February 17, 1999

LIFE & WORK:
Rewards of obedience
compensate for difficulties
___ Mark 2:1-12, 18-20; 8:14-26
___By Thomas Lea
___Southwestern Seminary
___My wife and I were attending a Sunday School party. Our host had provided a map to the home. Even with the map, finding the way was difficult. We twisted and turned along unfamiliar streets until we found the home on the back side of a parking lot. Finding the destination was so difficult that we needed complete dependence on the map.
___Following Jesus is so demanding that we must fully trust him. What can we expect from following Jesus?
___ Conflict (Mark 2:3-7). In Capernaum people surrounded a house in which Jesus was staying. Four men carrying a paralyzed man tried to approach Jesus. The crowd would not allow entrance to them. The house had a flat roof of branches and sod. The men went outside, dug through the roof and lowered the man to the floor (v. 4).
___Seeing the faith of the carriers, Jesus pronounced forgiveness for the sick man (v. 5). Some in the crowd criticized Jesus' claim (v. 7).
___How should we respond to opposition such as Jesus faced? We must remain firm in our convictions and practice of Christianity. We must find creative ways to love our opponents rather than learn new ways to fight them.
___ Criticism (Mark 2:18). The question in verse 18 criticized Jesus' disciples. They were not fasting according to the tradition of John's disciples.
___Just as Jesus and his disciples faced criticism in his lifetime, followers today face the same. When we encounter opposition, we must practice godly obedience and unflinching goodness. These will overcome unjust criticism (1 Peter 2:11-12).
___ Joy and sorrow (Mark 2:19-20). In verse 19 Jesus explained that his followers would show joy while he was present. The time would come (v. 20) when Jesus would be removed. When this occurred, sorrow would be appropriate.
___The strength of Christ can provide stamina to face the sorrows of life. We must not expect a life free of pain and struggle.
___ Jesus' presence and strength (Mark 8:14-21). In verse 14 Jesus and his disciples came to the eastern shore of Galilee. The disciples brought a single loaf of bread. Jesus warned them to "watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod."
___The "yeast" of the Pharisees was hypocrisy (Luke 12:1). The "yeast" of Herod was worldliness (see the story in Mark 6:14-29).
___Jesus followed with a series of questions to produce reflection on the feeding miracles (vv. 19-20). The disciples remembered the miracles, but they had not understood them. The miracles pointed out that Jesus was the "bread of life" (John 6:35). He would provide power for daily living.
___Followers of Jesus experience persecution and opposition (Mark 13:9). They will pass through sorrow into joy (John 16:24). The rewards of obedience more than compensate for the difficulties of discipleship.

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