“and again, as was his custom, he taught them” (Mark 10.1c)
Recently our son began driving. As we spent time with him he obviously began to learn the rules of the road and became more familiar. One thing he seemed to continue to forget about where the speed bumps. We would cruise over them at 35 mph only to elevate and then bottom out. Each time he’d say, “Whoops.” Eventually he learned to slow down a bit as he came upon the speed bumps.
Sometimes, when reading the life of Jesus, we just cruise over the Christological speed bumps. In other words, we jump over what appear to be minor details in order to get to bigger details that we we know are coming.
I would argue, however, that there really are no insignificant items.
Take for instance the above reference to Jesus teaching the crowds. We know that Mark 10 goes on to provide a highly charged debate between Jesus and the Pharisess on the topic of divorce and marriage. In this case Mark puts a Christological speed-bump before us. We are bidden to slow down a bit before charging into the narrative.
When we do slow down, what do we find? We find the truth that Jesus teaches the crowds. Mark adds the emphasis that this was his custom. This passage bleeds compassion. It is like a healthy pine in a forest of verses. There is pitch to be seen and felt as we draw close.
Consider the mission. The entire mission of Jesus is one of compassion. He comes preaching and teaching God’s word. He is always, as he said in his pre-teen years, about his Father’s business. Jesus is always engaging others with biblical truth. His priority is understanding and faith. His obsession with the glory of the kingdom is arresting.
Consider also the audience. Throughout Mark we learn that the crowds are far more of an impediment to ministry than an encouragement in ministry. On several occasions they press in so close that he is forced to withdraw. These are not necessarily ‘seekers.’ They are without a doubt curious, but they do not appear to be prospects. Furthermore, Jesus is about to get into it with the Pharisees. His ministry, already characterized by conflict, will only continue to produce this same tone.
Consider the Cross. This brings us to the path. The path that Jesus is walking is here on a line toward Jersualem. He has made his last swipe through Galilee and is resolutely marching forward to Calvary where he will give himself as the wrath-bearing, sin-atoning, substitute for our sins.
This makes Jesus’ continued compassion through teaching even more staggering. If there was ever a time for someone to just kick back, relax, enjoy the scenery, and lay low…it was Jesus and it was then. However, to believe this is to wander away from who Jesus really is. The fact that he is the Savior, the Son of God, means that he will be doing these things. He must, every single minute, do what is pleasing to his Father. He must love God and neighbor without cessation. This is exactly who he is. This is who he must be.
Jesus’ ongoing disposition of love for God and neighbor as characterized by proclaiming the kingdom serves as both the motivation and the model for us as Christians. Because Jesus did it, we–who were formerly rebels, but now made sons–can now emulate our brother in honoring our Father. The fact of what Jesus did (here and ultimately at the cross) motivates, models, and enables us to do the same.
There is much for us to see when we read our Bibles. Therefore, it is good for us to slow down amid the intentionally laid speed bumps, particularly when they are so Christologically rich.
