Lord includes mention of His resurrection in all talk of His death. Yet, Christ’s death is the big subject that must be faced. This is still true. Whatever our religion we must deal with the fact that God, in the person of Jesus Christ, came to earth, suffered and died. The substitutionary death of Christ is the heart of the gospel.
Turning to Jerusalem
The Lord is turning His attention and His feet to Jerusalem. His arrest being imminent and certain is represented as if it is already done. He will be killed and shall rise again the third day. Words could not be clearer. However, the disciples’ old prejudices still remain. Mark tells us, ‘they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him’.
Afraid to Ask
Again, the disciples cannot reconcile their long held assumptions about the Messiah’s kingdom with the words of Jesus. They do not doubt He is the Son of God, but suffering and death just do not register in their future plans. Every demonstration of the Lord’s miraculous power, the positive reaction of admiring crowds, the disciples’ nationalistic and religious expectations from prophecy, all contradict this talk of dying. Moreover, the Lord’s sharp reaction to Peter’s protest on a previous occasion leaves none of them willing to press Him for an explanation.
Same truth by another path
Then we see the wisdom of the Lord in not pressing the point but addressing His disciples’ confusion by another route. They would learn soon enough of the suffering to come. For now, as they travel together the disciples preoccupy themselves with discussion about their own personal ambitions of greatness.
True greatness
Arriving back in Capernaum the Master challenges them about their topic of conversation on the road. Nobody speaks. The Lord takes a child and sets him in the midst of them all. Not only was their concept of a physical and political kingdom at fault, their aspirations for personal greatness were also too worldly and base. Advancement in Christ’s kingdom is gained not by self-promotion but by self-sacrifice. Greatness is measured by service and in helping the weak, not in being served.
Gentle Jesus
The care and tenderness of the Lord should not be overlooked. His affection towards the child and His gentleness with His erring disciples both speak well of our Friend. Let us never think the Lord is being unjustly harsh with us in the experiences of providence. There is always a tender care and compassion in the Lord’s dealings with His people and we shall never be tried above what we are able to bear. My trial is a measure of His strength.
Christian service
Serving the Saviour is serving the spiritual body of Christ; it is serving, respecting, receiving and welcoming the lowliest and neediest believer for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ. Gospel ministry, the disciples would learn, is not about personal reputation, status and accolades. It is about sacrifice, humility and the preferment of others. This is the true measure of greatness. Welcoming a fellow believer of the lowliest condition, is receiving Christ Himself, and serving Christ is no less than receiving God the Father. Nor shall we be impoverished by such service. Recompense is beyond measure. Those who receive Christ receive all the covenant blessings of God in Christ.
Our hymns are below.
Hymn 1
Gadsby selection 222
“Because thou sayest, I am rich.” Rev. 3. 17
J. Hart C.M.
1
What makes mistaken men afraid
Of sovereign grace to preach!
The reason is, if truth be said,
Because they are so rich.
2
[Why so offensive in their eyes
Does God’s election seem?
Because they think themselves so wise
That they have chosen him.]
3
[Of perseverance why so loath
Are some to speak or hear?
Because, as masters over sloth,
They vow to persevere.]
4
[Whence is imputed righteousness
A point so little known?
Because men think they all possess
Some righteousness their own.]
5
Not so the needy, helpless soul,
Prefers his humble prayer;
He looks to him that works the whole,
And seeks his treasure there.
6
His language is, “Let me, my God,
On sovereign grace rely;
And own ’tis free, because bestowed
On one so vile as I.
7
“Election! ’tis a word divine;
For, Lord, I plainly see,
Had not thy choice prevented mine,
I ne’er had chosen thee.
8
[“For perseverance strength I’ve none,
But would on this depend –
That Jesus, having loved his own,
Will love them to the end.]
9
“Empty and bare, I come to thee
For righteousness divine;
O may thy matchless merits be,
By imputation, mine.”
10
[Thus differ these; yet hoping each
To make salvation sure.
Now most men will approve the rich,
But Christ has blessed the poor.]
Hymn 2
Gadsby selection 448
Tokens of Christ’s Love. John 15. 9; Matt. 11. 30; 26. 26-28
J. Hart 148th
1
When Jesus undertook
To rescue ruined man,
The realms of bliss forsook,
And to relieve us ran;
He spared no pains, declined no load,
Resolved to buy us with his blood.
2
No harsh commands he gave,
No hard conditions brought;
He came to seek and save,
And pardon every fault.
Poor trembling sinners hear his call;
They come, and he forgives them all.
3
When thus we’re reconciled,
He sets no rigorous tasks;
His yoke is soft and mild,
For love is all he asks.
E’en that from him we first receive,
And well he knows we’ve none to give.
4
This pure and heavenly gift,
Within our hearts to move,
The dying Saviour left
These tokens of his love;
Which seem to say, “While this you do,
Remember him that died for you.”