THE LIFE OF CHRIST - MINISTRY OF WITHDRAWALS
Fourth Withdrawal
-Self-Ambition Contrasted to Child-Like Humility
-Mark 9:33-50; Matthew 18:1-14; Luke 9:46-50
-While in the house in Capernaum, Jesus asked the apostles about what it was they had been
discussing along the way – knowing that they had discussed (or reasoned about) who amongst
them would be the greatest in the kingdom.
-“The Lord with his disciples was now on his way back to Galilee from Caesarea Philippi,
where, some ten days before, he had promised the keys of the kingdom to Peter, and where
he had honored Peter and the sons of Zebedee by a mysterious withdrawal into the mount.
These facts, therefore, no doubt started the dispute as to which should hold the highest office
in the kingdom. The fires of envy thus set burning were not easily quenched” (McGarvey/
Pendleton, pg 430).
-To offset their misplaced ambition, Jesus gave them an object lesson on humility.
-Jesus was teaching that it is not ambition for self that makes one great in His kingdom.
Instead, child-like humility would lead one to greatness. For “whosoever shall humble
himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 18:4).
-“…[P]ride, as an attempt to be thought of more importance than we are, is foolish, wicked,
and degrading. To be willing to sacrifice self, and to be servant of all, even to the least
disciples, was path to true distinction and honor” (Dorris, pg 218).
-“True greatness is in service; those who serve most unselfishly are the greatest in the
kingdom of God” (Boles, 1940, pg 207).
-While the apostles were thinking about what they could receive in the expected kingdom
and how they could be well-served within it, Jesus taught the importance of giving to
others and serving them.
-At this time John speaks. “It is probably that John introduced this at this time because he
wanted to change the subject after the embarrassment of the rebuke for their dispute concerning
greatness” (Boles, 1940, pg 207).
-John made reference to a person who was casting out demons in the name of Jesus. The
apostles forbade him from doing so since he was not working directly with them.
-Jesus indicated that they should not have hindered the work of this man.
-Some have claimed that this occasion lends support for denominationalism and God’s
acceptance of many different groups with various teachings - even contradictory teachings.
-However, the key is that this person was casting out demons in the name of Christ. This
means that he was doing so by the authority of Christ.
-Let’s remember the purpose of the miraculous abilities that existed at that time:
verification of Jesus’ true identity as the Son of God (Acts 2:22) and verification of
Jesus’ followers as teachers of God’s truth (Mark 16:19-20).
-Because one speaks about Jesus does not mean that one speaks for Jesus. One could
speak about Jesus in a way contrary to Biblical truth and, as a result, would be
speaking against Him.
-The scriptures plainly teach that there is a certain doctrine to be learned, obeyed and
proclaimed. (2 John 9-11, Rom 6:17)
-Unity should be sought within the truth of God’s word, not in the sacrifice of it.
(1 Cor 1:10, John 17:20-21)
-Therefore, this man had to be in harmony with Jesus and His apostles. Also, if this man
was involved with any teaching, it had to be in accordance with the truth that Jesus was
revealing to the people. However, we see that the apostles hindered him just because he
wasn’t working with them. This, too, revealed a need for greater humility amongst
them.
-“Jesus here returns to the discussion of greatness, and reasserts the doctrine that the smallest act
of righteousness, if performed for the sake of the King, shall be honored in the kingdom”
(McGarvey/Pendleton, pg 432).
-Jesus Teaches Regarding Offenses
-Every soul is valuable in the sight of God - as evidenced by Jesus’ account of the lost sheep
(Matt 18:10-14). Notice the main point, “Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in
heaven, that one of these little ones should perish” (Matt 18:14).
-In Matthew 18:3, Jesus used a child to represent one who had been converted to child-like
humility. We also find a harsh warning being issued to any who would offend such a one.
-For, he who offends such a one, would be better off if he, with a large millstone tied
around his neck, was cast into the depths of the sea and drowned.
-This shows that there are harsh consequences for causing another to stumble.
-With Jesus’ use of the phrase, “which believe in me” (Matt 18:6) it seems that Jesus was still
speaking of a child-like Christian rather than a literal child.
-“This shows that Jesus is talking about his disciples; it is one who believes ‘on me’ and
not a child in age” (Boles, 1936, pg 369).
-By receiving (accepting and aiding) a fellow Christian, we are not only receiving Jesus
but also the Father. (see Mark 9:37)
-Jesus then pronounces woes which are directed at those who cause occasions of stumbling in
others.
-Let us never underestimate the dangers and consequences of causing another to stumble!
-Also in this passage, Jesus teaches that we are to have the willingness to deny self in order to
avoid stumbling.
-Obviously, the examples Jesus gave (cutting off a hand, plucking out an eye) are not to be
taken literally. These examples were given to show the high price we should be willing to
pay (the sacrifices we should be willing to make) in order to remain faithful to God.
-Mark’s account (vs 43-48) reveals the possibilities of eternity: being cast into hell where the
fire is not quenched or entering into life. There are no other options.
-Contrary to what some believe and teach, the eternal place of hell is a reality. Therefore, we
must be diligent in our efforts to serve God faithfully so that we can receive His grace and
mercy and thereby avoid hell and receive life.
-Regarding Mark 9:49-50, these verses are somewhat challenging. There are different ideas as to
their meaning. Here are a couple of possibilities.
-“If the word ‘fire’ were found in an isolated text it might be taken as a symbol either of
purification or of punishment. But the context here determines its meaning, for it has just
been taken twice as a symbol for punishment. Salt is a symbol of that which preserves from
decay. Now, Jesus has just been talking about the future state, with it two conditions or
states of bliss and punishment. In both of these states the souls of men are salted or
preserved…The passage summarizes and contrasts the two states of future preservation, one
being the salt of eternal life which preserves a man to enjoy the love of God in heaven, and
the other being the salt of fire which preserves him in hell to endure the just punishment of
God. The ‘every one’ in verse 49 refers to the sufferers mentioned in verse 48” (McGarvey/
Pendleton, pg 434-435).
-“If we understand ‘fire’ as a reference to the persecutions and tribulations that invariably
beset the Christian pilgrimage, it means that none shall be saved except through the
endurance of the world’s scorn and opposition. Paul expressed this thought as ‘All that live
godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution’ (2 Tim 3:12). Of course, this is a difficult
verse, and all kinds of notions have been advocated as the meaning of it” (Coffman, 1975,
pg 197-198).