|
Printer
Friendly Version - opens in separate window
I was struck by the words in verse 6 of this chapter.
Then Jesus went around teaching from village
to village.
We find the same in Luke's gospel:
Then Jesus went through the towns and villages,
teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. (Luke 13:22)
The account goes on:
Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people
going to be saved?"
"He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door,
because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand
outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us'.
"But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'
Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our
streets.'
"But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from
me you evildoers.'"(vv 23-27)
A great deal of emphasis is placed nowadays on the miracles Jesus performed
and I do not dispute their reality or their worth. But not so much is
made these days of the fact that Jesus simply went
through the towns and villages, teaching, and I feel this is
a shame. This text dealing with the reaction of his hometown, as well
as the crucial text dealing with entering by the narrow door, or gate,
is written in the context of teaching.
In Mark 6 we find the first thing Jesus did was teach in the synagogue
(v2). His teaching was amazing, so much so people asked among themselves
'Where did he get these things?' (v.2).
The problem was they thought they knew him of old and simply refused
to believe in him. It is interesting that 'He
could not do any miracles there, except lay hands on a few sick people
and heal them' (v.5). Now this was not because he couldn't perform
miracles but because he chose not to in the face of such unbelief. We
are told 'He was amazed at their lack of faith.'
Faith in what? Surely faith in the message he preached, faith in himself
and faith in God's provision.
In Luke the question is asked 'are only a few
people going to be saved?' Jesus' answer 'make
every effort to enter through the narrow door' is in the context
of teaching. By his teaching and by his works Jesus demonstrated who
and what he was. Those who would enter the narrow door must make every
effort to 'exercise' faith in him. Faith is a verb, a doing word, and
faith is 'exercised'. Note that, in the imaginary conversation depicted
by Jesus, many will say, 'We ate and drank with
you, and you taught in our streets.' But he will reply, 'I don't know
you or where you come from. Away from me you evildoers.' These
people were 'doing things' but these things didn't seem to count. Like
the people of Nazareth, they no doubt have their religion but they do
not 'exercise' faith in Jesus.
It is like this with the gospel. When Paul went to Berea (Acts 17:10-15)
he found that 'the Berean's were of more noble
character than the Thessalonians'. Why was this? 'Because
they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures
every day to see if what Paul said was true.'
Later, in Athens, Paul had a mixed reception. Some sneered, we are told,
while others said, 'we want to hear you again
on this subject'. (Acts 17:32-33).
When we teach the gospel it is so tempting to ask whether there was anything more we could do to convince our listeners and, of course, we should be concerned to do all we can. But even Paul, even Jesus found themselves amazed at the unbelief of some. This did not stop them going about teaching, reasoning in the synagogues, and putting before people the plain message of the gospel.
May we go out this week with a determination to 'exercise' simple faith
in the message of truth we have received. Remember the words of Paul,
'let us not become weary in doing good' (Gal.6:9). The Christian
walk and witness is not found only in grand events and great gestures
but in little fidelities, little acts of faithfulness. Let us be faithful
in sharing the good news.
Back to Readings
Menu
|
