Loving Jesus

Mark 6:17-20

For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

This was the passage I studied with my sixth grade students today in Bible class. It is a passage that makes you stop and think. King Herod obviously saw and recognized something powerful about John's message. He hated his message enough to lock him up, yet was compelled to listen to him. As we talked about the story, my students asked how they can know they are saved. They looked scared.

It is a challenging place as a Bible teacher. I want them to know and understand assurance, but I would never want to give any type of false assurance. The Bible, and especially the New Testament is full of scriptures telling people to examine themselves to make sure they are "in the faith."

We talked about the marks of a believer. Mostly we talked about affections. I just finished a paper on Jonathan Edwards. His theology was deep and profound, yet simple. He is known (somewhat unfortunately) for his famous sermon on hell, but the majority of his preaching centered on the pleasures of God. He was consistently emphatic about the truth that even unbelievers can mentally grasp and believe God's truth in the gospel. He maintained the difference between unbelievers and believers was believers not only understood, but also loved and delighted in Jesus' gospel.

In tears, one girl told me she wanted to love Jesus more, but admitted she sometimes feels like she only believes because she is scared of hell. We talked about how her desire to love Jesus more showed that she already did love him and recognized there was lovliness she hadn't fully grasped.

It is challenging to walk the line between examining ourselves and having assurance with sixth graders. It is challenging walking the line as a twenty-nine year old.

The class ended and the students left my room. They had been gone for about thirty seconds when the young lady who had cried and shared her struggle with the class poked her head in the door and said, "Thanks, Mr. Bryant." It has happened enough that it shouldn't surprise me, but it always does. Kids, and I think many adults, want to hear the truth. They don't want to be told everything is okay when it isn't. They don't want a message that turns free grace into a cheap gospel. One of the most assuring parts of the lesson with the sixth graders was the softness of their hearts. Instead of being offended that they might need to take a look at their hearts and examine their faith, they welcomed the invitation to run to Jesus for mercy. I asked the class what they need to do of they recognize they don't love and trust Jesus. One boy responded, "repent and believe." The gospel is true. It is so simple. So simple that children love it and the sophisticated hate it. Only by God's grace will any of us love that kind of wisdom.

I got online tonight and found this clip by John Piper. I wish I had watched it last night. It is late. I am tired and not sure I'm making much sense, so I am going to let him end this post.