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Steve Hiller: Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I'm Steve Hiller, glad you're with us as today we're continuing our series, The Gospel According to Jesus. Colin, today we come to the book of Mark, chapters 11 and 12, and we find Jesus at the temple. He finds himself not welcomed at the temple, but actually confronted with a bunch of questions.

Colin Smith: Yeah, it is extraordinary, isn't it? The Son of God comes to God's temple. You would think he would be welcomed, but he gets all this hostile questioning, and masterfully our Savior responds to some pretty tough questioning.

I think, Steve, this is a marvelous place for us to learn about how to be winsome witnesses to Jesus Christ. Just looking at how the Master handles questions, how he's not intimidated, how he manages to move from a question to what really advances the cause of the gospel. It's just marvelous to look at it and to say, "Now, I want to learn to do that and to be a more useful witness." We're going to get some real insights into how to be a winsome witness for Jesus Christ out of the example of Jesus facing some pretty tough questions today.

Steve Hiller: All right, so let's dive into today's message entitled, Jesus Has the Answer to All His People's Questions. Here's Pastor Colin.

Colin Smith: We've come to the Tuesday of what we call Holy Week. Again, our Lord Jesus Christ, chapter 11 and verse 27, comes to the temple. What follows from chapter 11, verse 27 through to the end of chapter 12 in Mark's gospel is a series of questions and challenges that were brought to our Lord Jesus Christ, and Mark records the answers that our Lord gave. We're going to see four questions that were asked of Jesus. We're going to try and learn from the questions and then we'll come back and seek to learn from Jesus' answers.

The first question, and it's recorded from Mark chapter 11, verse 27 right through to chapter 12 and verse 12. You find it at Mark 11:27. They asked Jesus, "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you authority to do this?" Now, this question was asked by the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. This was an official delegation.

Remember that on the previous day, Jesus had cleared the money changers and those who were selling doves out of the temple. He'd overturned their tables and he had driven them out. This is a sort of breach of the peace, and so we bring in the lawyers. That's what happens, and so the teachers of the law come. The scribes were the legal experts, so the legal crowd shows up along with the chief priests and the elders, and they're having what really is a kind of an official deposition. They're saying to the Lord Jesus, "Now we've got some questions. We need to know by what right did you do this, and who gave you authority to do what you did right here yesterday?"

The answer, of course, is that Jesus cleared the temple on the basis of his own divine authority as the Son of God. God's Son has supreme authority over God's house, as he does over all of God's world. But clearly these men do not recognize that, nor do they accept it, as indeed millions do not recognize the authority of Jesus or accept it today.

It is extraordinary, isn't it, in the story of the gospel? We have seen the authority of Jesus over nature, the stilling of the storm; over demons, delivering distraught and demented people; over sickness and over death. We've seen the authority of Jesus demonstrated, but when he comes to the temple, it's, "Hey, not in my house. Not in our house. We're in charge here. You don't tell us what to do."

The first thing that we learn about ourselves here is that by nature, we are rebels against God's authority. Human nature has never changed. It is our nature to resist God's truth and to reject God's Son. Our natural choice, left to ourselves, would always be to be our own god, to choose our own religion, to run our own lives, and to be in charge of our own house. We are rebels by nature.

Now, as we go through these questions, I want us to pick up some insights from the way that Jesus handles questions and answers. As we think about being more proactive in sharing the gospel with unbelievers, it's good for us to learn from the example of Jesus as to how he handled some of these difficult conversations, especially when people were antagonistic. So we're going to pick up an evangelistic insight from each of these interactions.

The first one from this discussion is simply this: don't be intimidated when you're sharing the gospel, rather take the initiative. I want you to notice that Jesus does not answer the hostile question directly. You don't need to answer every question that's ever asked of you, especially if it comes in a hostile kind of way. Jesus' pattern was that he spoke openly to those whose hearts were open, and he spoke indirectly to those whose hearts were closed.

To these hostile men, Jesus answers with a parable that comes at the beginning of chapter 12. It's a story about a man who owned his vineyard, he rented it to tenants, he sent servants to the tenants and they killed the servants. He sent his son to the tenants and they killed the son. Then Jesus says at the conclusion of his story, which is all in answer to their question, verse 9 of chapter 12, "What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others."

You see what Jesus is doing. He moves the discussion from a theoretical question about his authority to a personal question about the response that these men are making to him as God's Son. He takes the initiative to move it away from a theoretical discussion to a personal discussion about the response of these individual men and their responsibility towards God. He lays out quite clearly the consequences of rejecting the Son God has sent into the world. It must have got through because chapter 12 and verse 12 says that they looked for a way to arrest Jesus because they knew that he had spoken this parable against them.

Here's the first question. It's an official question about the issue of authority. From it, we learn something about ourselves and our world: that by nature we are rebels against God, we resist his authority. This insight from the way Jesus handles the discussion: don't be intimidated, rather take the initiative.

Let's move on to the second question, which is a political question about money. This runs from chapter 12, verse 13 through 17. Paying taxes to Caesar. Verse 15: "Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn't we?"

Again, Mark tells us that this question was asked by the Pharisees and by the Herodians. We know that these two groups had already rejected Jesus, but they tried to flatter him as they tried to catch him in his words, verse 13. They come up with this very smooth talk, verse 14: "Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men because you pay no attention to who they are, but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth." They're trying to present themselves as genuine seekers after truth, as some people will do.

But Jesus sees right through them. Verse 15: "Jesus knew their hypocrisy." Strong word that Jesus uses. He knew their hypocrisy. They talk as if they are real followers of Jesus, genuine seekers after truth, but Jesus knew that the reality of their hearts was that they did not do what they said. That's hypocrisy.

I think the second thing that we learn about our own human nature is that we are not only rebels who resist God's authority, but we are by nature hypocrites who avoid God's command. It is in our fallen human nature to talk better than we act, to present ourselves as being more spiritual than we really are, to kind of hide behind a presentation of self as being supportive of good and religious and spiritual things, while actually we hold ourselves back from full devotion to Jesus Christ. That's our nature.

Now, again, an insight from the way Jesus handles this discussion. When you're sharing the gospel, don't be distracted, but stay focused. I say that because what's going on in this second question, and it's very significant for us, is that the Pharisees and the Herodians are trying to get Jesus involved in the great political issue of their day, which was, of course, how should we respond to the Roman occupation? That was the great political hot potato of the time of Jesus, and people were divided as to how the Jews should respond.

If Jesus had taken a position on this issue, as clearly they were asking him to do here, it could only have compromised his mission. Because if he had aligned himself with people on one side, he would have alienated the people on the other side from the message of the gospel. What we find here is a very important example for us as a church: that Jesus refuses to be distracted from the work of the gospel by a political agenda. He is resolute in being focused on his own mission.

Now, let me be clear. It is a good thing for Christians to be involved in political life as Christian citizens. Many members of our congregation are actively involved politically, engaged in political parties, serving on governing committees, active in particular campaigns. I thank God for that. It is a good thing, a right thing, for us to do as Christian citizens. But it is not the business of the church.

Jesus makes this very clear in his own focus on mission here, that the mission of Jesus was not to reform an old community, but rather to build a new community. The strategy of Jesus was not to change the law of the land, but to change the hearts of the people. When these Pharisees and Herodians try to suck him into the current political debate, they sort of throw him the political hot potato of the day, "How do we respond to the Roman occupation? What's your position on paying taxes to Caesar?" Jesus simply refuses to go there. What does he do? He brings the conversation right back to the issue of how we must respond to God. For this reason, he came into the world.

There's some very important things for us here, especially at this time. A political question is raised with our Lord Jesus Christ, it's primarily focused on money. Jesus draws out this fundamental human problem: that we are by nature hypocritical, we talk better than we act, and we sound more spiritual than we actually act. We gain this great insight: that in the cut and thrust of debate where people will try to move the agenda of the church and move the agenda that you have in sharing the gospel, don't be distracted. Let us not be distracted, rather stay focused.

Steve Hiller: You're listening to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith and a message called Jesus Has the Answer to All His People's Questions. We've just looked at a political question about money. When we come back, we're going to look at a theological question about the resurrection, so I hope you'll stay with us.

If you ever miss a program in this series, you can always come and listen online. Our website is openthebible.org. There you can stream the program or download an MP3 for free. You can also listen if you have the Open the Bible app. You'll find that for free at your app store. But whether you listen to this program on the radio, through the website, or through the Open the Bible app, it's all made possible because of your generosity. As you give a gift of any amount this month, we want to send you a book called Saved to Sin No More. It's all about how union with Christ empowers us to live a life of holiness. Because we've been united to Christ, it makes our battle against sin possible. It's where we find the joy and the light and the love and the power of peace that only Jesus is able to bring into our lives. Again, we'd love to send you a copy of this book as our way of saying thank you for your financial support. You can give online at openthebible.org or call 1-877-OPEN-365. Let's get back to the message. Here's Pastor Colin.

Colin Smith: Now, a third question. The third question is theological and it relates to the issue of the resurrection. This comes in Mark chapter 12, verses 18 to 27. The Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection. I was told when I was a kid, this is how you remember the Sadducees: they didn't believe in the resurrection and that was how they were "sad, you see," because you will be sad if you don't believe in the resurrection. Absolutely miserable position to take, but they didn't believe in the resurrection. They thought that the idea of resurrected bodies beyond this life was laughable and ridiculous.

Being good comedians, they developed this story about a woman who, they said, "Now suppose that a woman marries seven different men and then they're all resurrected. Now Jesus, can you tell us, in the resurrection, whose, to whom will she belong, which one will be her husband in the resurrection?" To their minds, you see, this story that they'd concocted showed that the whole idea of the resurrection was absurd and laughable and ridiculous. So there is a great deal of cynicism quite clearly in this question.

I want you to notice how Jesus traces cynicism to its root. He says, "Here's your problem," verse 24. "You don't know the Bible, you don't know the Scriptures, and you do not know the power of God." Here's a third dimension of our fallen condition. Not only are we rebels who resist God's authority, not only are we hypocrites who avoid God's command, but by nature we are cynics who disregard God's power.

Here's another little insight that might just help us and encourage us as we share the gospel. Number three: don't be ashamed, but be confident. Some people are very cynical and they will try and embarrass you, and they will look down their noses as if you must be intellectually very lightweight to believe the Bible at all. "How can you seriously believe in a man born with no father and going up into the sky? This is incredible." Don't be ashamed. You be confident.

Remember that cynicism grows when a person does not know the power of God and therefore is not even able to grasp the Scriptures. You see, once you know the power of God, that changes everything. Once you come to know the power of God, then what seemed perhaps in your previous worldview fantastic and impossible suddenly doesn't seem so strange after all.

So, an official question about authority, a political question about money, a theological question about the resurrection. Fourthly, a genuine question about love. Mark chapter 12, verses 28 to 34. A man comes to Jesus and says, "Lord, of all the commandments, which is the most important?" Jesus points him to the answer, that it is the commandment to love.

Now, this question came from a teacher of the law, verse 28, who evidently was impressed with the teaching of Jesus and seemed to be genuinely supportive of what Jesus was saying. There's quite a different tone from this man. There's nothing of the cynicism or the antagonism or the hypocrisy that we've seen in the earlier questions. This is a man who sincerely wants to live a life that is pleasing to God. He says, "Now, what's the thing I should really focus on if I'm trying to do this?" The man agrees with the answer that Jesus gives, and Jesus even commends the man, verse 34, saying that the man had spoken wisely.

Then after this little interaction, Jesus says something that is absolutely astonishing in verse 34. Please look at it with me. "When Jesus saw that the man had answered wisely, Jesus said to him, 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.'"

Now, I think when the teacher of the law, who was having such a warm conversation with Jesus, heard him say this, he must have stepped back. "Not far? What do you mean, not far? I mean, here's this man who is committed to loving God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength. That's what I'm trying to do," he says, "and love his neighbor as himself." Jesus says, "You're not far from the kingdom of God." Not far. What do I have to do to get in? You see what Jesus says. You're not far from the kingdom of God, but not far means not in.

So here's a fourth thing that we learn about our natural human condition, and it is that we are strangers outside of God's kingdom. With all our sincerity and our best efforts at living a life of love, we may be not far, but that doesn't get us in. Living a life of love may get you near, but according to Jesus, living a life of love won't get you in. That makes you think. Must have made this man think.

So, evangelism insight number four. As we share the gospel, let's be sure that we don't get confused, but rather keep it clear. Some people that we speak with are living genuinely good lives. They're lovely people, sincere. They come to church, they read the Bible, they pray, they agree with what you say, they compliment your ministry. They're so sincere that you might think that you might be in danger of forgetting that they are really lost. Being a good person won't save you or anybody else.

When someone says to you, and honestly, this happens even in interviews within the context of the congregation, when someone says to you, "I love God and I really try to love my neighbor as myself and to live a good life," that may mean that they are near to the kingdom. It does not indicate in itself that they are in the kingdom, according to what Jesus says here. So don't get confused, because it would be a terrible thing to be like this teacher of the law who was clearly sincere and religious and in many ways a godly kind of man, but simply to live your life not far from the kingdom but not actually in the kingdom.

Steve Hiller: You're listening to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith and a message called Jesus Has the Answer to All His People's Questions, and we're going to pause here, but we'll get back to the message on our next broadcast. I hope you'll make it a point to tune in.

If you ever miss a broadcast, come and listen online. Our website is openthebible.org. There you can stream the program, you can also download an MP3 for free. You can also listen if you have the Open the Bible app. You'll find that for free at your app store, and it's a great way to stay connected with Pastor Colin's teaching and listen on demand whenever it fits your schedule. So again, look for the Open the Bible app at your app store or come and listen online at openthebible.org.

Well, Open the Bible is a listener-supported ministry. It is your generosity that allows us to bring you Pastor Colin's teaching whether you listen on the radio, online, or through the app. As you give a gift of any amount this month, we want to say thank you by sending you a copy of Brad Wetherell's new book called Saved to Sin No More. Colin, what's one thing that you'd like people to take away from this book?

Colin Smith: Well, I think the number one thing is encouragement in the Christian life. You know, I think a lot of folks have the idea, Steve, that to be a Christian is basically to commit to a disciplined pursuit of a good and a moral life, and it's so much more. That's the heart of what's in this book, speaking about union with Christ.

I was just talking to someone who's past the age of 70 this week, and he told me that for 35 years he had regarded himself as being a Christian, and everyone else would have regarded him as a Christian too. He said, "But it was only in the last five years that he really came to understand a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ." He said, "I had religion for 35 years, I've only had a relationship with Jesus for five." And there's all the difference in the world.

The first thing he said when I said, "Well, tell me about the difference," he said, "Well, I've begun to experience victory over sin," and then he spoke about peace and he spoke about joy and he spoke about hope. Now, you know, it's simply not possible to gain victory over our besetting sins if all we've got is our best effort to live a good life and to overcome the things that plague us. What makes it possible to really make progress in the Christian life is that Jesus Christ himself lives in the life of a believer by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. That makes a whole new life possible, and this book really gives an introduction to the central, though sadly I think little understood, truth of the Christian life: Christ in you, that's the hope of living a new and a transformed life. It's a wonderful book and I think it'll be a great encouragement to all who read it.

Steve Hiller: Again, the name of the book is Saved to Sin No More: How Union with Christ Empowers a Life of Holiness, and we want to send you a copy as our way of saying thank you for your financial support this month. You can give your gift online at openthebible.org or when you call 1-877-OPEN-365. That's 1-877-673-6365, or again our website is openthebible.org. For Pastor Colin Smith, I'm Steve Hiller. Thanks for listening and I hope you'll join us next time.

This program is a listener-supported production of Open the Bible.

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