Youth Search The Scripture Lesson: 75
CHRIST ORDAINS TWELVE DISCIPLES
Text: Mark 3:1-35
Memory Verse: "And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that
he might send them
forth to preach" (Mark 3:14).
When
the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ started, He any followers who were drawn
to Him from Galilee and its environs. Out of these, He chose twelve whom He
gave power to preach and heal the sick. These were generally referred to as
apostles. However, the Pharisees were not happy with the healing
ministry of Jesus. "And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the
sabbath day; that they might accuse him" (Mark 3:2). They forgot that God
has ordained Him for this purpose. "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all
that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him" (Acts 10:38).
Christ's ministry witnessed different kinds of miracles which attracted the
people and this stirred up hatred from the religious people of His day.
CONTROVERSY OVER CHRIST’S HEALING ON THE
SABBATH (Mark
3:1-13;Matthew 4:28:1-1 7;Luke 13:11-17)
"And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which
had a withered hand. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the
sabbath day; that they might accuse him" (Mark 3:1, 2). It was the usual
habit of our Lord Jesus to go into the synagogues to minister. Besides, His
disciples had just been criticised for plucking the ears of the corn on the
Sabbath day, Now, "In the synagogue here was a man there which had a withered
hand" closely watched and monitored whether He would heal him. Their sole
aim for this close monitoring was “that they might accuse him”. Our Lord was
very much aware of their intent, so He asked them some questions. He
"saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth" and He
asked them whether it is "lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do
evil? to save life, or to kill?" This question exposed both their
ignorance and wickedness; so "they held their peace”. The Pharisees spent
most of their times looking for what Christ did not do well when they actually
saw the good things which He did, for which they could praise Him. Those who
have fault-finding spirit do not see any go od thing in what others do.
Christian youths should avoid fault-finding attitude because it wastes time.
Daniel was a victim of this. His enemies used the time they could have spent on
the king's business monitoring an innocent man.
Question
1:What should be the reaction of Christians towards hardened youths?
"And
when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the
hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And
he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other" (verse
5). Note that Jesus was angry at their hardness of heart and not at their
persons. Strong displeasure against sin is justified in the Scripture.
Therefore, Christian youths should not have any pleasure in the unfruitful
works of darkness but rather reprove them. The process of reproof may display
an element of disapproval and displeasure. However, Christian youths should only
hate their works because anger or hatred against the person is a sin.
Question
2: Why was Jesus opposed by the Pharisees?
In
response to the healing power that Christ demonstrated, ..the Pharisees went
forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they
might destroy him. But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea:
and a great multitude ...came unto him" (verses 6-8). This is nothing but
jealousy and envy, leading to malicious feelings. People who are jealous of others'
progress and achievements are often resentful. This was the exact thing that Joseph's
brethren manifested against him; likewise Saul against David. Jealousy is evil
and it attracts God's punishment.
CHRIST
CHOOSES HIS DISCIPLES
(Mark 3:14-21;Matthew 10:1-15;Luke 6:12:16)
"And
he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came
unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he
might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to
cast out devils" (verses 13-16). Christ had many followers. The work was
rapidly growing and progressing and He needed some that "should be with
him, and that he might send them forth to preach". Hence, He chose twelve
of His followers. These chosen ones to be sent to preach were called apostles.
Question
3: For how long should Christian youths wait before preaching the gospel?
The
selection here is for a special assignment. However, all Christians have been
assigned by the Lord to go and preach the gospel. "Go ye therefore, and
teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
Amen(Matthew 28:19,20). We do not need to be given any special call into evangelistic
ministry like this. The Lord has given us "power to heal sicknesses, and
to cast out devils", He equally promised that “these signs shall follow
them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with
new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing,
it shall not hurt them.; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall
recover (Mathew 16:17,18)..
Question
4: How can a sinning youth be a disciple of Christ?
The
names of the twelve apostles were Simon surnamed Peter, James the son of
Zebedee, John the brother of James, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus and Simon the Canaanite.To end the
list was "Judas lscariot, which also betrayed him. “Youths, today, can be
disciples of Christ by receiving pardon from sin and living a victorious
Christian life. They must be ready to patiently learn from Christ about the mystery
of the kingdom.
CHRIST
CORRECTS THE DOUBTERS
(Mark 3:22-35; Matthew 10:25; 12:24; John 15:18; Hebrews 12:2, 3;
1Corinthians 12:14-25; Luke 11:15-22; Hebrews 6:4-8; 10:26-30;1 Timothy
1:12-16)
While
Christ continued to preach to the multitude, a number of things that are worthy
of note happened. First, His friends came to Him while he was with the
multitude "...for they said, He is beside himself" (verse 21).Similar
things are still happening that those who claim to be our friends might call us
names and try to divert our attention from the work of the Lord. "And the
scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the
prince of the devils casteth he out devils" (Mark 3:22). This is rather a
harsh accusation that He had been using devil to cast out devils. But thank God
for our Lord Jesus Christ who "...called them unto him, and said unto them
in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against
itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself,
that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided,
he cannot stand, but hath an end" (verses 23-26). This response of our
Lord also serves as a lesson to the believing youths. If we are contradicting
one another, we cannot stand. We are expected to support and complement each
other in the body of Christ. In the process, our Lord also gives us the secret
of overcoming the wicked one. "No man can enter into a strong man's house,
and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will
spoil his house" (verse 27). While Christ tolerated the abuse and the
insult of these Pharisees, He did not fail to warn them of the inherent danger of
blaspheming against the Holy Ghost. "Verily I say unto you, Al sins shall
be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall
blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness,
but is in danger of eternal damnation" Unpardonable sin is clear in the
Scripture; when someone wilfully makes false declaration against the Holy
Ghost. Finally, His family member came and sought to get His attention.
"There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent
unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him,
Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee" (verses 31,
32). His response was striking"...Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he
looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold ny mother and
my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same
is
my brother, and my sister, and mother" (verses 33-35). Christ illustrated
that spiritual cord is stronger than the filial Cord. We should, therefore,
endeavour to keep our bond of unity in Christ Jesus.
