My dear readers,

1. Gain through loss (Mark 8:31-38)
Dr John Sung was a brilliant man. After finishing high school in China, he went to the United States for his University education. He was such a bright and talented student that he soon graduated from Ohio State University with a doctorate. His father was a Methodist pastor who, in the 1909 revival in the Chinese town of Hinghwa, had dedicated his six-year-old son to the Lord for the ministry. In 1927, Dr Sung decided to return to China. His intention was to teach in the University. But on sailing home, God spoke to him, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36). Convicted, Dr Sung threw all his diplomas and honours out of the ship through the porthole. He donned the plain Chinese gown, looked like a Chinese coolie and began to preach. You can read about the life of this wonderful preacher and revivalist in "John Sung my Teacher" by Rev. Timothy Tow.

The Suffering Son
Jesus begins to instruct His disciples concerning His Passion: that the Son of man is to suffer and be killed, but would gloriously rise again in three days (Mark 8:31). He has to prepare them so that when they see Him die they may not fail Him nor falter in their faith. Impetuous Peter could not understand the significance of these words and thought to save Jesus the humiliation of death. One moment Peter has the truth, the next moment he succumbs to Satan’s sinister lie. Jesus’ death is a manifestation of man’s bitter hatred to God. It is also to be the supreme expression of God’s love to man (Ironside).

The Christian’s Cross
If Jesus died for me, is any sacrifice too great for Him? Should I not joyfully deny myself to follow Him? The Holy Spirit spoke to Dr Sung. The same Spirit can speak to us. The whole world in the sight of God is not to be compared with the soul. The choice must be made between temporal and eternal values. To deny self is not simply self-denial, but death to self that Christ may live in us. The Christian is crucified with Christ (Gal 2:20).

2. True greatness (Mark 9:30-37; 10:35-45)
Is it wrong for a Christian to be ambitious? Paul has a holy ambition. His greatest desire is that all Israel be saved. His greatest ambition is to offer himself to them. Paul very emotionally declares, "For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh" (Rom 9:3). In the Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah sounds a warning against Baruch for his ungodly ambition, "And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not..." (Jer 45:5). Unconsciously, we too have a desire for accomplishment and acclaim.

The request by James and John is presumptuous, ignorant and selfish. They want to have honourable and prestigious appointments in God’s Kingdom (Mark 10:37). They misunderstand completely the character of God’s Kingdom. Notwithstanding their ignorance, Jesus speaks about the cup and the baptism in connection with His passion. Jesus speaks again of His death and resurrection (Mark 9:31), but the disciples could not understand the instructions. They have thoughts only for the coming glory. Jesus’ death seems incredible and they reject it. Besides these two, the other disciples also argue among themselves as to who should be the greatest (Mark 9:34).

The Lord’s reply and reasoning with His disciples is twofold. The first is to take the example of a small child. To be truly great, one must be like a child, humble and unpretentious. The greatness is not in selfseeking but in selfsacrifice. The second is a personal example. Jesus comes not to be served but to serve. The paradox of true greatness in the light of the teaching of the Holy Scripture is that anyone who desires to be first must be last of all, and servant of all (Mark 9:35). "Whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister" (Mark 10:43). Jesus would rightfully be given Lordship, but He attains it by the way of servanthood.

3. The cost of discipleship
Discipleship calls for sacrifice. Following Jesus must always cost something. "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Mark 8:34). Let us be instructed in the steps towards discipleship and to count the cost from Mark 10:13-34.

Implicit Faith
The example of children is very instructional. The parents bring them to be blessed by Jesus, but the disciples forbid them. The Master is too busy, in any case how can they really benefit listening to adult sermons? Jesus is visibly displeased. No child is too young to be told of the Saviour’s love and to trust Him. Children have implicit faith; and Jesus said, "for of such is the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:14). Disciples must not be childish but must be childlike. Childlike faith is the only way into the Kingdom of God.

Explicit Allegiance
The second example is the rich young ruler. He has more than enough of this world’s goods, in fact he is morally upright as well. Jesus notes his sincerity and Mark describes the Master’s feelings: "Jesus beholding him loved him" (Mark 10:21). He has come in pursuit of the greatest blessing: eternal life. It would appear he has come quite near to attaining his quest. He can answer in the affirmative that he has kept the commandments since his youth (Mark 10:20). The word "lack" in verse 21 is translated "coming short of" in Romans 3:23. In spite of all his good works, explicit allegiance to Jesus is the answer to eternal life. This is one thing he lacks and it matters most. Wealth stands between him and Jesus. He cannot be a disciple.

Complete Surrender
Peter takes this opportunity to remind the Master that he has left all to follow Him (Mark 10:28). The disciples have done what the rich ruler has failed to do. Peter is looking for material rewards. This is the pre-Pentecostal Peter and many pastors today are like him. God is nobody’s debtor. The disciples’ sacrifices will be paid in full and overflowing.
Truly nothing is too much to surrender to the Lord.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor