Preaching in the House

In my temporary departures from the parable proper, I think I am striving for continuity. The point of these studies remains true, however, as I seek simply to expand topical awareness. When a seeker seeks truth, he must necessarily begin with a definition. In deriving such a definition through a more exacting scrutiny, and in the course of finding point-on answers, the seeker is compelled to ask the questions that deliver.

In short, we have to understand the words we see and hear. Not everyone communicates as I do, and I approach a matter with that in mind. You and I might have certain difficulties in nailing down a meaning within the context of a shared communication. Therefore, we can expect more vigilance will be demanded of us as we wrestle with communications from other cultures and timelines.

So, as I try to complete Mark nine for the sake of continuity, I am careful to ask the right questions rather than to simply, in a cavalier spirit, accept what I read at face value. Please follow with me as I seek the definitions that will facilitate the acquisition of truth. Let us closely attend the verses 30 through 50. These amount to simple conversational tidbits that are often not lingered over. Let us, together, ask the right questions while we are here.

Jesus did not want everyone to know where he was going on this particular trip as he passed with his disciples through the regions of Galilee. This part is plainly seen in Mark 9:30. Perhaps they arose in the hours before dawn so they might leave without the multitudes following them. I see them not drawing attention to themselves. I also see something more than the usual circuit of the ministry. I see them passing through Galilee with a definite destination in mind. It is as if they made a straight line for Capernaum, a fishing village that was central to both Jesus' ministry and his disciples' home-life.

Once there, the expression in 'the' house is used in verse 33. That seems a more definite reference than in 'a' house – at least it does to me. Capernaum is thought to be the hometown of Peter and his older brother Andrew, as well as the sons of Zebedee James the greater and John. The tax collector Matthew also made his home there. Since Jesus was already acquainted with the house of Peter, having healed Peters' mother-in-law, I can see him resorting there once more.

Since Peter had a mother-in-law, it is safe to assume that Peter had a wife and possibly children. If Andrew also lived in the house, he also may have had a wife and children present. Archaeologists pretty much agree that they have uncovered the first-century house of Peter and Andrew, a dwelling connected to two courtyards and having, at least, one room large enough to seat all the disciples at once.

Having the expression 'the' house instead of 'a' house makes perfect sense in this regard. These were all ordinary people with lives and families. It seems only reasonable that there were times within the ministry of Christ when a break was called for. So, Jesus and his disciples took a quiet trip home. When they arrived, some issues came up for discussion.

During their quiet trip, Jesus had discussed his approaching fate with the authorities. The disciples couldn't quite get their heads around the concept that Jesus, a man of miraculous powers, could possibly come to such a despicable end. They seemed fearful to ask for clarification – instead, they argued over which of them might end up as the apostolic top dog.

The in-house rebuttal took shape along the lines of reversal, which was one of Christs' preferred teaching techniques. In this, Christ usually taught that the things which men desired were exactly opposite of what God desired. He taught that the same was true for the things that men expected to happen as a natural consequence. Such were the lines of reversal: if a man lifted something up, God rejected it. The predispositions of men are always contrary to the truth of a spiritual God. So, in the house, in a room large enough to fit all the disciples, Christ sits down with a child in his arms, and preaches lowly humility. In other words, the first is last and servant to all. They believe with simple innocent joy like a child. Who was the child Jesus held? Was it one of Peters' children? Was it a child of Andrews wife?

The in-house preaching of Mark 9:37 covered the communication that binds all to one another. If a man receives the Son of God, he receives God. If a man receives the message, he receives the messenger. If a man receives the preaching of the apostles of Christ, he receives Christ. It is the communication that makes us one – that is to say that the mind of God, the Holy Spirit of Truth, is communicated. Therefore, all of us must exercise caution in who we reject, for it just might be that in rejecting someone we think of as just another person, we end up rejecting God.

All of us have a reward, we find that in verse 41 – that is, of course, if we do not reject it simply because it comes to us in the face of a person who is a challenge to our self-will and pride. Even the simplest act, as in giving a glass of water to a thirsty person, not because they are thirsty so much, but because it is what Christ would do, will ensure the reward that is ours. And let me just add, there have been many times in my life, when totally amazed at my steps along the precipice, I say to myself, “Man, I sure am glad I didn't mess that up!”

Some people take the child in Christs' arms to mean literal children, especially when Christ says that thing about offending one of the little ones. I too am dead set against anyone who harms or mishandles a small child but let us stop in all honesty and admit that there is an addendum to that charge made by Christ. There is a qualifier attached to the little one. It is not just any child, but it is exactly as Christ says, “one of these little ones that believe in me.”

It is faith alone that will make one acceptable to God. It is faith alone that will lead one to be the first by way of being servant to all. It is faith that will receive the child, and it is faith alone that will receive the communication of God even through a person we cannot consider as superior enough, or valid enough to stand before us and teach. Only faith will ensure the reward that is ours.

We are considering the right questions, as a traveler considers which shoes will be most comfortable and last the longest as we traverse uncertain roads. We would not find ourselves unshod with the roughest roads still ahead. Anyone who strives toward a goal must necessarily equip for the task. If you want to see the moon, you don't equip with a microscope. So hopefully, we ask the right questions as we seek the real meaning of the communication.

The chapter concludes in discussion about technique. Just how should one approach the task at hand? The discussion covers certain physical actions which many people have taken literally – which in turn has caused many to approach the task at hand ill-equipped. Christ told us that flesh is flesh and spirit is spirit, so why would anyone really think to enter heaven as a physical being? To make the transition from physical to spiritual, one must leave behind the body, even if it has only one eye or one hand.

To equip for such a transition, a person needs to stop thinking physically and find a way to approach reality in a spiritual manner. While the successful scenario is not covered, the scenario of failure is repeated three times for emphasis. If one fails to approach spiritual reality on spiritual grounds, one is left only with the certainty of physical decomposition.