Oil and water don’t mix. Pour water into a container, add oil, and “shake it like a Polaroid picture” (enter Andre 3000 voice). It still won’t mix!
We are entering the last week of Jesus’ life recorded by Mark. The disciples had no clue what was coming even though Jesus predicted his death 3x already. Their mindset was of physical victory not spiritual victory. Their expectation was wrong, I am sure we can all relate with wrong expectations.
Jesus is in the temple turning the tables over of the money changers. Instead of questioning the money changers the chief priests, scribes, and elders question Jesus’ authority. Jesus asks them to answer a question about John the Baptist before and we see them reasoning.
“And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men’ ”—they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. So they answered and said to Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”” Mark 11:31-33
They didn’t answer the question because they feared man more than fearing God. They recognized John came from God but their rep and status in this world was more important. So, they answered, “We do not know.”
We have the same choice: It’s either the Lord or (fill in the blank). Fearing people over fearing the Lord just doesn’t mix. It’s like oil and water. You can shake it like a Polaroid picture all you want but the two don’t mix. They stayed in a spiritually confusing state because they tried to mix their reputation with their belief. It’s always your belief in Jesus first. He will take care of the rest. Don’t hold onto things of this world and lose out on what’s most important. You can gain the whole world and still lose your soul.
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.