Sermon Tone Analysis

A local business looking for office help put a sign in the window saying: “HELP WANTED.

Must be able to type, must be good with a computer and must be bilingual.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.”

A short time later, a dog trotted up to the window, saw the sign and went inside.

He looked at the receptionist and wagged his tail, then walked over to the sign, looked at it and whined.

Getting the idea, the receptionist got the office manager.

The office manager looked at the dog and was surprised, to say the least.

However, since the dog looked determined, he led him into the office.

Inside, the dog jumped up on the chair and stared at the manager, who said, “I can’t hire you.

You have to be able to type.”

The dog jumped down, went to the typewriter and typed out a perfect letter.

He took out the page and trotted over to the manager, gave it to him and then jumped back on the chair.

The manager was stunned, but then reminded the dog, “the sign says you have to be good with a computer.”

The dog jumped down again and went to the computer.

He then demonstrated his expertise with various programs, producing a sample spreadsheet and database which he presented to the manager.

By this time the manager was totally dumbfounded!

He looked at the dog and said, “I realize that you are a very intelligent dog and have some interesting abilities.

However, I still can’t give you the job.”

The dog jumped down and went to a copy of the sign. he put his paw on the part about being an Equal Opportunity Employer.

“Yes,” the manager said, “but the sign also says that you have to be bilingual.”

The dog looked him straight in the face, and said, “Meow.”

If you’ve ever gone after a new job you know what it is like to have to communicate your strengths, your weaknesses and explain what characteristics describe you.

It can be daunting…it can feel burdensome.

But, what about the characteristics of a disciple of Jesus?

The difference is, unlike a job search where we have to convince our potential employer we have those characteristics…in the Kingdom of God, none of us have the qualifications…but God graciously changes us…he fits us for the task…he gives us the character we need to be his disciples.

So this morning...

A short time later, a dog trotted up to the window, saw the sign and went inside.

He looked at the receptionist and wagged his tail, then walked over to the sign, looked at it and whined.

Getting the idea, the receptionist got the office manager.

The office manager looked at the dog and was surprised, to say the least.

However, since the dog looked determined, he led him into the office.

Inside, the dog jumped up on the chair and stared at the manager, who said, “I can’t hire you.

You have to be able to type.”

The dog jumped down, went to the typewriter and typed out a perfect letter.

He took out the page and trotted over to the manager, gave it to him and then jumped back on the chair.

The manager was stunned, but then reminded the dog, “the sign says you have to be good with a computer.”

The dog jumped down again and went to the computer.

He then demonstrated his expertise with various programs, producing a sample spreadsheet and database which he presented to the manager.

By this time the manager was totally dumbfounded!

He looked at the dog and said, “I realize that you are a very intelligent dog and have some interesting abilities.

However, I still can’t give you the job.”

The dog jumped down and went to a copy of the sign. he put his paw on the part about being an Equal Opportunity Employer.

“Yes,” the manager said, “but the sign also says that you have to be bilingual.”

The dog looked him straight in the face, and said, “Meow.”

If you’ve ever gone after a new job you know what it is like to have to communicate your strengths, your weaknesses and explain what characteristics describe you.

It can be daunting…it can feel burdensome.

But, what about the characteristics of a disciple of Jesus?

The difference is, unlike a job search where we have to convince our potential employer we have those characteristics…in the Kingdom of God, none of us have the qualifications…but God graciously changes us…he fits us for the task…he gives us the character we need to be his disciples.

So this morning...

Intentional

Last year, Forbes magazine pulished an article called “How to Craft Your Life Vision.”

In it, the author writes, “When you begin working on a life vision, you must first realize that your purpose can vary over time (different developmental periods or important life transitions).

You need to consider both personal and professional aspects, as well as other important areas such as your values and ideals.”

What this article represents is the human quest to find meaning and purpose.

Humans, living in God’s world, though in large part surpressing the truth about him…inherently know that there is more to life than what they see.

They recognize and realize the world, the universe is vast and they are small.

Nevertheless, many people still desire to live with purpose... Yet, the sad and sobering reality is that apart from the grace of God these vision statements are nothing more than declarations of the idol of self.

But Christians are called to something entirely different.

We are called to a vision beyond ourselves…even despite ourselves.

We are called to die and live lives hidden in Christ.

We understand, as believers, that our purpose in life is to bring glory to our God…to know him and make him known.

So the Christian too wants to live life with purpose…but that purpose isn’t about making ourselves the best we can be…it is about making much of our Lord and fulfilling our calling to serve him in the world.

That means our lives have purpose…our daily coming and goings should have intention.

As we look to Jesus we see intentional living.

He did not waste one moment of his life…his life was lived with purpose.

Mark tells us in verse 30… Now this is likely the upper Galilee region…remember they were up north in Caesarea Phlippi, then on the Mt. of Transfiguration…then began working back south.

But this little sentence speaks volumes.

Consider what Mark is saying here...

Jesus spent the vast majority of his life growing up, living, working, worshipping in Galilee.

This was home.

This is where he began his ministry and did much of the teaching, healing, casting out of demons, miracles, etc that we read about in the gospels.

But, in verse 30…they’re just a passin through.

There’s a certain somber reality to this.

His focus no longer is on Galilee.

As we saw previously, Chapter 8 represents a shift in the gospel of Mark.

Jesus begins to shift focus and as we come here to 9:30, we see his focus is set on what is ahead of him in Jerusalem.

The time is drawing nearer.

There is a certain melancholy in the note that Jesus is now only passing through a place he once lived, for Galilee is no longer in his sights.

He did not want anyone to know.

He is moving through the region with stealth…not wanting to draw further attention.

His focus is no longer there…he needs to go to Jerusalem.

His focus is on His father’s will…and he is continuing to teach his disciples about what is going to happen.

Now, let’s talk about verse 31.

Jesus says...

This is the most concise of all his statements on the suffering of the cross and resurrection.

The ESV translates the beginning of this verse...”going to be delivered.”

The NIV and NASB are similar in their translation.

But, the NKJV and the NLT use the word betrayed.

Now, this may seem like a minor thing, but the latter translation, I believe, misses the point of the passage.

I understand why they did it…and it is an acceptable translation of the Greek…but I do not think it fits the context.

In looking at this passage this week…what we’re seeing here is another divine passive.

Remember that term?

A divine passive is a verb in the passive voice (so the subject is being acted upon, not doing the action themselves) but in a divine passive…the actor is not identified…the purpose of that is to help the reader understand it is God doing the action.

So what we have here in verse 31 is a divine passive is conveying that God is handing over his Son to humanity to be killed.

So, unfortunately the NKJV and NLT don’t do a good job of demonstrating that here.

But, why is this important?

If it is a divine passive it conveys that God is handing over his Son to humanity.

Because it shows the intentionality behind Jesus’ actions.

He is moving toward Jerusalem because it is God’s will for him to be delivered into the hands of men to be killed…and then to rise 3 days later.

Are you living life intentionally?