Jesus Came to Serve

February 20, 2011

Background Scripture: Mark 10:35 – 45
Lesson Passage: Mark 10:35 – 45

About two decades ago many large corporations came to the conclusion that the management pyramid which established hierarchy among the various ranks of management was perhaps a bigger problem than it was a solution to organizational management. For one thing, the pyramid with the point at the top and the broad base symbolically showed the masses at the bottom working to support the few “top dogs” at the top. Secondly, the ones at the bottom who appeared to work the hardest were rewarded the least and the few at the top who seemingly did not work as hard were receiving outrageous salaries and bonuses. The proposed solution was to simply turn the pyramid upside down. Now, the few were at the bottom and were accountable for supporting the masses that reported to them. Unfortunately, this new management hierarchy did not catch on in the corporate environment. Many of the top executives did not want to be servants but rather bosses. Some had done some very unethical things to “achieve” their “success” and they were not about to adopt some philosophy that placed them at the bottom again. Since most “for profit” companies are driven by the bottom line financial view and not ethics, then greed and other behaviors that sometimes motivate people to fight to make it to the top of the pyramid demanded the pyramid be returned to its familiar form of a broad bottom and a peak at the top. Sadly, much of this same attitude finds its way into the local church. There are many in our local churches that go out of their way to receive titles rather than achieve ministry results through serving others. This is not a new problem nor is it the offspring of the American corporate experience as evidenced by our text today. Jesus had just reminded his disciples of his impending crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection. This was the third time this reminder had been given to them according to the gospel accounts. Instead of receiving what Jesus was saying and learning from him what it meant, two of his disciples, James and John, were scheming how to climb the pyramid and take their place right next to Jesus when he returned to his glory. They seemed unwilling to wait for the possibility to be chosen for this honor later. Instead, they outlined to Jesus precisely what they wanted. As I reflect on this scene, it is refreshing to know that an omniscient Lord had hand picked these men to be his disciples and yet it seems that he was often busy keeping them on task as his followers and students. I say it is refreshing because I think about God’s selection of me for eternal salvation and yet how often I have to be reminded to stay on task through the process of sanctification. It is also encouraging to know that Jesus knew all along what to expect and he patiently worked with them even as he works with us today guiding us to spiritual maturity. This lesson can also serve as a reminder that when we have to choose Christians to serve in some capacity of ministry, we should not expect them to be any more perfect or spiritually mature than we are. They too will sometimes use the wrong model to pattern themselves after. Jesus turned the pyramid upside down and placed himself at the bottom as the ultimate example of a servant to all. Then he warned his disciples to beware of using worldly examples to provide service to others as ambassadors of his. Jesus came to serve and that is the model he gave his disciples to follow.

Robert C. Hudson
February 11, 2011

Jesus is God’s Son

February 13, 2011

Background Scripture: Mark 9:2 – 13
Lesson Passage: Mark 9:2 – 13

If there is any statement that appears to go counter to the doctrine of Judaism as expressed by the Pharisees, the scribes and the Sadducees it is the notion or idea of God having a human son. In the first place it is unimaginable that the limitations that appear to be imposed by humanity could allow for the existence of the entire essence of God within the human framework. Secondly, the idea that a holy God would allow Himself to exist on the level of humanity seems to elevate humanity to a level that was familiar to idol worshipers of Greece and Rome. Furthermore, the idea that God would present Himself as three distinct persons was also farfetched. It was within this cloud of unbelief—or disbelief—and confusion that Jesus would appear as a light of understanding and working miracles in such a way that it was declared “It was never so seen in Israel”. Jewish doctrine as espoused by the Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees was in error in that they presupposed that the human mind is capable of understanding the nature and person of God without God’s guidance. I refer to the manner in which the doctrine was interpreted as the culprit in that nothing in the writings of the Old Testament from whence Jewish doctrine is drawn is in opposition to the teachings or declarations of Jesus. However, Jesus’ declarations and teachings were in opposition to the Jewish interpretations of the Old Testament writings. On one occasion it is recorded in the gospel that Jesus invited some of them to search the Old Testament scriptures for they testified of him. Our lesson text today should settle the matter for all professing Christians. The text presents the only unimpeachable source in existence declaring that Jesus is the Son of God. That source is God Himself. He did not use the instrument of human vocal cords to declare this but He spoke with His own voice out of the cloud that appeared over that mountain. The text presents what we have come to know as the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain top. Jesus took three disciples with him that would later give witness to the event, Peter, James, and John. What a scene these three did witness. They saw Jesus standing there in the brightness of his glory talking to Moses and Elijah. Moses and Elijah are arguably the greatest of the Jewish heroes. Moses was the deliver who was used mightily by God to bring the nation of Israel out of Egyptian bondage and he wrote and gave that nation the law of God to govern them. Elijah was the greatest of the miracle working prophets who had withstood a sinful Jewish king and brought the wrath of God upon him and his ungodly wife, Jezebel. Jesus would now be seen in a very different light by those three witnesses and they would go on to testify about it. When Peter suggested that all three men be honored by having shrines built for them on that mountain, his rebuke did not come from either of the three but from God. God overshadowed them with a cloud and removed Moses and Elijah. Then He declared that Jesus is His beloved Son and they should listen to Jesus.


Robert C. Hudson
February 5, 2011

Jesus is the Messiah

February 6, 2011

Background Scripture: Mark 8:27 – 9:1
Lesson Passage: Mark 8:27 – 9:1

“Messiah” is a word of Hebrew origin that is only used four times in the King James translation of the bible (twice in Daniel and twice in the Gospel of John). The word messiah means to rub with oil for consecration to a religious office such as priest, king, or saint. Put another way, the word messiah means “to anoint” or “to be anointed”. The idea of anointing is expressed many times in the bible in both the Old and the New Testament. It is most often rendered “anointed” in the Old Testament and “Christ” in the New Testament. The New Testament references tend not to use the word in a general sense (as did the Old Testament) but more to refer to the specific anointed person who God has chosen for end-time ministry and the worldwide proclamation of the gospel message. It is in this sense that the topic of our lesson today refers to the Messiah or Christ of God. Since the days of Moses, Israel had long anticipated the arrival of God’s anointed one whose coming was prophesied by Moses. Apparently many false messiahs had arisen but over the course of time they were proven to be counterfeits or fakes. The text of our lesson, along with the parallel accounts found in Matthew and Luke’s accounts of the gospel, gives us the setting where Peter would make perhaps his most popular declaration of all. While in the coast of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus questioned his disciples concerning the rumors of his identity. Peter declared that Jesus was the anointed one of Israel that had been long anticipated. This occurred after the disciples had given Jesus a list of names that others had used in referring to Jesus’ identity. But when Jesus made the question personal for his disciples and not just a conversation about the local rumors, Peter responded with a notion that apparently was not part of the local rumor mill. Jesus was not just another mighty prophet sent from God as the rumors described him. But Peter’s declaration was that Jesus is the one. Jesus was he who had been sought by Israel for centuries. Our lesson passage has been taught and expounded upon for years—especially as a theme for church anniversaries. We quickly rush pass the announcement about Jesus’ identity and get on to the part that talks about the establishment of the New Testament church. Today it is worth pausing to consider what it means that Jesus is the Messiah. At the beginning of his ministry, John the Baptist had pointed Jesus out to two of his disciples as being the Lamb of God. One of them, Andrew, left John the Baptist and followed Jesus. Andrew then recruited his brother Simon (Peter) by telling him that Jesus was the Christ of God. In our text today, Jesus was at a point in his ministry where his fame went throughout the land. This fame caused many to try to figure out exactly who is this Jesus. This pondering is apparently what started the rumor mill about Jesus’ identity. God’s revelation to Peter, however, dispelled those rumors. Jesus is the Messiah.


Robert C. Hudson
January 31, 2011