Expository Thoughts On Mark - Mark 11:27-33
J.C. Ryle warns believers against spiritual blindness in religious leaders and urges reliance solely on Christ as the infallible High Priest.
In this expository sermon on Mark 11:27-33, J.C. Ryle exposes the spiritual blindness of the Jewish religious leaders who opposed Jesus and cautions believers against placing undue trust in human ministers. He emphasizes that only Christ is the perfect and infallible High Priest, urging Christians to test all teachings by Scripture and to rely fully on Jesus alone. This sermon challenges the church to recognize the limitations of human authority and to embrace Christ’s unique role as the true spiritual leader.
Text
Let us observe in these verses how much spiritual blindness may be in the hearts of those who hold high ecclesiastical office. We see "the chief priests and scribes and elders" coming to our Lord Jesus, and raising difficulties and objections in the way of His work.
These men, we know, were the accredited teachers and rulers of the Jewish Church. They were regarded by the Jews as the fountain and spring-head of religious knowledge. They were, most of them, regularly ordained to the position they held, and could trace their orders by regular descent from Aaron. And yet we find these very men, at the time when they ought to have been instructors of others, full of prejudice against the truth, and bitter enemies of the Messiah!
These things are written to show Christians that they must beware of depending too much on ordained men. They must not look up to ministers as Popes, or regard them as infallible. The orders of no church confer infallibility, whether they be Episcopal, Presbyterian, or Independent. Bishops, priests, and deacons, at their best, are only flesh and blood, and may err, both in doctrine and practice, as well as the chief priests and elders of the Jews. Their acts and teaching must always be tested by the word of God. They must be followed so far as they follow Scripture, and no further. There is only one Priest and Bishops of souls, who makes no mistakes. That one is the Lord Jesus Christ. In Him alone is no weakness, no failure, no shadow of infirmity. Let us learn to lean more entirely on Him. Let us "call no man father on earth," (Matt. 23:9.) So doing, we shall never be disappointed.
Let us observe, in the second place, how envy and unbelief make men throw discredit on the commission of those who work for God. These chief priests and elders could not deny the reality of our Lord\
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Spiritual blindness in religious leaders
- Chief priests and elders oppose Jesus
- High ecclesiastical office does not guarantee truth
-
II
- Danger of over-reliance on ordained ministers
- Church orders do not confer infallibility
- Ministers must be tested by Scripture
-
III
- Christ alone is the perfect High Priest
- Jesus is infallible and without weakness
- Believers should lean entirely on Christ
-
IV
- Envy and unbelief discredit God’s workers
- Religious leaders’ prejudice against Jesus
- Call no man father on earth
Key Quotes
“There is only one Priest and Bishops of souls, who makes no mistakes. That one is the Lord Jesus Christ.” — J.C. Ryle
“Bishops, priests, and deacons, at their best, are only flesh and blood, and may err, both in doctrine and practice.” — J.C. Ryle
“Let us learn to lean more entirely on Him. Let us 'call no man father on earth,' (Matt. 23:9.) So doing, we shall never be disappointed.” — J.C. Ryle
Application Points
- Test all religious teachings against the Bible rather than blindly following church leaders.
- Place your full trust and reliance on Jesus Christ as the only perfect High Priest.
- Avoid elevating any human minister to a position of infallible spiritual authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main warning in this sermon?
The sermon warns against spiritual blindness in religious leaders and the danger of depending too much on human ministers instead of Christ.
Why does J.C. Ryle caution against looking up to ministers as infallible?
Because ministers are human and fallible, and their teachings must always be tested against Scripture.
Who is the only infallible High Priest according to the sermon?
Jesus Christ is the only Priest and Bishop of souls who is without weakness or failure.
What does 'call no man father on earth' mean in this context?
It means believers should not place ultimate spiritual authority in any human leader but should rely solely on Christ.
How should Christians respond to religious leaders’ opposition to Christ?
Christians should be discerning, test teachings by Scripture, and maintain faith in Jesus despite opposition.