August 25, 2019 | Pastor John Bayles | Instructions for Disciples: The Ultimate Sacrifice | Mark 6:14-29
The Cost of Discipleship Mark 6:6 to 6:30
Instructions for Disciples: The Ultimate Sacrifice
Mark 6:14-29
The Gospel of Mark opens with the account of John the Baptist. This was a truly disturbing day in the life of Christ. Jesus said to His disciples prior to the beheading of John: “11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Mat.11:11). John had been the forerunner of Jesus “… preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”(Mar.1:5). Mark states that his message was singularly about the coming Messiah: “And this was his message: ‘After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” From his birth, John was elected by God to be not only a prophet, but also a disciple of Jesus. As he told his over five-hundred disciples, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less” (Joh.3:27-30). This account of John’s martyrdom is not incidental. Mark places it strategically between the sending and return of the disciples on their first missionary journey. He gives the greatest example to his Roman audience, and to us, of the dedication and ultimate sacrifice that comes with being a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Instructions for Disciples: The Ultimate Sacrifice
Mark 6:14-29
The Gospel of Mark opens with the account of John the Baptist. This was a truly disturbing day in the life of Christ. Jesus said to His disciples prior to the beheading of John: “11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Mat.11:11). John had been the forerunner of Jesus “… preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”(Mar.1:5). Mark states that his message was singularly about the coming Messiah: “And this was his message: ‘After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” From his birth, John was elected by God to be not only a prophet, but also a disciple of Jesus. As he told his over five-hundred disciples, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less” (Joh.3:27-30). This account of John’s martyrdom is not incidental. Mark places it strategically between the sending and return of the disciples on their first missionary journey. He gives the greatest example to his Roman audience, and to us, of the dedication and ultimate sacrifice that comes with being a disciple of Jesus Christ.
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