Day 2: The Call to the Cutting Edge

I want you to think for just a little bit. Um, how much of status quo living has just become a part of your routine in your life? You know, I think sometimes we, we think Jesus is sort of out there and He's available and He wants to help us and, and He loves us and we start doing our life. But I wonder how much of that revolutionary spirit do you have? How much of that life change? How much of I'm, I'm on a mission with Jesus, I'm following Jesus. Jesus came, He died, He gave us power, He wants to change the world, He wants to do it through you, He wants to do it through me.

And I don't know about you, but, um, I get that, I get snapshots of that, and then, you know, I have places to go, and things I need to do, and kids, and grandkids, and you need to do repairs, and you know, you got responsibilities at work, and I just want to remind you and remind me, Jesus is not this nice Easter story. He's a revolutionary. And revolutionaries have a number of things in common.

Number one, they always buck the status quo. Number two, it requires a visionary leader. Someone that people can believe in. It's not just that he has great words. It's how they live. There's something about their life. There's a quality to it. There's a character to it. Then they can articulate the message. This is the vision. This is what's important. And they can articulate it in a simple enough way that all of us regular people can get it.

And then after they articulate that message, there's a very specific mission and method. This is how you can become a part of this mission. And what we're going to see is the pattern that Jesus takes His early disciples through. And so, as I read this passage, as we study it together, as you kind of take a look at the notes that I've given you, if you haven't downloaded them, by the way, you know, make sure you download those. Because I have one chart, are you ready? One little chart that will give you the entire first and longest day of Jesus’ life. So, let's pick it up. Are you ready?

The calling of the first disciples. Verse 14, After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. The time has come, He said. The kingdom of God is near, or literally at hand. As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Come, follow Me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men. Notice this. At once they left their nets and followed Him.

When they had gone a little farther, He saw James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John in a boat preparing their nets. Without delay, He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.

So, let's pause for a moment. When, when you read the book of Mark, you're a Roman, and, and I want you to think kind of like, what would it be like for us if we were following Jesus in that day? What Mark wants them to understand is about His authority and how people would make radical changes from the status quo.

If you were a Roman and a soldier told you, pick that up and walk a mile with me, you did not ask him questions. You picked it up and walked a mile with him. That's the way it was. If a senator in Rome, it's a very top down power, authority, we have the power, we have the rule, we speak, you follow. And what Mark is doing as he's passing on Peter's preaching that happened in Rome, especially to Gentile Christians, he's giving them a window into who this Jesus is. He has the kind of presence and power and authority and then He'll tell them why and he'll prove it. That when He speaks, they immediately follow.

And so, what's the implication? The implication, if we were there in that day, reading this, and we were in Rome, we would read that, and we'd think, wow, who, who, who is this man, who, who is this man who walks up to fishermen, He speaks, they follow.

Who is this man that goes a little farther and immediately He speaks and they follow? Well, now what he's going to do is he's going to show you Jesus’ pattern of developing His disciples and what they need to learn about Him. And what they need to learn about where He's headed and where He's going.

So, Jesus’ public ministry begins. We hear what His preaching is. He says, the kingdom of God is near, or it's at hand. And what was His message? Repent. Um, in, in the New Testament it's a compound word. Metanoia. Meta means with, noia is our mind, or to change one's mind.

So, Jesus come and his message is, John said repent and acknowledge that you have a sin problem. That you're not who God calls you to be. You're not perfect. You're, you're, there's a barrier between you and God. Own your stuff. Your, your selfishness, your sin, your adultery, your immorality, your powering up on people, whatever it is. And people come out and, and they recognize, they say, yeah, yes, I have a problem.

Now Jesus comes and he says, repent, change your mind, okay? Like you have and then believe the good news and this is the introduction of this word the gospel and this word gospel you know for us It means the gospel and the Bible and Paul gives us the definition of the gospel, first Corinthians 15, In this context he's saying there is good news this word was used of Kings, when they were going to make an announcement, and they would blow trumpets, and it would be the u'angelion, or the good news, we won this victory, or this great thing has happened.

And so, Jesus is really saying, there's hope, there's good news. You've been waiting, you've been praying, notice early on, he said this is the beginning of the gospel, right? The son of God, the Messiah, He's come, He's here. So, repent from your sin, believe and trust in the good news. Well, what is that? That the king has come and now what we're going to learn is He's going to bring good news in how He lives, as he serves and loves, and then in order for the good news to get to everyone, He's actually going to suffer and die in our place and pay for our sin and rise from the dead.

And then the full meaning of this gospel will have to do with a new relationship with Jesus as we turn from our sin, metanoia, change our mind, receive Christ, the Spirit of God comes into our life, we're birthed and given a new birth or a new life. If any man or if any woman is in Christ, we're a new creation. The old things pass away. Behold, all things become new. Now, that's what we know, right? We have a lot more of the story. But what he's doing now is he's walking them through the journey. So, now, are you ready?

Scene number one, if you will. He has four disciples. They're following Him. Now think, they've left everything. This isn't, I just believe in Jesus. There was a cost. Think about that. Think of the implications for you and me. And then ask yourself, what would you need to know about this man? For Peter, it was, I'm going to leave, living with my wife for a season.

Now, he went back and visited, et cetera. But, uh, for James and John, it's, we're building a family business. I mean, it's not like they had a 401k, or it's not like they've got investments, or a, you know, a Swiss bank account that, hey, if this doesn't work out, this is a, I'm in. There's something about this man, there's something about His message, there's something that He is the Messiah. Everything I know, I've got to follow Him.

And now what he's going to do is take them through a journey where they can trust Him. They went to Capernaum. And when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and He began to teach. The people were amazed at His teaching. Why? Because He taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.

Just then, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God. Be quiet. Jesus said sternly, come out of him. And the evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all amazed. And they asked each other, what is this? A new teaching and with authority. He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey Him. News about Him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

Now, put yourself, I want this to be sort of, you are there moments for you and for me. Imagine being Peter, and Andrew, and James, and John. I mean, since you were a little kid, you've been going to synagogues, right? You know, this is what we do, and they read the scroll, and they do this. The one group sits over here, and the other group sits over here. When you were a little kid, it was a little boring at times.

But you memorized the first five books of the Old Testament because you're a good Jewish little boy. And He goes into a synagogue. And He teaches and BAM, an evil spirit. And He speaks to it and shuts it up. And what? Everyone is amazed. What's the message? He has authority. He has power. And if you're a Roman growing up in Rome, the thing you value the most is power. And He's got it.

Now the question is, how will He use this power?

As soon as He left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother in law was in bed with fever, and they told Jesus about her. Pause. They just made Him aware. What does someone with that kind of power do when He's aware of a hurt or a need of someone that you love? Well, let's find out.

So, He went to her and took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and what did she do? And she began to wait on them. And those little phrases are so interesting. There's a need, Oh, your mother-in-law is sick? Jesus goes to her. He heals her. So, you've seen a demon cast out in a synagogue, put your, play it in your mind, right? Peter, James, John, you just let Him know there's a problem, her fever leaves, and then what does she do, what is Mark telling us, when Jesus does something in you, immediately, people are starting to do things for others. So, she gets up and starts serving.

And that evening, after sunset, the people brought to Jesus, notice this, all the sick and demon-possessed. If you happen to be able to have your Bible open right now as we're doing this, circle the word all. Imagine that. People pouring in and all around that house. They brought all the sick and demon-possessed, the whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He drove out many demons, but He would not let the demons speak, because they knew who He was.

Lesson number one. Peter, I've called you to follow Me. Why? You're going to make Fisher of men. Andrew, James, John. Okay? You get it? I have authority. I have power. That is not the issue. We've got a problem, even if it's evil, a demonic spirit, I have authority over it.

How do I use that authority? I use that authority to love and serve people. This is the longest day recorded in all of Jesus’ life. I mean from the synagogue that would meet to, I mean wee hours of the night. I mean, diseases and healing and struggles and the whole town, I want you to picture in your mind people packing in and pressing against one another and Peter, Peter, no, no, no, you gotta, you gotta help my dad. He's the one that's really hurting, not this other person over here and everyone kind of this, this chaotic moment and Jesus one by one by one by one serving, serving, serving, serving, serving. Healing, healing, healing, delivering, and finally everyone goes home.

And Peter hits the sack, and he's excited, his mind is swirling, and he's seen His authority and seen His power. He's never seen people loved and healed like this ever in his life, and everyone goes to bed and Jesus is now going to teach him that I have authority and I have power, but My power is not from Myself. In fact, John would really tell us more about this. John would let us know that Jesus would say, I can do nothing on My own initiative. I only work as I see My father working and he's, he's modeling for you and for me that we can't live the Christian life.

We have to depend on the Spirit of God and, and so now Jesus is going to show them and model for them. If you're going to follow Me, yes, power is available and we don't use this power for ourselves. We use it to serve other people. And then finally He's going to show them that, um, dependency on the father, getting His guidance is absolutely crucial.

And so, it says, very early in the morning. And I like another version that says literally, a great while before dawn. Now think of what His life, think of what the last night was like. A great while before dawn. While it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place where He prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for Him and when they found Him they exclaimed everyone is looking for You, right? I mean if you think last night was good everyone's come around you're the Messiah, we're doing this. You are famous! This is awesome! People are coming. And, you know, right? and I’m, they came to my house and I'm one of Your followers I'm one of Your inside guys. Jesus, You got to come back here.

Notice Jesus response. He replied, Let us go somewhere else, to nearby villages, so I can preach there also. That is why I have come. So, He traveled throughout Galilee preaching in the synagogues and driving out demons.

Jesus makes this statement, and literally He says, I must go. And that little phrase, must go, is what's called a, idea of necessity. It's a little word that says, when this word shows up, there's no option. This is what I've got to do. And I remember reading a commentary many, many years ago about this passage, and I thought it was so insightful. And the commentator said, I think Jesus was bombarded with pressure from every side, and it was like He did all that ministry, and He got alone with the Father, and He recalibrated, and He had to remember, this is why I came.

Don't you need to do that? I mean, under pressure, and you get busy. Don't you need to get alone with God and, and say, Lord, you know, I've got pressures. I've got demands. I've got work. Some of you have kids, some of you have challenges, some of you have health issues. Some of you have anxiety issues. Some of you are overwhelmed with other people's problems, and, and Jesus was experiencing all that chaos. And here's what He modeled for them. I am gonna get up early.

No matter the cost, no matter the night I had before, because what I need more than sleep, I've got to hear from my Father. I've got to share with Him how I feel. I've got to tell Him where I'm struggling. Remember, He's fully human. And I've got to get direction and guidance. I need to know what God wants Me to do.

That's what Jesus is doing. He's got, He's got power. He uses power to serve and He's saying to them, if you're going to follow Me, you have to spend time with the Father, to do His will, His way, for His glory.

And then, it kind of raises a question, because we all have our preconceived ideas. So, they're getting the idea of, we're going to follow You, wow, we're going to experience some really crazy stuff. And now, the underlying question that Mark wants them to sort of experience is, who, who can be involved in this? I mean, Rome is very, you know, there's hierarchy. You know, you got this group, then this group, then this group, you know, it's, um, who's Jesus really, who's His target audience, you know, if you were in the marketing world. And so, we're going to find out His target audience, uh, as we travel.

And so, it says in verse 40, a man with leprosy came to Him and begged on his knees, if You are willing, You can make me clean. Leprosy. I mean, they had a bell around their neck, they had to yell when they got near people, Leper, leper, and the bell so we could stay away from them. I mean, they were the lowest of the lowest of the lowest on the social ladder. I mean, subhuman.

And Mark wants us to know, and he wanted them to know, that no one is beyond His reach. And notice the question is not about ability. This leper is like, man, the word's out. I mean, You're the miracle, You're the miracle dude. I mean, You can do whatever. The issue isn't do You have power. The issue is very simple. Would You help someone like me, who is the most unworthy in the social order of my day?

Notice His response, verse 41. Filled with compassion. Jesus doesn't speak. He does the unthinkable. He reaches out His hand and He touched the man. I am willing, He said, be clean. And then here's our word that's used over 40 times. Immediately, the leprosy left him and he was cured. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning, see that you don't tell this to anyone. Go show yourself to the priests and offer sacrifices that Moses commanded.

Notice He's, He's aligning with the law. He's not changing the law, He's fulfilling the law. For your cleansing is a testimony to them. Well, you know what, when God does something great in your life, it's just hard to keep it inside. Instead, he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news, and as a result, He could no longer enter a town openly, but stayed outside in lonely places, yet the people still came to Him from everywhere.

What have we learned? We've learned that Jesus is God and fully man. We've learned that He's brought a message of good news and hope. We've learned that that good message of news and hope requires a repentance, a change of mind, owning, I have a problem, I have a need, and a turning to Him.

And it's not turning to Him just to receive a gift of salvation, awesome, but it's to turn to Him to follow Him. And as we follow Him, He has authority, so He's worthy to be followed. And He has power, and it's available to us and to Him. And He wants to use that power to serve other people. And in serving other people, you will be exhausted and worn out, and get near burnout, and you'll have struggles. So, your renewal and your guidance has to come from the Father. And then, He's telling us that our target audience is everyone.

It's dramatic, the least of these. So, as this Easter season is upon us, I'd like you to read chapter two, uh, in terms of preparation for our next time together. And I would like you to ask God, who is a least of these? Who's a person that you know, a person that you see and drive by, that today, God wants you to get out of the status quo, get off your focus on yourself, and take some small step in an act of love to help someone that most people don't care about.