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Not a Cheap Conjurer of Tricks (Mark 8:31-38)
We just sat and watched the first film in the Lord
of the Rings trilogy again for the umpteenth time. There is a scene
early on in the movie when Gandalf is speaking to Bilbo Baggins about
relinquishing the ring he has had all these years. Bilbo is reluctant
to let it go and, under the ring's spell, accuses Gandalf of wanting
it for himself. Gentle persuasion having failed Gandalf draws himself
up to what is a considerable height compared to a Hobbit, the room darkens,
and his voice thunders, "Bilbo Baggins, do not take me for some cheap
conjurer of tricks!" Lowering his voice he whispers sincerely, "I am
trying to help you."
In the text the disciples have begun to see who Jesus is. As we said last week, the penny had dropped for at least some of them. There was more to this man Jesus than even they, who had watched him so closely, had so far seen or realised. This was no cheap conjurer of tricks, but someone who had serious business to do with God and for the good of mankind, and soon even his enemies would realise it. Meanwhile, Jesus
"Began to teach them that the Son of Man
must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests
and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three
days rise again."
The reaction was understandable really. I mean, after all they had seen
so far, and with the slow realisation that this was just the tip of
the iceberg, how could this possibly be true? But when,
"Peter took him to one side and began to rebuke him" Jesus knew
exactly what and who he was dealing with. His was an uncompromising
mission in which there were no byroads or detours, and there was an
enemy who would want to persuade him to take another path. He had tried
once before, in the wilderness, and failed and here he was again speaking
through a friend and follower, "Get behind me,
Satan!" [Jesus] said: "You do not have in mind the things of God, but
the things of men."
Thy Will be Done
In witnessing the life and ministry of Jesus Peter might have been forgiven for thinking in terms of the possibilities such power and teaching open up. It is in the nature of men and women to see "what good can be done" with power and want to use power for good. In the film weak men saw the ring as an opportunity to do great good, but Gandalf knew that it would only rule men and bend them to its evil will. They say the roads of hell are paved with good intentions and Jesus knew this. Just as the ring in the film must be taken to a particular place, Mordor, to be destroyed in order to save the world so Jesus had to go to a particular place, Golgotha, to destroy the power of sin. The choice had been made in eternity and there was only one path to follow - the path of sacrifice.
It is a sobering thought that the Creator of all things chose to deny himself, lay aside his power, and take up the Cross in order to save what he had created. It is astonishing, the wisdom of God that saw this as the only solution to the problem of man's sinfulness and from before the foundations of the earth chose this way. It is challenging to be told that this is the way for all his disciples. We begin here to learn of what I like to call the economy of heaven. Man's values are the values of a fallen world and are small and petty, selfish and grasping. Heaven's values are the values of a redeemed world and are wide and expansive, selfless and giving. According to the economy of heaven the worth of a soul is so great that:
1. The real estate of the whole world cannot purchase it (v.36-37)
2. The Creator of all things is prepared to suffer and die to win it (v.31)
3. True disciples will give their lives to keep it (v.35)
4. Heaven itself is the reward for all who confess the One who saves it (v.v.38)
CS Lewis once said:
"There are two kinds of people: Those who say to
God, 'They will be done'; and those to whom God says, 'Alright, have
it your own way.'"
The consequences of each choice are starkly laid before us here. I wonder what you think your soul is worth? God considered it worth the greatest treasure in heaven - His Son. Perhaps this week we should reflect on the choices we make in light of this truth:
If anyone would come after me, he must deny
himself and take up his cross and follow me (v.34).