WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.960 Well, the passage before us presents an early transition point in Mark's proclamation of Jesus's identity and purpose. 00:00:12.419 --> 00:00:23.160 This section really serves as a means of moving the story along, and what Mark is doing is summarizing this early stage of Jesus's life. 00:00:23.160 --> 00:00:38.100 Now, up to this point, Mark has introduced us to the early displays of power in Jesus's ministry, and he's also told us of the early reactions of the religious establishment to Jesus. 00:00:38.679 --> 00:00:49.079 Now, he is beginning to transition away from this early season of ministry to the more dominant portion of Christ's ministry in Galilee. 00:00:49.079 --> 00:00:58.659 The transition here, the reason we read both sections, is because it's really made up of two different events, two different scenes or episodes, whatever you'd want to call them. 00:00:59.280 --> 00:01:11.859 The first summarizes the nature of Jesus's meteoric rise in popularity, and it provides really a fitting close to this first section of the book. 00:01:11.859 --> 00:01:21.079 The second episode summarizes the calling of his twelve disciples, and it initiates the development of the next few chapters. 00:01:21.260 --> 00:01:25.500 So, in a literary sense, that's what's happening here in these verses. 00:01:26.400 --> 00:01:32.420 These sections, they're not difficult. They're not complicated. They're actually useful to our understanding. 00:01:32.420 --> 00:01:37.680 They further validate Jesus's claims of divinity. 00:01:38.519 --> 00:01:44.740 They show that Jesus had a purpose to achieve, as he calls his disciples and commissions them. 00:01:45.140 --> 00:01:52.620 They reveal the pressure that Jesus felt, how he relates to us as being human as well. 00:01:52.620 --> 00:02:02.640 And then they remind us of the true nature of discipleship and what it actually means to be a follower of Christ and not just a part of the crowd. 00:02:03.260 --> 00:02:08.500 And so, it's significant here. Let's take a moment to work through this first scene this morning. 00:02:08.960 --> 00:02:10.159 Look with me again at verse 7. 00:02:11.200 --> 00:02:16.340 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea or to the lake. 00:02:17.140 --> 00:02:20.439 Now, this isn't the first time that Jesus has done this in the Gospel of Mark. 00:02:20.439 --> 00:02:26.759 You'll remember that in the first chapter, at the end, Jesus cleanses the leper. 00:02:27.240 --> 00:02:32.740 And because the leprous man disobeyed the Lord, he had to switch places with him. 00:02:33.180 --> 00:02:36.919 The leper was now in the city. He was fine. He was healed. He could be around all the people. 00:02:37.199 --> 00:02:41.300 But Jesus was then forced to minister for a season in desert places. 00:02:41.300 --> 00:02:49.259 That was the result of the pressure that was put on him because of the crowds and really the leprous man's disobedience. 00:02:49.259 --> 00:02:52.959 Then when we get to chapter 2, we see the healing of the paralytic. 00:02:53.399 --> 00:02:57.379 And after that, Jesus initiates a move to the lake. 00:02:57.759 --> 00:03:02.340 He himself decides that he's going to go out in order to accommodate the crowds. 00:03:02.439 --> 00:03:07.519 And then when we come to this part in chapter 3, it's really a mixture of both of those things. 00:03:07.620 --> 00:03:10.219 It's the plotting of the Pharisees from verse 6. 00:03:10.379 --> 00:03:12.099 That's where we left off last week. Look at it again. 00:03:12.099 --> 00:03:18.840 And the Pharisees went forth and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. 00:03:19.519 --> 00:03:21.579 So Jesus is in the city, maybe Capernaum. 00:03:21.680 --> 00:03:23.579 And he's in Capernaum. He's teaching in the synagogue. 00:03:23.579 --> 00:03:26.000 And now the Pharisees are ticked off again. 00:03:26.379 --> 00:03:35.280 And they go and they consult with their political enemies to see if they can find a way to, quote-unquote, legally murder Jesus. 00:03:35.280 --> 00:03:39.620 And so Jesus, sensing that, is moving out of the city a little bit. 00:03:39.680 --> 00:03:43.120 He's getting away from the Pharisees to an extent. 00:03:43.659 --> 00:03:44.819 That's happening here. 00:03:44.920 --> 00:03:50.860 But there's also this fact of these growing crowds that are initiating Jesus' move. 00:03:50.939 --> 00:03:56.400 He is initiating that more than he's running from any type of opposition. 00:03:56.400 --> 00:04:04.319 And we're immediately reminded again of the unstoppable nature of Jesus' purpose. 00:04:05.599 --> 00:04:10.540 No matter what confronted him, no matter what circumstances he found himself in, 00:04:11.360 --> 00:04:16.800 Jesus was committed to faithfully fulfilling his task, his ministry. 00:04:17.399 --> 00:04:20.579 He was faithfully seeking to preach the gospel. 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:22.500 He wanted to heal the people. 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:29.819 He was on his way to the cross, so to speak, but he had a purpose in the meantime as he is marching his way there. 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:31.439 And there was no circumstance. 00:04:31.779 --> 00:04:33.300 There was no outside pressure. 00:04:33.459 --> 00:04:37.560 There was no opposition that was going to prevent him from doing that. 00:04:38.220 --> 00:04:40.819 And there's a tremendous lesson for us in this. 00:04:42.040 --> 00:04:49.620 We cannot allow the fear of opposition to prevent us from doing what is right. 00:04:49.620 --> 00:04:56.540 Look, it's pretty clear that being a Christian is not going to get easier. 00:04:57.699 --> 00:04:58.480 It's not. 00:04:59.540 --> 00:05:03.699 In these next few years, it's actually probably going to get much more difficult. 00:05:04.660 --> 00:05:11.139 And what I mean by that is this cultural Christianity is going to die. 00:05:11.860 --> 00:05:13.180 It's going to die soon. 00:05:13.420 --> 00:05:14.319 You know what I mean by that? 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:21.560 The cultural Christianity that says that Christianity is a part of my life, that's what I am, but they really don't know Christ, and they're really not following Christ. 00:05:22.099 --> 00:05:24.420 Pop into church maybe from here or there. 00:05:24.500 --> 00:05:28.579 Maybe they associate with a particular group, but it's just a cultural label. 00:05:28.719 --> 00:05:33.199 I'm an American, therefore I'm probably a Christian, at least in the southern United States. 00:05:33.300 --> 00:05:34.759 That's what it is, right? 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:36.180 There is a cultural Christianity. 00:05:37.060 --> 00:05:38.259 That's going to die soon. 00:05:38.959 --> 00:05:40.039 It's going to die soon. 00:05:40.040 --> 00:05:52.400 It has to, because there is opposition coming from outside forces, outside of the church, that are going to make it more and more difficult to be a Christian, to at least claim to be a Christian. 00:05:52.720 --> 00:05:54.660 You know what's going to happen when we hit that opposition? 00:05:56.439 --> 00:05:57.379 Do we cower? 00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:01.400 Do we decide to stop taking a stand on what the Bible teaches? 00:06:01.399 --> 00:06:09.239 Well, the example of Jesus was that there was no fear of opposition that prevented him from doing what was right, and it shouldn't prevent us either. 00:06:10.339 --> 00:06:23.120 At the same time, we can't be so rigid in our preferences that we stop moving forward in the work that God has called us to do. 00:06:23.120 --> 00:06:33.399 Well, Jesus' ongoing ministry, by the lake, grew exponentially here, and an environment of chaos very quickly ensued. 00:06:34.840 --> 00:06:45.660 Jesus was always willing to show compassion to the people that followed him, but crowds are not presented favorably in the Gospels. 00:06:45.660 --> 00:06:55.300 Have you noticed that as you read your Bible, and you read through Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and John, very seldomly are crowds presented in a favorable light? 00:06:55.980 --> 00:06:58.980 More often than not, crowds are associated with error. 00:06:59.520 --> 00:07:05.240 They're associated with danger, misunderstanding, greed, and so on. 00:07:05.240 --> 00:07:16.280 The true followers of Jesus often came out of these crowds, but very few people in the crowds actually became true followers of Jesus. 00:07:17.019 --> 00:07:26.800 And so as we study these crowds, we see we might would be enamored by their success and not necessarily even surprised by the numerical growth of what was happening around Jesus, 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:31.060 but the Scripture very seldomly actually presents these crowds favorably. 00:07:31.060 --> 00:07:38.780 What we see in these verses is the crowd actually descending into chaos, and the overall tone of this passage is very negative. 00:07:39.240 --> 00:07:40.000 It's not positive. 00:07:40.740 --> 00:07:41.459 So let's look at it. 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:51.040 I've just come up with just a handful of notes as we work through these verses, just simple phrases that we can hang our thoughts on this morning if you want to do that and write these down. 00:07:51.160 --> 00:07:54.019 The first thing I wrote down is huge crowds. 00:07:55.019 --> 00:07:56.699 Huge crowds. 00:07:57.420 --> 00:07:58.560 Look again at verse 7. 00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:08.060 And a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and from beyond Jordan. 00:08:08.439 --> 00:08:15.680 And they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him. 00:08:16.720 --> 00:08:21.759 Now at this point in Jesus' ministry, his popularity had absolutely exploded. 00:08:23.220 --> 00:08:26.899 Thousands upon thousands of people are traveling. 00:08:26.899 --> 00:08:33.379 Some of them are traveling over 100 miles on foot to get to where Jesus is. 00:08:34.059 --> 00:08:36.419 This is really quite remarkable when you think about it. 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:38.519 This isn't 2021. 00:08:39.079 --> 00:08:43.039 This is first century Israel, Palestine. 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:47.139 Information didn't travel in those days like it travels now. 00:08:47.240 --> 00:08:50.600 There was nobody at one of Jesus' healings when he was healing the paralytic. 00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:52.240 There was nobody there with their iPhone. 00:08:53.399 --> 00:08:58.340 Live stream into Facebook so that all their friends in Idumea and Tyre and Sidon could see what was happening. 00:08:58.420 --> 00:08:59.360 None of that is happening here. 00:08:59.420 --> 00:09:00.080 There's no newspapers. 00:09:00.879 --> 00:09:01.980 There's nothing like that. 00:09:02.420 --> 00:09:03.540 Word traveled by mouth. 00:09:04.100 --> 00:09:05.940 And there was word that was beginning to travel. 00:09:06.019 --> 00:09:09.860 But it meant somebody had to leave their home in Galilee to go somewhere else to talk about it. 00:09:09.879 --> 00:09:14.100 And of course, by natural processes of trade and business, that begins to happen. 00:09:14.100 --> 00:09:18.980 But it didn't take very long and Jesus' ministry began to explode. 00:09:19.980 --> 00:09:21.279 All of these people are coming. 00:09:21.379 --> 00:09:22.680 Do you see from all the different places? 00:09:22.940 --> 00:09:24.720 Of course, they're coming from all around Galilee. 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:26.200 They're coming from Judea. 00:09:26.460 --> 00:09:27.779 They're coming from Jerusalem. 00:09:28.100 --> 00:09:29.580 We expect those places, right? 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:32.300 But then they also come from Idumea. 00:09:32.420 --> 00:09:35.639 That's a section south of Judea. 00:09:35.639 --> 00:09:41.600 Probably 120, 140 miles they had to go to get to Galilee where Jesus was. 00:09:42.279 --> 00:09:43.279 And that was in the south. 00:09:43.620 --> 00:09:45.279 And then there were people coming from the east. 00:09:45.779 --> 00:09:48.000 The Transjordan area over the Jordan. 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:49.259 There were people coming from over there. 00:09:49.460 --> 00:09:50.799 There were people coming from the north. 00:09:51.259 --> 00:09:52.340 Tyre and Sidon. 00:09:52.720 --> 00:09:53.879 Nobody's coming from the west. 00:09:53.960 --> 00:09:55.059 That's the Mediterranean Sea. 00:09:55.159 --> 00:09:56.100 Nobody could come from there. 00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:59.120 But they were coming from the north and the east and the south. 00:10:00.120 --> 00:10:05.259 Some have estimated that tens of thousands of people were coming to Jesus 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:05.960 at one time. 00:10:06.019 --> 00:10:09.559 Just this overflow of people coming to Jesus in Galilee. 00:10:10.319 --> 00:10:13.679 And if you pick up on those regions, it's not just Jews. 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:17.679 It's Jews coming from Galilee and Judea and maybe the Transjordan area. 00:10:17.799 --> 00:10:20.360 But the Transjordan area was also a mixed group. 00:10:21.299 --> 00:10:23.700 Tyre and Sidon was almost exclusively Gentile. 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:26.319 So there are people from all over the place. 00:10:26.319 --> 00:10:27.799 All kinds of diversity. 00:10:28.220 --> 00:10:32.500 All kinds of numbers coming to Jesus at this point. 00:10:32.500 --> 00:10:39.340 Well, why is it that Mark is so intent on emphasizing the size and diversity of these crowds? 00:10:41.379 --> 00:10:46.100 In addition to giving just a realistic depiction of Jesus' ministry, 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:52.940 it actually adds credibility and validation to what Jesus was doing. 00:10:53.820 --> 00:10:54.940 Think about this. 00:10:54.940 --> 00:10:57.680 Why were these people coming to Jesus? 00:10:58.340 --> 00:11:00.180 Because they heard what he could do. 00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:06.200 And the credibility of those stories was so strong 00:11:06.200 --> 00:11:10.020 that people are coming from all over the place to see it themselves. 00:11:10.220 --> 00:11:13.000 And you'll never find one time in the New Testament 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:17.120 anyone who denied the reality of these healings. 00:11:17.820 --> 00:11:18.680 No one. 00:11:18.679 --> 00:11:21.299 Not even his enemies. 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:24.899 The Pharisees knew exactly what he was capable of. 00:11:24.959 --> 00:11:27.059 Remember the last scene that we studied last week. 00:11:27.599 --> 00:11:29.500 They brought this man with a withered hand 00:11:29.500 --> 00:11:31.519 because they knew Jesus would heal him 00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:34.239 and they just wanted to trap him for doing it on the Sabbath. 00:11:34.599 --> 00:11:35.799 They knew who he was. 00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:37.379 They knew his power. 00:11:37.479 --> 00:11:38.359 They didn't deny it. 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:41.079 They just attributed it to Satan instead of God 00:11:41.079 --> 00:11:42.659 as we'll get to in just a couple of weeks. 00:11:43.439 --> 00:11:45.620 No one denied his power. 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:49.039 Remember, these crowds coming together give validity. 00:11:49.500 --> 00:11:52.159 These are eyewitnesses that are not just 12 men 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:54.539 who followed him loosely and came up with this plan, 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:57.840 this elaborate plan to deceive the world for 2,000 years. 00:11:59.060 --> 00:12:02.000 These are thousands of people that are coming and witnessing this 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:04.639 and then they're going elsewhere to tell everybody else about it as well. 00:12:04.740 --> 00:12:06.560 And so the news of Jesus begins to spread. 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:08.519 That's why Mark is writing about this. 00:12:08.860 --> 00:12:09.779 It's not just a narrative. 00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:14.060 It's credibility because what is Mark's purpose in writing this gospel? 00:12:14.059 --> 00:12:17.539 to proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah. 00:12:17.939 --> 00:12:21.519 And this was proof that that is indeed the case. 00:12:22.459 --> 00:12:26.379 Now the point immediately forces us to make a decision about Jesus. 00:12:29.059 --> 00:12:32.959 If thousands of people, including Jesus' enemies, 00:12:33.959 --> 00:12:35.399 acknowledged his power, 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:39.419 who are we to deny it? 00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:43.199 It's interesting, isn't it? 00:12:44.479 --> 00:12:45.899 When Jesus was living, 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:48.860 when everybody was around him, 00:12:49.479 --> 00:12:52.879 nobody questioned the credibility or the validity of what he was doing. 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:57.219 No, that came hundreds of years later with people that weren't there, 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:58.719 that weren't around. 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:00.919 And they just decided that, 00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:03.360 well, there's no way that that could ever possibly happen 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:04.299 because, you know, science. 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:06.360 And since science doesn't agree with it, 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:08.680 then there's no way that this could actually happen. 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:10.759 But there are thousands of eyewitnesses that say otherwise. 00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:13.919 You're forced to make a decision about Christ at this point in this passage. 00:13:15.419 --> 00:13:16.899 Because if this is real, 00:13:17.580 --> 00:13:19.860 if this is really who Jesus is, 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:22.580 then we are held accountable to his message. 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:25.019 And his message was, 00:13:25.340 --> 00:13:26.820 the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:28.259 And he was a reference to himself. 00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:29.240 I am here. 00:13:29.419 --> 00:13:30.560 I am the Son of God. 00:13:30.700 --> 00:13:31.759 I am the Messiah. 00:13:32.320 --> 00:13:34.460 Repent and believe the good news. 00:13:34.460 --> 00:13:37.519 And for those of us that deny that, 00:13:37.700 --> 00:13:39.879 we do not receive what he then offers, 00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:43.940 which is the forgiveness and mercy and grace and eternal life. 00:13:44.980 --> 00:13:46.280 So you must make your decision. 00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:49.639 Is Jesus really who he said he was? 00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:53.280 Was this an elaborate conspiracy 00:13:53.280 --> 00:13:57.080 that involved multiple nations 00:13:57.080 --> 00:13:59.420 and thousands of people 00:13:59.420 --> 00:14:01.980 that conspired to fool us today? 00:14:01.980 --> 00:14:04.420 I don't think so. 00:14:04.740 --> 00:14:05.440 Huge crowds. 00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:07.340 Number two, imminent danger. 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.920 Imminent danger. 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:11.480 Look with me at verse nine. 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:14.600 And Jesus spoke to his disciples 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:18.019 and he told them to get a small ship 00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:19.600 that it should wait on him 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:21.060 because of the multitude, 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:24.159 lest they should throng him. 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:27.100 Now the actions of the hordes of people 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:29.539 posed a physical threat to Jesus and his disciples. 00:14:29.539 --> 00:14:34.240 This is not Jesus adding an aid 00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:36.039 to his preaching ministry. 00:14:36.199 --> 00:14:38.299 The boat wasn't a tool in this story. 00:14:39.059 --> 00:14:40.740 This was an escape plan. 00:14:42.219 --> 00:14:45.099 This wasn't Jesus hoping that people will hear him. 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:47.360 This is Jesus having his disciples 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:48.919 ready to hit the road 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:51.059 in case things go south real quick. 00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:52.480 How do we know that? 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.719 Well, the verse tells us. 00:14:54.719 --> 00:14:55.819 He spoke to his disciples 00:14:55.819 --> 00:14:57.299 that a small ship should wait on him 00:14:57.299 --> 00:14:58.359 because of the multitude, 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:01.279 lest they should throng him. 00:15:02.099 --> 00:15:04.299 The word translated as throng here, 00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:05.219 it may be something different 00:15:05.219 --> 00:15:06.219 in your scripture journals, 00:15:06.699 --> 00:15:07.939 indicates violence. 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:11.620 It means to crush or to press. 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:14.539 In that context of first century Israel, 00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:16.699 it would be to press like grapes 00:15:16.699 --> 00:15:17.779 in a wine press. 00:15:18.579 --> 00:15:19.259 Jesus is saying, 00:15:19.339 --> 00:15:20.079 get a boat ready 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:22.980 just in case the crowd presses me, 00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:25.139 crushes me, 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:26.840 presses me like grapes. 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:28.180 This is violence. 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:29.879 This is a violent crowd. 00:15:30.060 --> 00:15:32.860 It gives me the picture of the news stories 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:34.820 that we see every Black Friday 00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:36.740 and after Thanksgiving, right? 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.780 We see it all the time. 00:15:39.160 --> 00:15:40.320 That's what's happening with Jesus. 00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:41.700 These people are gathering. 00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:44.300 You get the picture that in the process of this, 00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:45.860 people are fighting. 00:15:45.860 --> 00:15:47.980 They're fighting one another 00:15:47.980 --> 00:15:49.500 to get to where Jesus is. 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:50.879 They're trying to get, 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:53.180 they're trying to touch him 00:15:53.180 --> 00:15:55.279 and it becomes chaotic. 00:15:56.700 --> 00:15:58.600 And in their attempts to get to Jesus, 00:15:59.180 --> 00:16:00.899 they actually became a threat to him. 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:04.360 Now, before we move on, 00:16:04.440 --> 00:16:06.759 there's something striking to me 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:09.379 about the way that Jesus prepared 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:11.899 for this potential escape. 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:16.259 Jesus could have done anything 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:18.279 to get away from these people. 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:21.799 He could have literally, 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:24.139 in his power as God, 00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:26.840 immediately transported himself 00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:27.480 and his disciples 00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:28.579 to a completely different place 00:16:28.579 --> 00:16:29.019 and be gone. 00:16:29.699 --> 00:16:30.360 He could have done that. 00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:31.679 He did it in other passages. 00:16:32.519 --> 00:16:33.840 You remember in John chapter six, 00:16:33.959 --> 00:16:35.259 Jesus was walking on water 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:37.059 and the disciples didn't recognize him at first 00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:38.139 and they finally recognize him 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:38.939 and he gets in the boat 00:16:38.939 --> 00:16:40.100 and it says they had been, 00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:41.480 they'd been rowing all night, 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:42.960 contrary to the wind. 00:16:43.060 --> 00:16:43.980 They were fighting to get 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:45.019 to the other side of the shore 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:46.200 and they couldn't make any progress. 00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:48.100 They're stuck out in the middle of the sea. 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:50.440 Jesus gets in the boat 00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:51.539 and it says immediately 00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:53.000 they were at the shore. 00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:54.620 He gets in the boat 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.600 and the disciples look up 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:57.000 and hey, we're not in the sea anymore. 00:16:57.440 --> 00:16:58.759 We're where we wanted to go. 00:16:59.019 --> 00:17:00.399 Okay, Jesus has that power. 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:01.480 He could have done that. 00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:03.899 There was another time in, 00:17:04.140 --> 00:17:06.559 I believe it was Nazareth actually, 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:09.539 where Jesus was being mobbed by a crowd 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:11.899 and it says that he passed through the crowd 00:17:11.899 --> 00:17:13.960 and they did not perceive that he was there. 00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:16.379 This was another miracle moment 00:17:16.379 --> 00:17:17.539 where Jesus is moving through. 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:18.940 But Jesus didn't do that here. 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:20.480 He didn't do that here. 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:23.299 And it strikes me as kind of unusual. 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:26.119 Why wouldn't he do that here? 00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:31.079 It was the ordinary means of a boat 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:33.339 that he used 00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:35.379 instead of displaying his supernatural power. 00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:37.960 Here's the point. 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:40.700 Oftentimes in our prayers, 00:17:40.860 --> 00:17:41.740 we can be guilty 00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:46.120 of requesting a supernatural act from God 00:17:46.120 --> 00:17:49.220 when his plan is really to bless us 00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:52.160 with the ordinary means of grace instead. 00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:57.720 We get behind in our bills maybe 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:59.420 and we're just trying to figure out 00:17:59.420 --> 00:18:00.000 how we're gonna pay it off 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:01.660 and it drives us to prayer, right? 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:03.940 And we get down to what is it that we pray? 00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:05.779 If you're like me, 00:18:05.860 --> 00:18:06.880 it's a selfish prayer. 00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:09.740 Lord, if you would please 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:11.120 just let me go to the mailbox today 00:18:11.120 --> 00:18:12.100 and there just be, 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:14.680 the stimulus check has arrived, Lord. 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:17.000 Would you, whatever it is. 00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:18.019 We pray. 00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:18.720 You know what? 00:18:19.120 --> 00:18:20.400 Sometimes it's not that God 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:22.259 is seeking to supernaturally 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:23.920 drop money from the sky for us. 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:25.700 It may be the ordinary means of a budget. 00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:28.840 It could just be the ordinary means 00:18:28.840 --> 00:18:30.740 of giving you a few extra hours at work 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:32.620 or whatever it may be. 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:34.220 It's the ordinary means of grace 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:35.720 that God brings about. 00:18:36.620 --> 00:18:38.759 It works in other situations in life as well. 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:40.380 We think about, 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:43.519 we pray for health, 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:45.940 particularly when people we know 00:18:45.940 --> 00:18:47.299 are sick and they're struggling, 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:50.140 maybe even knocking at death's door. 00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:53.960 We know that God sometimes works in our bodies 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:54.940 to provide healing 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:57.720 that doctors can't explain and comprehend. 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:59.640 We know that's the work of the Lord. 00:19:00.800 --> 00:19:02.660 Oftentimes that's what we pray for. 00:19:03.300 --> 00:19:05.240 And it's right for us to acknowledge 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:07.560 that God can do that. 00:19:08.100 --> 00:19:09.080 Sometimes he does 00:19:09.080 --> 00:19:10.460 and it's not wrong for us to pray 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:11.540 for divine intervention. 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:13.220 It's not a wrong thing to do. 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:16.180 However, God usually employs 00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:19.079 the ordinary means of technology 00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:22.140 and the education of doctors 00:19:22.140 --> 00:19:23.680 and medicine 00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:26.180 in order to meet those needs. 00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:30.779 We have a tendency to think 00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:32.460 that God is only at work 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:34.100 in the sensational things. 00:19:34.779 --> 00:19:36.240 And it affects our prayer. 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:39.740 It affects the way that we talk about him. 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:42.420 In the way that we praise him. 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:45.180 And my point is that God's work 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:47.319 is not limited to what we perceive 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:48.220 as supernatural. 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:50.759 He often works in ways 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:53.180 that seem completely ordinary. 00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:56.579 Now, our faith 00:19:56.579 --> 00:20:01.160 believes in God's ability to do anything. 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:03.660 And that's right. 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.339 And it's good. 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:07.839 Our gratitude should reflect 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:11.680 that he is sovereign over everything. 00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:16.259 Yes, God can provide supernaturally, 00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:17.519 abundantly, 00:20:17.860 --> 00:20:20.339 in ways that you would have never expected. 00:20:21.140 --> 00:20:24.019 But he provides for you every day 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:25.079 in ordinary ways 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:26.500 that we completely disregard 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:28.980 and never actually show gratitude for. 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:31.200 You say, 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:32.839 well, I got this job that I have right now 00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:34.220 because I filled out an application 00:20:34.220 --> 00:20:35.319 and I interviewed well. 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:36.880 Well, yeah, that's true. 00:20:36.880 --> 00:20:39.560 But that was the ordinary means of grace 00:20:39.560 --> 00:20:40.540 that God used 00:20:40.540 --> 00:20:42.020 to provide you with a job 00:20:42.020 --> 00:20:43.360 that he wanted to bless you with 00:20:43.360 --> 00:20:45.960 to fulfill his purpose. 00:20:46.140 --> 00:20:47.440 He wasn't absent from that. 00:20:47.760 --> 00:20:50.140 God is intricately involved in your life. 00:20:50.620 --> 00:20:51.520 Intricately involved. 00:20:51.620 --> 00:20:53.280 There is nothing in your life 00:20:53.280 --> 00:20:55.800 that his hand is not touching. 00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:57.600 And sometimes, most of the time, 00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:59.200 it's completely ordinary. 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:01.020 So yes, 00:21:01.540 --> 00:21:02.900 pray for the supernatural. 00:21:03.320 --> 00:21:04.580 Pray for God's moving 00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:05.919 in a unique way, 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:06.879 but recognize 00:21:06.879 --> 00:21:08.599 that there's not one moment 00:21:08.599 --> 00:21:09.099 in your life 00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:10.019 that he's not moving. 00:21:10.119 --> 00:21:11.059 There's not one thing 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:11.799 that happens to you 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:15.679 that he hasn't involved himself with. 00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:17.599 Jesus and his disciples 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:18.699 were in imminent danger, 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.659 but Jesus sets an example 00:21:20.659 --> 00:21:21.480 of preparedness 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:23.939 through the ordinary means of grace. 00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:25.119 Well, let's move on. 00:21:25.379 --> 00:21:25.819 Number three, 00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:27.019 greedy hearts. 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:28.859 Greedy hearts. 00:21:29.159 --> 00:21:30.220 We've seen huge crowds. 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:32.279 We've seen imminent danger. 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:35.539 Now we see greedy hearts 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:36.299 in verse 10. 00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:38.740 For he had healed many 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:42.660 insomuch that they pressed upon him 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:44.440 for to touch him 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:47.460 as many as had plagues. 00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:49.619 Verse 10 tells us 00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:51.660 why the people came to Galilee. 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:53.899 They were hoping for healing 00:21:53.899 --> 00:21:54.779 from their diseases. 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.859 And certainly, 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:58.200 able people were there 00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:59.359 for other reasons, 00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:00.859 but the emphasis of the text here 00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:03.939 is on those who were diseased. 00:22:04.699 --> 00:22:06.159 Now, there's no problem 00:22:06.159 --> 00:22:07.159 in them seeking healing. 00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:08.839 That's not the problem here. 00:22:09.479 --> 00:22:11.159 We pray for healing all the time. 00:22:11.719 --> 00:22:12.859 God never condemns us 00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:13.799 for coming to him 00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:15.519 in order to have him meet 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.959 our physical needs. 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:19.979 Jesus actually looked compassionately 00:22:19.979 --> 00:22:20.979 at these people. 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:22.159 We've seen this over and over 00:22:22.159 --> 00:22:24.099 just in the first two and a half chapters 00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:25.479 of this book. 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.500 He looks compassionately. 00:22:27.619 --> 00:22:28.579 He never denied them 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:30.519 the healing that they sought. 00:22:30.859 --> 00:22:33.059 In fact, his love 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:35.119 is so great for us 00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:37.099 that he healed many people 00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:38.819 that would not follow him. 00:22:39.659 --> 00:22:41.019 He healed many people 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:42.139 that would deny him. 00:22:43.219 --> 00:22:44.819 Perhaps some people 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:46.779 that were a part of the crowd 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.339 that yelled, 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:49.319 crucify him. 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:52.539 Even in his arrest, 00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:54.659 Peter pulls out his knife 00:22:54.659 --> 00:22:57.179 and he cuts off Malchus' ear. 00:22:58.120 --> 00:22:59.160 This man has literally 00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:00.660 come to arrest Jesus 00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:02.620 to go and have him crucified. 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:04.120 And what does Jesus do? 00:23:05.400 --> 00:23:07.620 Knowing the rejection of his heart, 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:08.420 he picks up his ear 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:09.640 and he puts it back 00:23:09.640 --> 00:23:10.519 on the side of his head. 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:12.060 There is a compassion 00:23:12.060 --> 00:23:12.920 and a love 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:14.900 in Jesus 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:16.000 and in his actions 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:17.600 that we can't even comprehend. 00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:19.060 And we've quoted 00:23:19.060 --> 00:23:20.120 Dane Orland in this way, 00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:21.180 but it's worth doing it again. 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:23.539 Jesus did not simply operate 00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:24.899 in deeds of compassion, 00:23:24.899 --> 00:23:26.680 but actually felt 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:27.539 the inner turmoils 00:23:28.119 --> 00:23:29.799 and roiling emotions 00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:30.539 of pity 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:32.000 toward the unfortunate. 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:33.960 When Jesus healed people 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:34.700 in these crowds, 00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:35.619 it wasn't because 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:36.480 he felt an obligation 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.420 to do so. 00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:38.639 It's because he had 00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:40.879 genuine compassion for them. 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:42.220 He loved them. 00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:43.779 He wanted to make a difference 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:45.019 in their lives. 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.500 He hated 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:49.000 to see what life 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:50.159 in a fallen world 00:23:50.159 --> 00:23:50.899 had done. 00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:52.340 And he wanted 00:23:52.340 --> 00:23:53.700 to set that right. 00:23:54.280 --> 00:23:55.220 So the problem 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.259 is not that they came 00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:57.019 to him for healing. 00:23:57.140 --> 00:23:57.860 That's not the problem. 00:23:58.040 --> 00:23:59.120 The problem is that 00:23:59.120 --> 00:24:00.240 their greedy hearts 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:01.500 only cared 00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.640 about what they could 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:03.720 get from Jesus. 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.820 None of them stopped 00:24:06.820 --> 00:24:07.660 for just a moment 00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:08.600 just to consider 00:24:08.600 --> 00:24:10.019 what he was trying to do. 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:11.360 He didn't come to heal. 00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:12.640 He came to preach 00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:13.259 the gospel. 00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:14.840 But nobody wanted 00:24:14.840 --> 00:24:16.040 to listen to his message. 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:17.980 There's no indication 00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:19.220 anywhere in these verses 00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:20.320 that Jesus even had 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:21.039 an opportunity 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:22.579 to actually preach 00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:23.619 the truth to these people 00:24:23.619 --> 00:24:24.279 because the way 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:24.960 they were pressing 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:26.179 against him. 00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:27.579 They're clamoring 00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:28.359 over each other. 00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:29.579 They're putting other people 00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:30.480 in danger in order 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:31.480 that they could get 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:31.980 to Jesus 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:33.460 to have him meet there. 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.059 And he didn't care 00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:34.779 about anybody else. 00:24:34.859 --> 00:24:36.099 There's greed in this. 00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:37.879 Violent greed. 00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:42.059 Jesus noted 00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:43.799 a similar situation 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:44.579 after he fed 00:24:44.579 --> 00:24:45.500 the 5,000 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:47.399 in John chapter 6. 00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:47.720 Do you remember 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:48.240 that story? 00:24:49.099 --> 00:24:49.920 You can write down 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.259 the passage. 00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:50.740 You can flip there 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.099 if you want. 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:52.099 John chapter 6 00:24:52.099 --> 00:24:53.700 verses 25 to 30. 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:55.259 Jesus has just 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:56.420 fed the 5,000 00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:57.680 and he and his disciples 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:58.700 went across the lake 00:24:58.700 --> 00:25:00.140 and they made their way 00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:00.579 around 00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.799 and they followed him 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:02.059 around. 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:03.480 And here's what he said. 00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:05.319 When they found him 00:25:05.319 --> 00:25:06.140 on the other side 00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:06.640 of the sea 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:07.980 they said to him 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:09.279 Rabbi 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:10.539 when did you come here? 00:25:11.620 --> 00:25:12.839 And Jesus answered them 00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:14.659 truly, truly 00:25:14.659 --> 00:25:15.579 I say to you 00:25:15.579 --> 00:25:17.259 you are seeking me 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:18.879 not because you saw signs 00:25:18.879 --> 00:25:20.079 not because you are 00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:20.980 trying to figure out 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:21.679 who I am 00:25:21.679 --> 00:25:23.279 and understand my message 00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:24.559 but because you ate 00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:25.679 your fill of the loaves. 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:27.659 They were prosperity seekers. 00:25:28.939 --> 00:25:30.159 And then he tells them 00:25:30.159 --> 00:25:31.859 do not work 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:32.419 for the food 00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:33.159 that perishes 00:25:33.159 --> 00:25:34.740 but for the food 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.379 that endures 00:25:35.379 --> 00:25:36.459 to eternal life 00:25:36.459 --> 00:25:38.159 which the son of man 00:25:38.159 --> 00:25:38.879 will give to you. 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:40.079 He's referencing himself. 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:42.259 For on him 00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:43.099 God the Father 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:44.039 has set his seal. 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:45.500 And then they said this 00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:47.919 What must we do 00:25:47.919 --> 00:25:48.960 to be doing 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.839 the works of God? 00:25:49.899 --> 00:25:50.879 And Jesus answered them 00:25:50.879 --> 00:25:52.759 This is the work of God 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:54.500 that you believe in him 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.779 who he has sent. 00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:58.000 So they said 00:25:58.000 --> 00:26:00.439 Then what sign do you do 00:26:00.439 --> 00:26:01.839 that we may see 00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:02.679 and believe you? 00:26:02.919 --> 00:26:04.379 What work do you perform? 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:06.539 He just took 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:08.319 five pieces of bread 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:09.259 and a few fish 00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:11.180 and fed 5,000 people 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:12.119 and these same people 00:26:12.119 --> 00:26:13.059 are now looking at Jesus 00:26:13.059 --> 00:26:13.519 and saying 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.660 Okay, okay 00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:15.579 prove it. 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:17.900 What? 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:21.119 They didn't actually care 00:26:21.119 --> 00:26:22.180 about who Jesus was 00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:22.779 they just wanted 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.759 more from him. 00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:25.200 Give us more food. 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:26.400 They were prosperity seekers. 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.200 They came to church 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:28.299 because they wanted 00:26:28.299 --> 00:26:29.240 to see if Jesus 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:30.259 would give them something 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:31.400 that he would reward them 00:26:31.400 --> 00:26:32.279 for going to church. 00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:33.220 If he would reward them 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:33.960 for putting money 00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:34.460 in the offering. 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.640 If he would reward them 00:26:35.640 --> 00:26:37.799 for doing their religious duties. 00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:39.279 They were prosperity seekers. 00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:40.440 That's what they were looking for. 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:42.059 That's the crowd 00:26:42.059 --> 00:26:43.079 in Mark chapter 3. 00:26:43.659 --> 00:26:44.399 They're greedy. 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.279 They're just looking 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:46.859 to get something from him. 00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:47.799 And while Jesus 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:48.500 cared deeply 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.419 about their needs 00:26:49.419 --> 00:26:50.619 his chief objective 00:26:50.619 --> 00:26:51.879 was to preach the gospel. 00:26:53.399 --> 00:26:54.980 His compassionate heart 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:56.039 wanted what was best 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.680 for these people 00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.579 but he knew 00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:58.639 what was actually best 00:26:58.639 --> 00:26:59.039 for them 00:26:59.039 --> 00:27:00.059 was the message 00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:00.799 of forgiveness 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:02.419 that only he could provide. 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:04.619 And his miracles 00:27:04.619 --> 00:27:05.720 though genuinely performed 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:07.600 performed were meant 00:27:07.600 --> 00:27:08.519 to point people 00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.600 to his identity. 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.839 If they had just 00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:13.380 listened to his message 00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:15.000 they would have realized 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:16.700 that he was offering 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:17.660 eternal healing 00:27:17.660 --> 00:27:19.620 that far surpassed 00:27:19.620 --> 00:27:20.779 the temporary pleasures 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.620 that they were seeking 00:27:21.620 --> 00:27:22.259 from him then. 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:25.180 The irony is 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:26.620 that they clamored 00:27:26.620 --> 00:27:27.319 for the one 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:27.900 that could heal 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.579 their souls 00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:30.539 but all they wanted 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:31.140 was for him 00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:32.100 to heal their bodies. 00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:39.480 Do you realize 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:41.379 you are 00:27:41.379 --> 00:27:42.719 a soul? 00:27:43.679 --> 00:27:44.980 You have 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:46.179 a body. 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.779 Your soul 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.579 will live forever. 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:50.839 Your body 00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:51.379 will not. 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:54.199 You could go 00:27:54.199 --> 00:27:55.179 through your whole life 00:27:55.179 --> 00:27:57.419 live perfectly healthy 00:27:57.419 --> 00:27:59.439 never get any 00:27:59.439 --> 00:28:00.299 major diseases 00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:02.980 stay in shape 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:04.599 eat right 00:28:04.599 --> 00:28:06.099 and your body 00:28:06.099 --> 00:28:07.000 is still going to die. 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:08.960 You are going to die. 00:28:10.419 --> 00:28:11.240 These people 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:11.899 were clamoring 00:28:11.899 --> 00:28:12.379 to Jesus 00:28:12.379 --> 00:28:13.460 and he was offering 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:14.779 life eternal 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.919 for them 00:28:15.919 --> 00:28:17.819 and all they wanted 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:19.039 was for him 00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:19.599 to take care 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:19.919 of something 00:28:19.919 --> 00:28:20.319 that was going 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:21.159 to die anyways. 00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:23.279 And how many people 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:24.180 they flood to churches 00:28:24.180 --> 00:28:25.259 or they flood to religion 00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:26.139 or they flood to whatever 00:28:26.139 --> 00:28:26.980 it is that they're looking for 00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:27.579 and they flood to it 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:28.759 they're looking for 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:30.379 life now to be better 00:28:30.379 --> 00:28:30.980 but this life 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:32.059 it's not going to last. 00:28:33.079 --> 00:28:34.279 And Jesus is sitting here 00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:34.759 he said I'll give you 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.819 something that's far greater. 00:28:36.779 --> 00:28:37.180 Give you something 00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:38.379 far greater than life 00:28:38.379 --> 00:28:38.879 right now. 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.400 Far greater than health 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:40.940 right now. 00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.379 Far greater than peace 00:28:42.379 --> 00:28:42.900 right now. 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:44.200 Far greater than riches 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:44.660 right now. 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.319 I will give you 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:46.220 eternal life 00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:47.019 in heaven 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.960 with me. 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:51.200 But all they wanted 00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:52.220 was healing 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:52.839 for their body. 00:28:54.680 --> 00:28:55.539 Number four 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:58.619 evil opposition. 00:28:58.759 --> 00:29:00.160 We've seen huge crowds 00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:01.460 imminent danger 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:02.700 greedy hearts 00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:03.960 and then finally 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:05.460 evil opposition. 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.519 Look with me 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.259 at verse 11. 00:29:09.099 --> 00:29:09.960 And unclean spirits 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.940 when they saw him 00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:13.119 fell down before him 00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:14.599 and cried saying 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:16.759 thou art the son of God 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:19.460 and he straightly charged them 00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:20.059 that they should not 00:29:20.059 --> 00:29:20.660 make him known. 00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:22.039 That seems weird 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:22.680 right? 00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:25.339 Now once again 00:29:25.339 --> 00:29:27.460 Mark is bringing together 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:28.400 demon possession 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:30.380 and diseases 00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:31.660 all at one time. 00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:32.660 Now he's not doing that 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:34.240 to suggest that disease 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:35.200 is a result of 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:36.160 demonic oppression 00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:36.799 or possession. 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:37.640 That's not the point. 00:29:38.340 --> 00:29:39.299 What he's doing 00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:40.400 is he's bringing together 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:42.100 the fact of 00:29:42.100 --> 00:29:44.660 life in a fallen world 00:29:44.660 --> 00:29:45.819 having both physical 00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:47.460 and spiritual realities 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:47.880 to it. 00:29:48.620 --> 00:29:49.720 And that Jesus 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.900 has authority 00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:52.079 over both the physical 00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:53.120 and the spiritual. 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.620 That's the point 00:29:54.620 --> 00:29:55.200 in bringing these two 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:55.819 things together. 00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:57.660 The interactions 00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:58.519 between Jesus 00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:59.200 and the demons 00:29:59.200 --> 00:30:00.059 are recorded often 00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:00.799 in the gospels. 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:02.640 And the demons 00:30:02.640 --> 00:30:03.519 every time 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:05.180 except for perhaps 00:30:05.180 --> 00:30:05.500 Satan 00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:06.299 and the temptations 00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:06.819 in the wilderness 00:30:06.819 --> 00:30:07.340 we don't see 00:30:07.340 --> 00:30:08.220 the same thing happening 00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:09.880 but every single time 00:30:09.880 --> 00:30:11.340 demons are confronted 00:30:11.340 --> 00:30:12.039 by Jesus 00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:13.819 they react fearfully 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:14.700 to his presence. 00:30:15.840 --> 00:30:17.299 They react fearfully 00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:18.600 because they know 00:30:18.600 --> 00:30:19.740 exactly who he is. 00:30:21.080 --> 00:30:22.080 James chapter 2 00:30:22.080 --> 00:30:22.880 tells us this. 00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:23.620 James chapter 2 00:30:23.619 --> 00:30:24.500 in verse 19 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:25.759 you believe that God 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:26.219 is one 00:30:26.219 --> 00:30:27.139 you do well 00:30:27.139 --> 00:30:27.699 but then James 00:30:27.699 --> 00:30:28.439 basically says 00:30:28.439 --> 00:30:29.419 so what? 00:30:29.739 --> 00:30:30.379 Even the demons 00:30:30.379 --> 00:30:31.119 believe that 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:32.279 and they shudder 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.419 they tremble 00:30:33.419 --> 00:30:35.379 they shake before him 00:30:35.379 --> 00:30:36.779 that's their disposition. 00:30:37.899 --> 00:30:38.859 It's one thing 00:30:38.859 --> 00:30:39.459 to acknowledge 00:30:39.459 --> 00:30:39.979 that God 00:30:39.979 --> 00:30:41.219 that Jesus is God 00:30:41.219 --> 00:30:42.039 it's another thing 00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:43.579 to follow him 00:30:43.579 --> 00:30:44.079 as Lord 00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:44.759 the demons 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:45.399 were not willing 00:30:45.399 --> 00:30:45.979 to do that 00:30:45.979 --> 00:30:48.059 and so they feared 00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:48.579 before him 00:30:48.579 --> 00:30:49.079 because they knew 00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:49.679 his authority 00:30:49.679 --> 00:30:50.419 and they knew 00:30:50.419 --> 00:30:51.019 his power. 00:30:52.059 --> 00:30:52.239 Now 00:30:52.239 --> 00:30:53.559 fallen angels 00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:54.099 like this 00:30:54.099 --> 00:30:55.059 they do not 00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:55.879 usually desire 00:30:55.879 --> 00:30:56.460 to be known 00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:57.159 as such. 00:30:58.480 --> 00:30:59.559 There are instances 00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:00.240 in the scripture 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:01.559 clearly most of the time 00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:02.679 around Jesus 00:31:02.679 --> 00:31:04.039 where they afflict 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:04.980 people physically 00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:06.679 but their work 00:31:06.679 --> 00:31:07.779 is often in the realm 00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.779 of false religion 00:31:08.779 --> 00:31:09.879 and government. 00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:10.659 We see that all 00:31:10.659 --> 00:31:11.240 through the scripture. 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:13.240 It's subtle 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:15.059 and no matter 00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:16.220 how much they preferred 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:17.460 to remain concealed 00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:19.440 they could not help 00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:21.179 but outwardly respond 00:31:21.180 --> 00:31:22.240 when confronted 00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:23.039 by Jesus. 00:31:24.100 --> 00:31:25.039 We often hear 00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:25.420 about this 00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:26.180 crying out 00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:26.759 that they would do 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:27.380 they would cry out 00:31:27.380 --> 00:31:28.460 thou art the son 00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:28.880 of God 00:31:28.880 --> 00:31:30.200 identifying who he is 00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:31.460 but he always 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:32.420 every time 00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:33.980 commands their silence. 00:31:34.980 --> 00:31:35.640 It's not because 00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:36.560 Jesus didn't want 00:31:36.560 --> 00:31:37.120 people to know 00:31:37.120 --> 00:31:37.820 who he was 00:31:37.820 --> 00:31:39.060 that was the whole 00:31:39.060 --> 00:31:40.000 point of all the stuff. 00:31:40.880 --> 00:31:41.900 He's healing people 00:31:41.900 --> 00:31:42.580 so that they would 00:31:42.580 --> 00:31:43.539 see who he was. 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:44.380 He's teaching 00:31:44.380 --> 00:31:45.060 so that they will 00:31:45.060 --> 00:31:45.740 hear who he is. 00:31:45.920 --> 00:31:46.980 He plainly said 00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:47.840 on multiple occasions 00:31:47.839 --> 00:31:48.959 I and the father 00:31:48.959 --> 00:31:49.939 are one. 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.119 He wasn't trying 00:31:51.119 --> 00:31:51.980 to hide his identity. 00:31:52.699 --> 00:31:53.740 What he was doing 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.720 is he was proving 00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:55.459 his identity 00:31:55.459 --> 00:31:57.720 proving his power 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:59.299 by showing his authority 00:31:59.299 --> 00:32:01.079 even over the spirit world. 00:32:01.859 --> 00:32:02.459 The demons 00:32:02.459 --> 00:32:04.779 his silencing 00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:05.699 his aminas 00:32:05.699 --> 00:32:06.299 of revealing 00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:07.079 who he is 00:32:07.079 --> 00:32:08.279 and he demonstrates 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:09.480 his power over them 00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:11.339 but it's also true 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:12.799 that Jesus 00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:13.759 is not interested 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:15.299 in his ministry 00:32:15.299 --> 00:32:16.179 being connected 00:32:16.180 --> 00:32:17.980 with that which is evil. 00:32:19.560 --> 00:32:20.960 And that just makes sense. 00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:24.299 We see this often. 00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:25.640 You can go to Acts 16 00:32:25.640 --> 00:32:26.840 and see another description 00:32:26.840 --> 00:32:27.720 of this with Paul. 00:32:27.840 --> 00:32:28.620 We won't do that now 00:32:28.620 --> 00:32:30.700 but in the same sense 00:32:30.700 --> 00:32:32.240 we are in no way 00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:32.840 interested 00:32:32.840 --> 00:32:34.519 in Christianity 00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:35.700 associating 00:32:35.700 --> 00:32:36.880 with false religions 00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:38.480 like Mormonism 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:40.600 and Jehovah's Witnesses 00:32:40.600 --> 00:32:42.340 and Christian science 00:32:42.340 --> 00:32:44.580 Roman Catholicism 00:32:44.579 --> 00:32:46.659 to unite with such groups 00:32:46.659 --> 00:32:47.859 is to deny 00:32:47.859 --> 00:32:49.139 the gospel of Jesus 00:32:49.139 --> 00:32:51.399 and to perpetuate error. 00:32:54.399 --> 00:32:55.339 Paul when he was 00:32:55.339 --> 00:32:56.399 confronting the Corinthians 00:32:56.399 --> 00:32:57.659 about their involvement 00:32:57.659 --> 00:32:58.980 in some of the pagan temples 00:32:58.980 --> 00:33:00.159 and when they ate there 00:33:00.159 --> 00:33:00.799 and the idols 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.539 that were involved 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:02.039 he said 00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:04.799 he encouraged 00:33:04.799 --> 00:33:05.439 and exhorted 00:33:05.439 --> 00:33:06.399 against that 00:33:06.399 --> 00:33:06.740 because 00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:08.000 what is behind 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:08.559 those idols 00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:09.259 what is behind 00:33:09.259 --> 00:33:09.879 those religions 00:33:09.879 --> 00:33:10.399 he said 00:33:10.399 --> 00:33:11.379 are demons 00:33:11.379 --> 00:33:12.500 demonic forces. 00:33:12.500 --> 00:33:15.220 we see in the Old Testament 00:33:15.220 --> 00:33:16.299 we see the fights 00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:16.819 between 00:33:16.819 --> 00:33:18.140 the right 00:33:18.140 --> 00:33:18.740 and the wrong 00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:20.039 the representatives 00:33:20.039 --> 00:33:20.640 of God 00:33:20.640 --> 00:33:21.339 and the representatives 00:33:21.339 --> 00:33:22.380 of Satan 00:33:22.380 --> 00:33:23.259 in the form of 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:24.099 government. 00:33:25.960 --> 00:33:27.019 That's how they work 00:33:27.019 --> 00:33:27.420 mostly. 00:33:28.619 --> 00:33:29.079 Well we're not 00:33:29.079 --> 00:33:30.099 interested in Christianity 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:31.059 associating with 00:33:31.059 --> 00:33:32.019 the natural world 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:33.680 we're set apart. 00:33:36.119 --> 00:33:36.680 Well 00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:37.480 let's close here. 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:40.339 would you consider 00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:41.160 as we close 00:33:41.160 --> 00:33:44.400 the intense pressure 00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:45.099 under which 00:33:45.099 --> 00:33:45.860 Jesus lived 00:33:45.860 --> 00:33:47.900 we consider 00:33:47.900 --> 00:33:48.660 this whole passage 00:33:48.660 --> 00:33:48.960 here 00:33:48.960 --> 00:33:51.319 thousands of people 00:33:51.319 --> 00:33:53.740 pressing against 00:33:53.740 --> 00:33:54.160 him 00:33:54.160 --> 00:33:55.900 demanding 00:33:55.900 --> 00:33:56.779 of him 00:33:56.779 --> 00:33:57.640 ignoring 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:59.360 what he has 00:33:59.360 --> 00:33:59.839 to say 00:33:59.839 --> 00:34:01.380 misrepresenting 00:34:01.380 --> 00:34:02.380 who he is 00:34:02.380 --> 00:34:03.920 unclean spirits 00:34:03.920 --> 00:34:05.320 and all of this 00:34:05.320 --> 00:34:06.039 on the heels 00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:07.180 of a group 00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:07.680 of 00:34:07.680 --> 00:34:08.840 religious 00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:09.720 and political 00:34:09.720 --> 00:34:10.180 men 00:34:10.180 --> 00:34:11.300 seeking to 00:34:11.300 --> 00:34:12.139 put him to death. 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:13.960 There's quite a bit 00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:14.440 of pressure 00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:15.820 in a life like that. 00:34:18.320 --> 00:34:19.579 Sometimes our focus 00:34:19.579 --> 00:34:20.480 is so much 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:21.200 on the deity 00:34:21.200 --> 00:34:21.780 of Christ 00:34:21.780 --> 00:34:22.539 and rightly so 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:24.559 that we 00:34:24.559 --> 00:34:25.300 forget 00:34:25.300 --> 00:34:26.800 his humanity. 00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:30.099 Jesus 00:34:30.099 --> 00:34:31.079 overcame 00:34:31.079 --> 00:34:32.139 every human 00:34:32.139 --> 00:34:32.619 struggle 00:34:32.619 --> 00:34:35.039 that was 00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:35.460 because of 00:34:35.460 --> 00:34:35.900 his deity 00:34:35.900 --> 00:34:37.819 but he also 00:34:37.819 --> 00:34:38.519 felt the 00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:39.139 pressure of 00:34:39.139 --> 00:34:39.679 human life 00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:40.079 to the 00:34:40.079 --> 00:34:40.380 fullest 00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:40.880 extent. 00:34:43.159 --> 00:34:44.019 There was 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.440 mounting 00:34:44.440 --> 00:34:45.139 hostility 00:34:45.139 --> 00:34:45.799 from religious 00:34:45.799 --> 00:34:46.460 and political 00:34:46.460 --> 00:34:47.259 groups that 00:34:47.259 --> 00:34:48.880 culminated in 00:34:48.880 --> 00:34:49.759 plots for 00:34:49.759 --> 00:34:50.279 his murder. 00:34:51.440 --> 00:34:52.139 He knew 00:34:52.139 --> 00:34:52.599 well 00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:53.960 the scrutiny 00:34:53.960 --> 00:34:55.219 of critical 00:34:55.219 --> 00:34:55.819 eyes 00:34:55.819 --> 00:34:57.539 and faced 00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:58.579 people constantly 00:34:58.579 --> 00:34:59.039 that did 00:34:59.039 --> 00:34:59.759 nothing but 00:34:59.759 --> 00:35:00.519 express what 00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:00.980 they thought 00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:01.519 was wrong 00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:01.920 with him 00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:05.579 he felt 00:35:05.579 --> 00:35:06.099 the unending 00:35:06.099 --> 00:35:07.000 demands of 00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:07.720 people that 00:35:07.720 --> 00:35:08.720 clamored for 00:35:08.720 --> 00:35:09.260 his attention. 00:35:10.480 --> 00:35:11.200 He knew 00:35:11.200 --> 00:35:11.980 the heartache 00:35:11.980 --> 00:35:13.260 of friends 00:35:13.260 --> 00:35:14.099 and family 00:35:14.099 --> 00:35:15.180 forsaking 00:35:15.180 --> 00:35:15.480 him. 00:35:16.880 --> 00:35:17.700 He felt 00:35:17.700 --> 00:35:18.280 the pain 00:35:18.280 --> 00:35:18.860 of demonic 00:35:18.860 --> 00:35:19.760 opposition 00:35:19.760 --> 00:35:20.760 and its 00:35:20.760 --> 00:35:21.300 hold on the 00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:21.700 people that 00:35:21.700 --> 00:35:22.159 he loved. 00:35:23.700 --> 00:35:24.099 Kent Hughes 00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:24.519 said the 00:35:24.519 --> 00:35:25.220 pressure upon 00:35:25.220 --> 00:35:25.740 Christ was 00:35:25.740 --> 00:35:26.240 immense. 00:35:27.340 --> 00:35:27.800 Our Lord's 00:35:27.800 --> 00:35:28.559 every move 00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:29.320 night and 00:35:29.320 --> 00:35:29.599 day 00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:31.719 was observed 00:35:31.719 --> 00:35:32.559 by hostile 00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:33.659 interlopers. 00:35:35.179 --> 00:35:35.719 The worst 00:35:35.719 --> 00:35:36.420 interpretation 00:35:36.420 --> 00:35:37.299 was placed 00:35:37.299 --> 00:35:38.039 on everything 00:35:38.039 --> 00:35:38.619 that they 00:35:38.619 --> 00:35:39.299 saw and 00:35:39.299 --> 00:35:39.619 heard. 00:35:40.779 --> 00:35:41.440 Our Lord 00:35:41.440 --> 00:35:42.079 being truly 00:35:42.079 --> 00:35:42.619 a man 00:35:42.619 --> 00:35:43.679 felt the 00:35:43.679 --> 00:35:44.380 pain of 00:35:44.380 --> 00:35:44.900 hatred 00:35:44.900 --> 00:35:45.940 intensely 00:35:45.940 --> 00:35:47.139 with its 00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:47.719 emotional 00:35:47.719 --> 00:35:48.360 discomfort 00:35:48.360 --> 00:35:49.639 and pervasive 00:35:49.639 --> 00:35:50.400 alienation. 00:35:51.139 --> 00:35:51.799 Have you ever 00:35:51.799 --> 00:35:52.380 felt that way? 00:35:52.380 --> 00:35:55.579 have you ever 00:35:55.579 --> 00:35:55.900 been in a 00:35:55.900 --> 00:35:56.280 place in 00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:56.700 your life 00:35:56.700 --> 00:35:57.579 where it 00:35:57.579 --> 00:35:57.960 just seems 00:35:57.960 --> 00:35:58.539 like everybody 00:35:58.539 --> 00:35:59.220 around you 00:35:59.220 --> 00:35:59.740 is trying to 00:35:59.740 --> 00:36:00.220 find everything 00:36:00.220 --> 00:36:00.660 that's wrong 00:36:00.660 --> 00:36:01.079 with you 00:36:01.079 --> 00:36:02.180 and they 00:36:02.180 --> 00:36:02.460 don't mind 00:36:02.460 --> 00:36:02.800 letting you 00:36:02.800 --> 00:36:03.019 know? 00:36:06.599 --> 00:36:07.300 The point 00:36:07.300 --> 00:36:07.980 is that Jesus 00:36:07.980 --> 00:36:08.500 knew by 00:36:08.500 --> 00:36:09.119 experience 00:36:09.119 --> 00:36:09.920 everything that 00:36:09.920 --> 00:36:10.260 we go 00:36:10.260 --> 00:36:10.539 through. 00:36:10.900 --> 00:36:11.500 Not in 00:36:11.500 --> 00:36:12.480 theory but 00:36:12.480 --> 00:36:13.039 because he 00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:13.400 went through 00:36:13.400 --> 00:36:13.780 it too. 00:36:16.180 --> 00:36:16.700 Have you 00:36:16.700 --> 00:36:17.500 been forsaken? 00:36:19.640 --> 00:36:20.519 He knows. 00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:24.119 have people 00:36:24.119 --> 00:36:24.679 lied about 00:36:24.679 --> 00:36:24.940 you? 00:36:26.099 --> 00:36:26.920 He knows 00:36:26.920 --> 00:36:27.360 what that's 00:36:27.360 --> 00:36:27.659 like. 00:36:29.940 --> 00:36:30.659 Have you 00:36:30.659 --> 00:36:31.239 been misunderstood? 00:36:32.860 --> 00:36:33.679 He knows 00:36:33.679 --> 00:36:34.179 that too. 00:36:34.800 --> 00:36:35.259 Have you 00:36:35.259 --> 00:36:35.719 been hurt? 00:36:37.159 --> 00:36:38.159 He knows. 00:36:38.800 --> 00:36:39.500 Have you 00:36:39.500 --> 00:36:40.000 been broke? 00:36:41.239 --> 00:36:42.239 He knows. 00:36:44.619 --> 00:36:45.340 Have you 00:36:45.340 --> 00:36:45.820 been tempted? 00:36:47.239 --> 00:36:48.239 He knows. 00:36:50.519 --> 00:36:53.480 Hebrews 4 00:36:53.480 --> 00:36:54.199 tells us 00:36:54.199 --> 00:36:55.840 that we 00:36:55.840 --> 00:36:56.219 don't have 00:36:56.219 --> 00:36:56.599 a high 00:36:56.599 --> 00:36:57.119 priest who 00:36:57.119 --> 00:36:57.679 is unable 00:36:57.679 --> 00:36:58.739 to sympathize 00:36:58.739 --> 00:36:59.099 with our 00:36:59.099 --> 00:36:59.519 weaknesses 00:36:59.519 --> 00:37:02.079 but one 00:37:02.079 --> 00:37:02.420 who in 00:37:02.420 --> 00:37:03.420 every respect 00:37:03.420 --> 00:37:05.199 remember that 00:37:05.199 --> 00:37:05.539 phrase 00:37:05.539 --> 00:37:06.239 in every 00:37:06.239 --> 00:37:06.679 respect 00:37:06.679 --> 00:37:08.800 has been 00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:09.420 tempted as 00:37:09.420 --> 00:37:10.039 we are 00:37:10.039 --> 00:37:11.059 yet 00:37:11.059 --> 00:37:12.000 without 00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:13.179 sin. 00:37:14.860 --> 00:37:15.599 And then 00:37:15.599 --> 00:37:16.099 he says 00:37:16.099 --> 00:37:17.739 let us 00:37:17.739 --> 00:37:18.659 then come 00:37:18.659 --> 00:37:19.539 boldly with 00:37:19.539 --> 00:37:20.259 confidence 00:37:20.259 --> 00:37:21.480 drawing near 00:37:21.480 --> 00:37:21.840 to the 00:37:21.840 --> 00:37:22.219 throne of 00:37:22.219 --> 00:37:22.639 grace 00:37:22.639 --> 00:37:23.300 that we 00:37:23.300 --> 00:37:23.980 may receive 00:37:23.980 --> 00:37:24.579 mercy 00:37:24.579 --> 00:37:25.519 and find 00:37:25.519 --> 00:37:26.360 grace to 00:37:26.360 --> 00:37:26.880 help in 00:37:26.880 --> 00:37:27.300 time of 00:37:27.300 --> 00:37:27.659 need. 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:30.259 Do you 00:37:30.259 --> 00:37:30.559 see the 00:37:30.559 --> 00:37:31.340 gospel taking 00:37:31.340 --> 00:37:31.860 shape in 00:37:31.860 --> 00:37:32.059 that? 00:37:34.659 --> 00:37:35.340 Jesus 00:37:35.340 --> 00:37:36.059 willingly 00:37:36.059 --> 00:37:38.519 and purposefully 00:37:38.519 --> 00:37:39.880 subjected 00:37:39.880 --> 00:37:40.579 himself to 00:37:40.579 --> 00:37:41.159 all of 00:37:41.159 --> 00:37:41.559 this. 00:37:42.239 --> 00:37:42.599 Why? 00:37:42.599 --> 00:37:44.659 so that 00:37:44.659 --> 00:37:45.139 we can 00:37:45.139 --> 00:37:45.599 come with 00:37:45.599 --> 00:37:46.139 confidence 00:37:46.139 --> 00:37:46.719 to his 00:37:46.719 --> 00:37:47.279 throne 00:37:47.279 --> 00:37:48.400 to find 00:37:48.400 --> 00:37:49.019 mercy 00:37:49.019 --> 00:37:50.460 and grace. 00:37:55.099 --> 00:37:55.619 That's 00:37:55.619 --> 00:37:56.000 the heart 00:37:56.000 --> 00:37:56.639 of Christ. 00:37:56.639 --> 00:38:00.119 when we 00:38:00.119 --> 00:38:00.579 come to 00:38:00.579 --> 00:38:01.099 him in 00:38:01.099 --> 00:38:01.299 our 00:38:01.299 --> 00:38:01.759 troubles 00:38:01.759 --> 00:38:02.099 when we 00:38:02.099 --> 00:38:02.319 come to 00:38:02.319 --> 00:38:02.539 him with 00:38:02.539 --> 00:38:02.679 our 00:38:02.679 --> 00:38:03.079 sin 00:38:03.079 --> 00:38:03.420 when we 00:38:03.420 --> 00:38:03.739 come to 00:38:03.739 --> 00:38:03.980 him with 00:38:03.980 --> 00:38:04.460 all the 00:38:04.460 --> 00:38:04.859 things that 00:38:04.859 --> 00:38:05.000 we're 00:38:05.000 --> 00:38:05.379 struggling 00:38:05.379 --> 00:38:05.799 with in 00:38:05.799 --> 00:38:06.119 life 00:38:06.119 --> 00:38:06.799 he doesn't 00:38:06.799 --> 00:38:07.299 look on 00:38:07.299 --> 00:38:07.719 us with 00:38:07.719 --> 00:38:08.659 just an 00:38:08.659 --> 00:38:10.539 unassociated 00:38:10.539 --> 00:38:10.900 pity. 00:38:11.519 --> 00:38:12.019 No he 00:38:12.019 --> 00:38:12.299 looks 00:38:12.299 --> 00:38:13.219 compassionately 00:38:13.219 --> 00:38:14.259 he feels 00:38:14.259 --> 00:38:14.839 that because 00:38:14.839 --> 00:38:15.279 he has 00:38:15.279 --> 00:38:15.980 been there 00:38:15.980 --> 00:38:17.039 he knows 00:38:17.039 --> 00:38:17.960 exactly how 00:38:17.960 --> 00:38:18.559 you feel 00:38:18.559 --> 00:38:19.319 and because 00:38:19.319 --> 00:38:20.039 he did it 00:38:20.039 --> 00:38:21.000 all without 00:38:21.000 --> 00:38:22.139 sinning we 00:38:22.139 --> 00:38:22.619 can come 00:38:22.619 --> 00:38:23.219 boldly to 00:38:23.219 --> 00:38:23.920 him knowing 00:38:23.920 --> 00:38:24.360 that when 00:38:24.360 --> 00:38:24.760 we go 00:38:24.760 --> 00:38:25.440 there we 00:38:25.440 --> 00:38:26.280 get mercy 00:38:26.280 --> 00:38:26.900 and we 00:38:26.900 --> 00:38:27.680 get grace 00:38:27.680 --> 00:38:28.119 from him. 00:38:28.280 --> 00:38:28.820 Why would 00:38:28.820 --> 00:38:29.159 you go to 00:38:29.159 --> 00:38:29.980 anything else? 00:38:31.639 --> 00:38:32.460 Nothing else 00:38:32.460 --> 00:38:33.039 can provide 00:38:33.039 --> 00:38:33.400 that. 00:38:33.700 --> 00:38:34.000 No 00:38:34.000 --> 00:38:34.820 relationship 00:38:34.820 --> 00:38:35.539 can provide 00:38:35.539 --> 00:38:35.880 that. 00:38:36.079 --> 00:38:36.920 No family 00:38:36.920 --> 00:38:37.519 can provide 00:38:37.519 --> 00:38:37.780 that. 00:38:37.880 --> 00:38:38.579 No job 00:38:38.579 --> 00:38:39.420 no success 00:38:39.420 --> 00:38:40.079 there is 00:38:40.079 --> 00:38:40.700 nothing in 00:38:40.700 --> 00:38:41.280 this life 00:38:41.280 --> 00:38:41.880 that can 00:38:41.880 --> 00:38:42.800 provide for 00:38:42.800 --> 00:38:43.440 you the 00:38:43.440 --> 00:38:44.119 compassion 00:38:44.119 --> 00:38:44.840 and the 00:38:44.840 --> 00:38:45.720 love and 00:38:45.720 --> 00:38:46.440 the mercy 00:38:46.440 --> 00:38:47.579 that Jesus 00:38:47.579 --> 00:38:48.579 extends to 00:38:48.579 --> 00:38:49.320 everyone who 00:38:49.320 --> 00:38:49.780 comes to 00:38:49.780 --> 00:38:50.039 him. 00:38:51.300 --> 00:38:51.960 And he 00:38:51.960 --> 00:38:52.619 ultimately 00:38:52.619 --> 00:38:53.420 felt our 00:38:53.420 --> 00:38:53.900 needs to 00:38:53.900 --> 00:38:54.440 the fullest 00:38:54.440 --> 00:38:55.840 extent in 00:38:55.840 --> 00:38:56.680 his death. 00:38:58.920 --> 00:39:00.019 What is 00:39:00.019 --> 00:39:00.680 our greatest 00:39:00.680 --> 00:39:01.240 struggle? 00:39:02.400 --> 00:39:03.340 Impending 00:39:03.340 --> 00:39:04.099 death. 00:39:04.619 --> 00:39:05.099 It's 00:39:05.099 --> 00:39:05.599 coming. 00:39:06.579 --> 00:39:06.900 Jesus 00:39:06.900 --> 00:39:07.480 knew 00:39:07.480 --> 00:39:08.400 death. 00:39:09.539 --> 00:39:11.039 But because 00:39:11.039 --> 00:39:11.360 of his 00:39:11.360 --> 00:39:12.039 resurrection 00:39:12.039 --> 00:39:14.200 he offers 00:39:14.200 --> 00:39:15.740 us life. 00:39:16.760 --> 00:39:17.800 He conquered 00:39:17.800 --> 00:39:18.340 sin and 00:39:18.340 --> 00:39:19.480 death in 00:39:19.480 --> 00:39:20.079 order to 00:39:20.079 --> 00:39:20.800 provide for 00:39:20.800 --> 00:39:21.300 us what we 00:39:21.300 --> 00:39:22.039 cannot provide 00:39:22.039 --> 00:39:22.800 for ourselves. 00:39:22.800 --> 00:39:22.940 love. 00:39:23.660 --> 00:39:24.519 That is the 00:39:24.519 --> 00:39:24.840 love of 00:39:24.840 --> 00:39:25.080 Christ. 00:39:25.180 --> 00:39:25.480 Why did 00:39:25.480 --> 00:39:25.940 he subject 00:39:25.940 --> 00:39:26.519 himself to 00:39:26.519 --> 00:39:26.840 all of 00:39:26.840 --> 00:39:27.120 this? 00:39:28.620 --> 00:39:29.100 Love. 00:39:30.180 --> 00:39:30.620 Love. 00:39:32.019 --> 00:39:32.900 The question 00:39:32.900 --> 00:39:33.620 for us then 00:39:33.620 --> 00:39:35.320 is will we 00:39:35.320 --> 00:39:36.060 receive it? 00:39:36.059 --> 00:39:37.029 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