Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 5, 2023
His First Throne
Mark 15:22-32
1. Context
• delivered by Pilate to be crucified (6-15), mocked by soldiers and the compulsion of Simon (16-21)
2. Details at the Cross 22-28
• Golgotha/Calvary: “place of a skull”
• drink refused (Prov. 31:6)
• description of fact
• division of garments and casting of lots (Psa. 22:18)
• designation of time: the third hour or 9:00 a.m.
• disclosure of inscription: The King of the Jews
• crucified between two thieves (Isa. 53:12, Mark 10:39)
3. Derision at the Cross 29-32
• participants: those who passed by, chief priests, thieves (Psa. 22:7-8)
• despised as prophet (Mark 14:58, John 2:18-22)
• mocked as priest
• humiliated as king
• the taunts and the truth (Isa. 53:10)
4. So What?
• Because King Jesus made the cross His first throne, seize the benefit of His sacrifice and celebrate its lasting impact.
• “Crucified as a king, He was king still. He made the cross His first throne.” (S. Ferguson)
• “A sacrificial death is the true work of the Messiah of the law, prophets and psalms and because He did not come down from the cross, therefore He is ‘crowned with glory and honor’ in heaven, and rules our gratefully redeemed hearts on earth.” (Maclaren)
• “God forbid that Christ’s agony would ever become a matter of dispassionate interest.” (K. Hughes)
• “The other gods were strong; but Thou wast weak. They rode, but Thou didst stumble to Thy throne. But to our wounds only God’s wounds can speak; and not a god has wounds, but Thou alone.” (E. Shillito, “Jesus of the Scars”)
• “What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered was all for sinners’ gain. Mine, mine was the transgression but Thine the deadly pain. Lo, here I fall, my Savior, ‘tis I deserve Thy place. Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace…” (Bernard of Clairvaux, “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 29, 2023
Sour Grapes
Mark 12:1-12
1. Background
• penetrating parable in the context of escalating conflict with the religious establishment
• preceded by the questioning of the credentials of Jesus (11:27-33)
2. Jesus Highlights the Resources of God 1
• judgment parable about wicked vineyard keepers
• every provision for maximum fruitfulness
• imagery of Isaiah 5
3. Jesus Highlights the Revelation of God 2-8
• escalating violence leading to murder in the vineyard
• revelation through His servants and their treatment
• revelation through His Son and His treatment
4. Jesus Highlights the Goodness and Severity of God 9
• warning of Rom. 11:22
• the problem of receiving resources and rejecting revelation
5. Jesus Uses Scripture to Highlight His Certain Triumph 10-12
• rejected stone has become the chief corner stone (Psa. 118:22-23)
• the last question and the only answer
• pathetic picture of misplaced fear
6. So What?
• Because receiving God’s resources and rejecting His revelation results in inevitable judgment, rely completely on Jesus.
• Recognize the distinct contrast between sour grapes and saving grace.
• “You put your finger in the eye of God when you slight His Son.” (Spurgeon)
• “Jesus is the corner stone, came for sinners to atone; though rejected by His own, He became the corner stone. When I am by trial oppressed, on the stone I am at rest; when the seeds of truth are sown, He remains the corner stone…Till the breaking of the dawn, till all footsteps cease to roam; ever let the truth be known, Jesus is the corner stone.” (L. Goss, “Cornerstone”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 22, 2023
By What Authority?
Mark 11:27-33
1. Setting
• part of a section (11:27-13:2) focused on confrontation with the Jerusalem establishment
• contrast between the Jerusalem authorities and the Jerusalem crowd
2. A Question about Authorization 27-28
• continuing emphasis on “authority”
• these things: triumphal entry, fig tree cursing, temple cleansing
• by or who…?
3. A Calculated Response to Opponents 29-30
• counter-question of Jesus
• statement of condition
• reference to John’s baptism (1:1-11)
4. A Dilemma for the Religious Establishment 31-33
• dialogue about their response
• two problematic options
• confession of inability to decide
• the last word with Jesus
5. So What?
• In light of His assigned and exercised authority, eagerly and gladly submit to Jesus.
• “Obedience is the organ of spiritual knowledge.” (F. W. Robertson)
• Jesus always refuses to entertain or endorse hypocrisy.
• Actively promote Jesus as the sole focus of saving faith.
• “Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same; and He must win the battle.” (Luther, “A Mighty Fortress”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 15, 2023
Not in My House!
Mark 11:15-19
1. Background
• preceded by triumphal entry and fig-tree cursing
• issue of authority and second temple cleansing
• prophetic, priestly and kingly roles of Jesus
2. Intervention of Jesus 15-16
• driving out those desecrating the house of God (2 Chron. 7:1-3)
• flipped tables and halted traffic
• repudiation of “business as usual” (Ex. 30:11-16)
• confirmation that appearances can be deceiving
3. Intention of Jesus 17
• designed to be a house of prayer for the nations (Isa. 56:7)
• not a place of refuge for the rebel (Jer. 7:11)
• replacing besmirching with blessing and exploitation with evangelism
4. Alarm of Religious Establishment 18-19
• threatened leaders and astonished crowd
• authority challenged and confirmed (27-33, Zech. 14:21, Mal. 3:1-4)
5. So What?
• In light of God’s holiness, pursue purified worship which reflects His person and results in productivity for His glory.
• Consider the “temple” connection. (1 Cor. 3:16-17)
• the atmosphere of biblical worship: humble, prayerful and missional
• See prayer as a key indicator of your dependence on God.
• “Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring! Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever! Crown Him, Crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King!” (F. Crosby, “Praise Him! Praise Him!”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 8, 2023
He Went Away Sad
Mark 10:17-31
1. Context
• preceded by discussion of greatness and section on salty stewardship
• immediately preceded by receiving the kingdom like a child
2. Exchange with a Rich Young Ruler 17-22
• a question and a question
• character and commandments
• confession of conformity
• compassion and condition
• sad departure
3. Exchange with His Astonished Disciples 23-31
• kingdom of God emphasis
• caught in the eye of a needle
• question of possibility
• comfort for the committed
• a change of order
4. So What?
• Because King Jesus is the key to kingdom entrance, depend on Him like a little child.
• “I heard the voice of Jesus say, ‘Come unto Me and rest; Lay down, thou weary one, lay down your head upon My chest.’ I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad; and I found in Him a resting place, and He has made me glad.” (H. Bonar, “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 1, 2023
Salty Disciples
Mark 9:42-50
1. Background
• a redirection in the context of a discussion about greatness
• two key concepts: sensitivity and stewardship
2. A Responsibility to Grasp
• someone is watching you
• someone is listening to you
3. A Surgery to Perform
• what you do
• where you go
• what you see
• not physical mutilation but spiritual mortification
• what you think about hell
4. A Perspective to Adopt
• salt points to sacrifice
• fire points to persecution
5. So What?
• Because Jesus calls disciples to promote a thirst for Him, pursue the sacred stewardship of saltiness.
• Deal with sin radically.
• Dare to live sacrificially.
• “Go, then, earthly fame and treasure! Come, disaster, scorn, and pain! In Your service pain is pleasure, with Your favor loss is gain. I have called You Abba, Father; You my all in all shall be. Storms may howl, and clouds may gather, all must work for good to me.” (H. Lyte, “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 24, 2023
Unwashed Hands and Unclean Hearts
Mark 7:1-23
1. Background
• foretaste of confrontation in Jerusalem
• from actions to teachings: the issue of purity
• source of opposition: delegation from Jerusalem (3:22)
2. The Unwashed Hands Issue 1-8
• disciples caught “dirty handed”
• parenthetical commentary
• citation (Isa. 29:13) and identification (“hypocrites”)
3. A Scathing Rebuke 9-13
• problem: elevation of the external above the internal and human tradition above Scripture
• specific example: Exodus 20:12 and “Corban”
• circumventing biblical commands
4. The Unclean Hearts Issue 14-23
• root of uncleanness: internal/moral rather than external/ritual
• from the superficial to the substantive: food never enters a man’s heart
• the perennial problem: unclean hearts (Jer. 17:9, Prov. 4:23)
5. So What?
• Because a relationship with God hinges on the heart, aim for an internal sensitivity that produces an external consistency.
• Recognize the distinction between personal preference and biblical principle.
• “Legalism is always nailing a sign to the cross that says ‘necessary, but not enough.’” (J. MacGorman)
• Mind the gap! (Eph. 3:14-21)
• “Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love…Take my heart. It is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne…” (F. Havergal, “Take My Life, and Let It Be”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 6, 2023
But They Would Not Hear
Jeremiah 36:1-32
1. Background
• impending Babylonian conquest, 4th year of King Jehoiakim, 20+ years of Jeremiah’s ministry
2. Scroll Read to the Public 1-10
• take a scroll and write and Baruch the scribe
• scroll read on a fast day: repetition of motivation
3. Scroll Read to the Officials 11-19
• cabinet officials of the king
• Baruch reads and the officials tremble
• expression of concern for safety
4. Scroll Read to the King 20-26
• the scroll cut and thrown into the fire: absence of fear and expression of defiance
• contrast to his father, Josiah (2 Kings 22:11)
• concern justified
5. A Second Edition Scroll 27-32
• a second scroll with additional information
• a prophet unharmed, a king judged, the word confirmed
6. So What?
• Because God’s word endures forever, let its warnings lead you to Jesus.
• connection to Christ: Matt. 23:37-39, Col. 2:13-14
• “No one ever spoke more plainly of the penalties of sin than did Christ. The authoritative revelation of the consequences of wrongdoing is an integral part of the gospel.” (Maclaren)
• “Your word says I’m forgiven. Your covenant says You will always be with me. Though some may scoff and write me off, Your word will be the last word.” (T. Walker, “Your Word Will Be the Last Word”)
• The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isa. 40:8)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for July 9, 2023
Good News for Scattered Sheep
Jeremiah 23:1-8
1. Background
• “leaves” from the last years of Judah (21-26): a misruled and mistaught people
• contrast: scattering and gathering shepherds (Ezek. 34:31, John 10:11)
2. The Problem of Unattended Sheep 1-4
• the LORD’s attention to the inattentive
• identification of “shepherds”
• gathering of the remnant
3. The Promise of the Ultimate Shepherd 5-6
• messianic prophecy: raise up for David a Righteous Branch (33:14-16)
• salvation and security as a result of His administration (Isa. 52:13)
• His identity: The LORD is our righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30-31, Phil. 3:8-11)
4. The Perspective of an Updated Status 7-8
• significance of “As the LORD lives…”
• parting the Red Sea of political tape
• pointing to a greater exodus
5. So What?
• Assured that He gets all of His sheep safely home, rely on the LORD’S provision of the ultimate Shepherd.
• Consider the connection to Christ: Matt. 9:36, 1 Pet. 5:4, Heb. 13:20-21, Lk. 15:3-7
• “Scripture is composed with a specific purpose: to show the glory of God through the exaltation of Christ as He reconciles man to God.” (Smith)
• “Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, but yet in love He sought me, and on His shoulder gently laid, and home, rejoicing, brought me…And so through all the length of days Thy goodness faileth never; Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise within Thy house forever.” (Baker, “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for July 2, 2023
A Visit to the Potter’s House
Jeremiah 18:1-12
1. Background
• sin of Judah (17), Judah fit to be smashed (19), Jeremiah persecuted (20)
• vessel still in the making and appeal for repentance (18)
2. A Picture Supplied 1-4
• prophetic formula followed by a command
• ceramics and sovereignty (Gen. 2:7)
• as it seemed good to the potter…
3. A Principle Applied 5-10
• recognizing the limitations of analogy
• the LORD’S freedom to act with judgment and mercy without compromising His character
• when the LORD relents (Isa. 29:16; 64:8)
4. A Plan Devised and a Plea Denied 11-12
• warning of disaster preparation
• appeal to turn from evil
• blunt refusal: forsaking that which never fails
5. So What?
• Because the LORD is both sovereign and merciful, trust Him to bring wholeness out of your brokenness.
• “Have Thine own way, Lord. Have Thine own way. Thou art the potter. I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still.” (G. Stebbins, “Have Thine Own Way, Lord”)
• “This text is all about remaking-for better or worse…He is a craftsman and no plodding amateur; His touch has the boldness and resource of the true artist.” (D. Kidner)
• Repent and persevere!
