It’s Easter week at C3 and we would love for you to join us in praying for God to work and do miraculous things this Easter in the lives of so many who are broken and hurting.
4 x 6 Plan | Read: Mark 10:17-34 & 1 Corinthians 16:12-24
“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:20-21)
From the Naked Gospel:
So the New Testament era did not begin on any page in any book. It began on a day in history when Jesus was crucified. This certainly helps us understand the twofold ministry of Jesus. His 33 years on planet Earth consisted of (1) burying people under the hopelessness of the law and (2) prophesying about a new way to come.
This first aspect of His ministry was not your friendly, neighborhood Jesus. This was the Lord with a sword. He told them to cut off their hand, pluck out their eyes, be perfect just like God, and sell everything. Ouch! And what was the reaction he received? The rich man went away sad as we just read today. The Pharisees went away mad. Mission accomplished.
What was that mission? To show that apart from Him they could do nothing. He exposed the true standard of the law and painted everyone into a corner so they’d see that law was not the way. This was Jesus’ first ministry. In contrast, His second ministry involved teaching about love, light, the vine and the branches, and prophesying about “the new covenant in My blood.” This new covenant did not go into force until his death, and we see the first evidence of it at Pentecost.
This dividing line of the cross is really important to realize. It helps us understand the harsh teachings of Jesus and put them in proper context. Then we can see what His intentions were. But if we just hang “be perfect” from our rearview mirror and memorize it on the way to work, trying our best to accomplish it, then we’ve missed the point. Under God’s new way, we Christians have been made perfect forever by Christ’s one offering (Heb. 10:14). Perfect righteousness is given to us as a gift.
Putting our new covenant glasses on as we read the words of Jesus (as well as the Old Testament law) really gives us perspective. We can call ourselves “red letter Christians” all day long. But at the end of the day, we’ve retained our eyes, our limbs, and our possessions. Those teachings of Jesus are not just difficult; they’re impossible! And that’s exactly what Jesus wants us to see. Then and only then do we see our need for the grace found in God’s new covenant.
Action Steps
Bible: What is God showing me? What am I going to do about it?
Bless: Serve one person through word, action, or gift today.
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