Called to discipleship by Jesus

Mark 3:13-19 ESV

[13] And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. [14] And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach [15] and have authority to cast out demons. [16] He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); [17] James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); [18] Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, [19] and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

https://bible.com/bible/59/mrk.3.13-19.ESV

Pastor Justin Kim

Who has Jesus called

Who were these first twelve people that were called to follow Jesus? The passage doesn't cover them in depth, but we look to other passage about them. Some were fisherman. Hard-working, middle class kinda of people. Matthew, a tax collector, who were social outcasts and seen as ceremonially unclean. Phillip and Bartholomewal who were seekers, looking for the savior, dinner disciples of John the Baptist. One was known as the zealot, very prominently religious. A "doubter" who didn't initially believe in the resurrection. It was a patchwork of people. There doesn't seem to be a common denominator among these twelve. The only thing that was pointed out scripturally is that Jesus chose them. 

This is something for us to be reminded about. If we are ashamed of being a Christian or we are not measuring up in some way, then take heart. If God has called us, that is sufficient. There is nothing else to be added to this.

What has Jesus called then to

What does it mean to be called? Why twelve? This is pointing back to the twelve tribes of Israel. He is rebuilding the nation of Israel. They are serving as the foundation of the new family of God, the church. He didn't pick a single super disciple. 

Being a Christian isn't meant to be comfortable. We aren't just to stick with those who are in the same life stage, those with the same political views, those who live like we do. Differences between believers are meant to be beautiful. It's not easy or comfortable, but that is what we are called to. A community of very different lifestyle, perspectives, political views, power and status. This isn't a one and done sort of thing, but rather it is a project.

How does Jesus prepare them

Jesus appoints them. But just as important is that Jesus spent time with them. They listened to him, watched what he did and hope he ministered to those around him. They had to know Jesus. This is more important than the power to cast out demons. 

The Greek for church means the ones who were called out. To be called out as an assembly for God. We are called individually out of sin and selfish living. We are also called out corporately to be a spiritual community. We need one another to experience Jesus fully. This isn't something that's meant to be only done individually.

Encounters with Jesus: The resurrection and the life

John 11:1-44 ESV

[1] Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. [2] It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. [3] So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” [4] But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” [5] Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. [6] So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. [7] Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” [8] The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” [9] Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. [10] But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” [11] After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” [12] The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” [13] Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. [14] Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, [15] and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” [16] So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” [17] Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. [18] Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, [19] and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. [20] So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. [21] Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. [22] But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” [23] Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” [24] Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” [25] Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, [26] and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” [27] She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” [28] When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” [29] And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. [30] Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. [31] When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. [32] Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” [33] When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. [34] And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” [35] Jesus wept. [36] So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” [37] But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” [38] Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. [39] Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” [40] Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” [41] So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. [42] I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” [43] When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” [44] The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.11.1-44.ESV

Rev. Kyuboem Lee

Jesus does not keep us at a distance. He doesn't perform a resurrection; He is the resurrection. 

Jesus wept

Lazarus is dead. God is too late. Martha just gives voice to how we feel about these kinds of situations. Jesus isn't offended. God wants our messy prayers. It is both accusation and faith together. Both sisters school the same thing. So then we come upon the the shortest verse in the Bible. Jesus wept. He was deeply moved. Jesus is not Buddha. Jesus is moved by the human suffering in front of Him. 

But why does Jesus weep? He knew Lazarus was dead before they arrived. He knew that he was about to raise Lazarus from death soon. So, why? Jesus enters into our grief. Jesus is overcome by our losses. We may feel this feature to preserve God's dignity. But Jesus comes into our lives and walks alongside us in the messiness.

Christian grief is normal and real. But the grief has hope. It does not circle in on itself. We aren't called to stay safe in the distance, but to come with Jesus to the tomb and weep with those in grief. He isn't simply polite, sending condolences from a distance. He brings his presence to those who are in the midst of grief.

I am the Resurrection

Martha and Jesus converse. Martha acknowledges her brother is dead. Jesus says Lazarus will rise again. Martha accepts and says that Lazarus will return at end times. Jesus challenges that by claiming to be resurrection. Not resurrection for end times, but rather resurrection in the midst of death, sin, and messiness of our lives. He is here now to bring life on the midst of everything.

[People] unbind him

Jesus calls for the stone to be rolled away. Martha points out that Lazarus had been buried for four days. He is a dead as can possibly be. Jesus reiterates his command and the stone is rolled away. Jesus prays for not Lazarus, but the community. Lazarus comes out bound in burial coverings. Jesus calls for the people to help unbind. This is not salvation that we are called to do. We are called to help unbind each other from the bindings of sin and death. This is what the church is called to do. Resurrected people need each other's help. 

Encounters with Jesus: Love and conflict

Matthew 23:1-12, 23-28 ESV

[1] Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, [2] “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, [3] so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. [4] They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. [5] They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, [6] and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues [7] and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. [8] But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. [9] And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. [10] Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. [11] The greatest among you shall be your servant. [12] Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

[23]  “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. [24] You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! [25]  “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. [26] You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. [27]  “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. [28] So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.23.1-28.ESV

We have known from Sunday school days that the Pharisees were the villains of this story. They opposed Jesus. We would consider them to be the farthest from ourselves. The opposite of the Christian. But think about this: they fasted once a week. We struggle to fast during Lent. They tithed not just their paychecks, but they also tithed their herbs. They knew the word of God inside and out. Not only did they respect the law of God, but they made additional laws to help them follow the law of God. 

This should make us tremble that such adherence to religious practice can make us the enemy of Jesus. Following the laws of God had an ulterior motive. It was a way to gain political power and status. Following the practices of religion without self examination will end in self righteousness. This is the results of a selfish heart given religious tools. We are more like the Pharisees than we think. 

The Pharisees kept all the minor laws in order to promote their own righteousness. Their outside is pristine but the inside is a tomb. The sex worker and the tax collector has an advantage in this. How so? Their sin is obvious. We cannot repent of what we consider to be a virtue. Self deception is slow and progressive. The longer we are a Christian, the more likely we will resemble the Pharisees.

The Pharisees pushed for self effort. Better and closer adherence to the law is the way to salvation. Works righteousness is completely contrary to the gift of grace. The call is to cast aside our righteousness and accept the gift of grace by the life and death of Jesus. We are not called to more effort, but a new identity. We are accepted as children of God because of Jesus. 

God does not keep a ledger of our good works. God doesn't owe us. But the Pharisees did. Good works will be rewarded. They perform for their own status. They take a genuinely good thing and twist them to promote themselves. 

Questions to help guide us back onto the path:

Do you find it harder to confess current sins rather than old ones? 

Do we impose rules on others than we ourselves do not fully meet? 

Do we still feel our need for grace just as much as when we first became a Christian?

Do we come to God as a child coming home or an employee reporting to their boss? 

Do we put burdens on others rather than giving grace?

Do we feel upset when we are not recognized for the work that we have done?

Encounters with Jesus: The guest who changes everything

Luke 19:1-10 ESV

[1] He entered Jericho and was passing through. [2] And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. [3] And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. [4] So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. [5] And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” [6] So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. [7] And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” [8] And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” [9] And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. [10] For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

https://bible.com/bible/59/luk.19.1-10.ESV

The crowd here hated Zacchaeus. They knew he was a short man and had a bad reputation. So they closed tanks and became an obstacle. They kept him from meeting Jesus, even seeing a glimpse of him. How often are we obstructions to faith and a display of the gospel. Because of some sin against us, our need for social comfort, our view of who deserves salvation, who deserves the gospel.

Rich and powerful people so not climb trees. This is unheard of. Desperation does strange things to people. Zacchaeus was desperate. Jesus sees this man up a tree and says he must have a meal with him. There's not a rebuke. Jesus says he must break bread with this sinful man. This man was a traitor to his own people. He was not acceptable among his people. 

The crowd, the people were offended. Sinners were to be shunned. Associating with sinners was bad. This is the way the common person at Jericho thought. The gospel is offensive. It is confounding. The people grumbled because this felt like Jesus was wrong to eat with this man. 

So Jesus has a meal with Zacchaeus. Unprompted, he promises to give away half his possessions and provide four-fold restitution to those he's defrauded. As a chief tax collector, he has surely defrauded many. If Zacchaeus followed through, he likely bankrupted himself in the process. This is the effect of the gospel. This is a picture of true repentance. Accepting Jesus brings us to a place of immense generosity and turning away from things that dishonor God.

What does following Jesus mean? What does it mean to how we see and use money? Instead of tweaking our budget, will we consider it as a tool for God's kingdom? What does it mean to who gets invited to our table? Will we invite those that society has turned their back on? This is the gospel doing radical work in our lives.

The Suffering Body of Christ on Mission

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 ESV

[7] But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. [8] We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; [10] always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. [11] For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. [12] So death is at work in us, but life in you

Romans 12:9-21 ESV

[9] Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. [10] Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. [11] Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. [12] Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. [13] Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. [14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. [16] Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. [17] Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. [18] If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. [19] Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” [20] To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Rev. Kyobeum Lee

Following Jesus is not about prosperity, success, and the good life we often here preached. It is about suffering on mission for God.

The Paradox of Christ's pain

Paul describes being afflicted, pressed, persecuted. This isn't about finding a comfortable, easy life. The gospel isn't about working harder. It tells us that we are terminal, dead. We need resurrection and new life. Grace isn't displayed by the strength of the messenger. It is shown in weakness. We are not golden chalices, but clay jars. We don't look down on suffering. We don't glorify suffering. We are not heroes. When we live faithfully, suffering comes. If we say that Jesus is ours and we are His, our life will become cross-shaped. This is how we witness and minister to the world. 

Patient suffering

Love is not transactional. It is genuine and not self serving.. It's not weird quid pro quo. Love for the sake of love, that is real love. Bless and pray for those who persecute you. Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn. Feed your enemies. This is a very counter cultural idea. It is not the way of those of the world. This is normal life in the kingdom of God. We are to lift up others. Quiet and enduring suffering because this is how Jesus lived. 

The early church was not full of eloquent speakers, good marketing. It grew because of their patience. When persecuted, they endured the suffering. They prayed as they were threatened with death. 

The Peril of Martyr Syndrome

We are called to suffering, but we are not called to be heroes. The martyr syndrome is something like this: "we seek conflict to affirm our point of view. If we are suffering, then God must be pleased. If we are persecuted, then we must be righteous. Don't you deserve better treatment? Aren't we righteous?"

The Holy Spirit does not speak like this. We are not the center of attention. Jesus should be the center. Our suffering does not save others. Our suffering only points to Christ's suffering. Our lives should point to Jesus. We are jars of clay, but we contain new life.

Encounters with Jesus

John 8:2-11 ESV

[2] Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. [3] The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst [4] they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. [5] Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” [6] This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. [7] And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” [8] And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. [9] But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. [10] Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” [11] She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”]]

Justin Kim

Superficial appearances

This situation was presented as a situation of choosing justice. But that is not really what's going on. Firstly, the Pharisees only brought the woman. Where is the man? The law states that both the man and the woman should be stoned. But here's another catch, the mount of olives is under Roman jurisdiction. The Jews were not allowed to execute capital punishment. This was purely made up as a trap. There was no concern with justice or the woman. People were treated as pawns. This situation exposed how corrupted and twisted these teachers of the law really were.

The wisdom in the silence

Jesus understands the trap. The Pharisees were pressing him on this to trap him whether he chose to execute the woman or let her go. He doesn't engage him on their terms. He stoops down and draws something on the ground. After they press him further, he responds on his terms. He tells them that one who is without sin should cast the first stone. What is he really saying? He's referring to the rest of the law. The execution is supposed to be started by the eyewitnesses. Eyewitnesses were to be impartial and looking for justice. Where were they? Are they innocent in this? Do they fall short in this area as well? 

There's two silences in this. One is when Jesus doesn't answer at first. Next is when Jesus answers them. Silently, the Pharisees walked away starting from the oldest to the youngest. Jesus' response was a mirror. They see their need for mercy as much as this sinful woman. 

We go from this chaotic scene of a crowded courtroom drama to just the woman & Jesus. We don't know whether this woman knew Jesus. Consider that Jesus is the one person who could cast the first stone. He was without sin. He does not condemn, but rather gives her grace. The initial situation was a sham of a trial. But this, this is the real judgement. But also he immediately tells get to leave her life of sin. It is both grace and truth. Jesus met her in her guilt and calls her to new life. 

Grace that doesn't call us to change is not grace, but permissiveness. 

This is the call of the gospel. We cannot reverse these two. We feel like we need to earn our place. Firstly, we need to receive this forgiveness, this mercy. Then, we can answer the call to a new life. We cannot earn it, so Jesus pays it. He is the payment of our debt. It is a costly grace. 

The verdict for the Pharisees is for them to sit in the silence and consider their sins & their need for grace. So, we should also consider that we too need to consider our sins firstly and what grace we need rather than focusing on others' sins.

For the woman, who came with guilt and shame, there is a call to accept the grace of Jesus and walk the path of new life. To consider our old life dead and to walk in the new life Jesus calls us to. To accept the grace offered to us, that is free to us, but is of great cost to Jesus.