The Crowd and the Called | Mark 3:7-19
Have you ever heard of the phrase, “so close but so far away?” This phrase is an expression that describes an outcome that was very close to happening or was within grasp but did not happen or the opportunity was not seized, and it now feels like it was never really close to happening at all. It describes the difference between winning and losing. Football is a game of inches: It’s like needing 1 more inch to get a touchdown on a fourth down at the end of the game to win. You are so close to winning, but so far away. It is like the difference between first class and coach: you are sitting at the front of coach on an airplane, there is a thin curtain, but you see all those people in first class having such a great time, and you are so close but so far away. It’s like trying to get a pass for a new ride at Disney on the app. You get on at 6:59am and you keep hitting the button right at 7:00am but you miss it and everyone else gets a pass but you. You go to the park, walk by the attraction, but you can’t get on because you don’t have a pass. You are so close but so far away.
Mark has intentionally famed and structured his gospel around themes in the life of Jesus. Scholars have reviewed his work as being literary genius. There is now a shifting theme from the challenges of the religious establishment to Jesus’ church planting and disciple-making strategy. The new theme asks this important question, “How do you know if I am inside or outside of God’s Kingdom?” Is it based on my moral behavior, family background, personal ability, theological education, proximity to Jesus or something else? Jesus is going to teach us that there is a difference between the crowds around Him and those whom He has called to follow Him. What makes you a part of God’s Kingdom is not how “close” you think you are to Jesus, but His personal call on your life and your response to it.