February 3, 1999

Jesus has the authority to call modern disciples
___ Mark 1:1-13
___By Thomas Lea
___Southwestern Seminary
___After Jesus had cleansed the temple in Mark 11:12-19, Jewish leaders responded to his action with the question: "Who gave you authority to do this" (Mark 11:28)? Jesus' answer appeared in Mark 11:29-33.
___Today, many protest that no one can tell them how to live. Some people reject the authority of Jesus even as they reject other authorities. This week's lesson emphasizes that Jesus has the right to call us to follow him and to establish our conditions of service.
___ Authority as the Christ, God's Son (Mark 1:1). The Gospel of Mark emphasizes that Jesus is God's Son. In the gospel, both Jesus' enemies (Mark 5:6-7) and his friends (Mark 8:29) provide evidences of his deity.
___The name "Jesus" designated him as our Savior. The designation "Christ" presented him as the Jewish Messiah. The term "Son of God" pointed to his divine origin. Because Jesus is God's Son, he has authority to call us to follow him and to expect our obedience.
___ Authority by virtue of power to transform (Mark 1:2-8). John called his listeners to repentance (v. 5). Those who came to him confessed their sins and submitted to baptism. The act of baptism did not grant forgiveness of sins. The people responded to baptism as a sign that they had received forgiveness (v. 4).
___John emphasized his unworthiness and the supremacy of Jesus (v. 7). He affirmed that he was unworthy even to perform for Jesus the lowly task of removing his shoes.
___He also emphasized the power Jesus made available through the Holy Spirit (v. 8). The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred at Pentecost (Acts 1:5, 8; 2:4). This experience of fresh spiritual power produced disciples who became transformed by Jesus' divine power. Jesus' ability to transform others gives him the authority to call people to follow him.
___ Authority conferred by God's endorsement (Mark 1:9-11). In the act of baptism, the Father called from heaven to identify Jesus as his Son (v. 11). He identified Jesus as the one who headed up God's new people in the church.
___God's endorsement of Jesus reminds us that we must respond with obedience to Jesus' call for our obedience. In the same way the Father acknowledged Jesus as his Son, we should respond with commitment and delight in serving him.
___ Authority reinforced by victory over temptation (Mark 1:12-13). The accounts of the temptations of Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13 present Jesus' victory over Satan's temptations. Because he is a tested and experienced Savior, he can give us help as we face temptation and encouragement to sin (Hebrews 4:14-16).
___Jesus' position as God's Son makes him worthy of our obedience. His ability to transform us by the Holy Spirit and his victories over temptation can provide us the strength and instruction to follow him.

---

Frontpage / Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!