• Home
  • About Us
  • Bible Study
  • Media
  • Giving
  • Knowing God
  • Are You Ready?

Mark

Mark 10

Jesus Teaches about Marriage and Divorce
Jesus Blesses the Little Children
Jesus Speaks to the Rich Young Man
Jesus Predicts His Death
Jesus Teaches on Serving
Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar

Mark 10:1-12

The Pharisees were attempting to trap Jesus.  The law allowed for divorce, but as a last resort.  It was a grace of God granted because of our human weakness.  The stipulations were to protect the women from having her life ruined by a divorce.  But the Pharisees viewed marriage as a one-sided disposable covenant.  Marriage at that time in Judea wasn't a partnership of equals joined in matrimony.  A man could write a certificate of divorce for the most menial offense, but the woman had no right to divorce.  The Pharisees claimed divorce as a God ordained right. 

 

In asking this question, the Pharisees laid the trap; they figured Jesus would lose the support of either men or women, based on His answer.   But the lesson Jesus offered was not a focus on divorce as an option to ongoing marriage, but to return to the beginning and revisit the original principles of marriage. 

  • He made them male and female

  • A man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife

  • The two become one flesh

  • They are no longer two, but one.

  • They are not to be separated

To undo this, is to take the one cleave them into two partials, for if they were one, never to be parted, they could no longer become two.

 

Jesus further clarifies His view of marriage to the disciples.  There are those who are single and those who are married.  God does not recognize a group as divorced.  Whoever divorced for reasons other than sexual immorality (this detail comes from Mathew 19:9) and marries another commits adultery.  The law said the punishment for adultery was death.  Sin is serious business.  This is what discipleship in marriage looks like.

 

Mark 10:13-16

Jesus next offers a lesson on the disciple's view toward children.  A common practice of the day was for people to bring their children to the rabbis to receive their blessings.  People brought their children to Jesus for him to lay his hands on and bless.  But the disciples tried to prevent this; almost as if a child was to be seen and not heard.  The disciples probably saw the work of Jesus and His disciples as serious business with no time to mess with kids.  The 'rebuke' of the disciples was a strong word.  The same word used to cast out unclean spirits, the same word Peter used towards Jesus when He spoke of dying, the same word Jesus used toward Peter when He called him Satan.  The disciples were still being driven by cultural norms; the leaven of the Pharisees.

 

However, Jesus wasn't just indignant about this rebuke, but He was greatly indignant.  It was not their decision who came to Jesus and the little ones had a place in His kingdom.  He then added a principle for them to apply to discipleship.  They could learn from these children in how they came to Jesus.  As a little child they came:

  • They had nothing to bring; not credit to their name.
  • They had no power or sense of authority in the world.
  • They had no claim as if something were owed them.
  • What they received was by grace
  • They came needy
  • They came questioning but not doubting
  • They came in awe and reverence.

Those who didn't come to Jesus in a similar way wouldn't receive the kingdom of God.  We have to come empty handed, in spiritual poverty knowing only He can fill us.

 

Mark 10:17-22

Once again, in this passage, we see a lesson in the cost of discipleship.  Why was the rich young man sad when Jesus told him the answer to his question?  The man had riches in his youth but was still keenly aware that something was lacking in his life.  Maybe his riches weren't making him happy.  If that were so, living forever in discontent would be a curse.  No, something bigger was missing in this man's life and Jesus was trying to lead him there.  It may be with a little gray hair and the futility of life without Jesus this man may have realized his youth was slipping and his money did nothing for him.  We see examples of this constantly.

 

It doesn't matter how much wealth we might have, how much education, authority or anything else, we still have the penalty of death hanging over us.  This man had two obvious problems that were blocking his way to eternity:

  1. He thought he was a good person.  In his mind he had no need of forgiveness.  Jesus had no need to go to the cross for him as far as he knew.  He claimed to have kept all the commandments.  Until he came to the knowledge of his own spiritual poverty and understood his own unrighteousness could he ever seek the spiritual riches of Jesus and His righteousness.  It is in that righteousness we find eternal life. 
  2. This man loved his riches.  He had no need for discipleship.  He had youth and money and had all the religion he wanted.  He was happy with his life, he just wanted to hold onto it for eternity; he didn't want it to slip away as he aged or as he spent his money.  The man didn't want eternity with his maker, he wanted eternity with his favorite person and his favorite thing; himself and his money.

Like any of us might, the man had many reasons for not being able to give away his riches.  Each reason/excuse sounded valid to him, but how would it sound when this life ended?  The man was sad because he could not deny himself.  Jesus had already advised those who would truly follow him that they must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him.  Both of this man's problems, of which blocked him from eternity, were rooted in his inability to deny himself. 

 

Deep down, in the heart of many of us, we know we haven't denied our self, we are living our life, our way and we invite Jesus to come along.  But maybe we should ask our self, what part of our life have we denied?  Are we fooling our self as this man, or have we denied our self and taken up our cross?

 

Some might exempt themselves from this lesson saying they have no money to speak of, so Jesus wasn't talking to them.  Money wasn't the problem.  It was the love of money and self.  Anything could be substituted; anything we love more than Jesus, anything we refuse to relinquish to Jesus.  Like the little child, we come with nothing but total dependency on Him, empty handed.  The rich young ruler came with his hands full, life full and heart full of the lusts of the world; he wanted to add eternal life. 

 

"Why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is, God."  The man had knelt before Jesus with a seemingly earnest desire to be a disciple.  He had to make a decision in that instant.  If he truly believed Jesus was the One, he must lay it all down and follow him.  It's not a vow of poverty, it's to declare a trust and belief in Jesus as Lord of my life.  It's to say, "I love Jesus more than money, and I'm willing to give it all away."  

 

I saw at least one speculation that this rich young ruler was Mark in his younger days.  That's a fascinating thought that young Mark stood before Jesus, heard the truth and walked away sad.  Mark notes that Jesus looked at him and loved him.  This is a moment that man remembered.  He must have rejoiced when he wrote this, thinking of the day when he laid it all down, took up his cross and followed Jesus.

 

Mark 10:23-27

The rich young ruler walked away sad; at least for that moment, he walked away from the kingdom of God.  Then 'Jesus looked around'.  The idea of riches is relative.  No one thinks their rich; rich is what we hope to be, but no one thinks they have enough.  So as Jesus looked at the disciples, it was possibly a look conveying the idea that this lesson of discipleship was for them also.  This is proven out when He repeats how difficult it is for a rich man to enter God's kingdom.  The disciples were astonished. 

 

How odd this seems to us in our flesh.  It is the rich, the powerful, the well educated and influential that set the rules.  These are the folks that are respected because they drive expensive cars and golf at the country club.  If a person barely graduated high school, yet later pocketed millions from making a movie, suddenly what they think about politics is profoundly important. 
A man who can hit a ball with a wood stick suddenly becomes rich and his opinions carry weight.  We could go on and on, could we not?  Yet, Jesus said these things respected and revered in the world are meaningless at the gates of heaven.  We can imagine at death, the rich man saying, "Don't you know who I am?"  To which Christ might reply, "No, because you don't know who I am!"

 

Can a rich man enter heaven?  It's easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle.  Francis Chan said, "When Jesus said this, what he really meant was that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.  It is interesting how hard some have tried to twist this around to say something else.  Is it easier for a poor man?  Only that he isn't as self-sufficient; the poor man has known need and doesn't bear this pride that riches seem to instill.  But no man, rich or poor, of their own goodness can enter God's kingdom.  It's impossible.   

 

We are all rich!  If we trust in our riches, it is impossible to enter the kingdom.  The Jews thought riches were evidence of God's blessing so this was a shock to them also.  These verses are also offensive to the name it and claim it crowd.  Who can be saved?  Only those who trust in God for that salvation.  Only those who come to Jesus with that childlike heart. 

 

All things are possible with God – he will change your heart, your desires and joys.  He can offer you a new life with new priorities. 

 

Mark 10:28-31

The rich were seen as blessed by God; yet now we see it is impossible for them to enter the kingdom.  If the blessed can't enter, who can?  Peter steps forward as the spokesman for the apostles; saying 'we', he is speaking on behalf of all regarding the concern.  They were astonished in this revelation that it was impossible for this rich, young ruler to be saved.  Peter sets himself and the other disciples in contrast to this man.  They had left everything and followed Him; the unsaid question was, 'that surely should count for something, shouldn't it?'

 

It does account for something, but Jesus doesn't value the sacrifice as we do; he doesn't consider the monetary value of that given.  He is more concerned by that which is withheld.  This reveals the heart; all must be given over to Jesus.  Peter is still thinking in worldly and monetary values as blessings.  But to walk with Jesus is a different life, different values and economy.  All that was left would be restored a hundredfold in this new life of following Jesus.  In addition, you will also receive persecutions!  And then in the age to come, eternal life.  (note: the list of restored things compared to the list of things sacrificed reveals that wives and fathers are omitted.)

 

Many who are first will be last, and last will be first.  The kingdom of God doesn't operate by the same rules and measures they were used to using.  Peter and the others may have been thinking about how they had been on the road arguing over who was the greatest.  They now understand, they were arguing over who would be the least in God's kingdom.

 

Had this rich young man come humbled, knowing his sin and failure, seeking relief, seeking salvation with a willingness to abandon all to follow Jesus; we can see his life, works, wealth and being were all given over to the Lord.  He would no longer be a rich, young ruler but a child of God.  The value of the wealth in God's eyes was unimpressive; like-wise the value to the regenerated rich man was nothing.  The wealth became a ministry tool like so many others.

 

Anything that causes disciples to forget their poverty and childlikeness before God and that prevents them from following Jesus Christ—this, too, is a camel before the eye of a needle.[1]

 

Mark 10:32-45

In spite of just hearing of the pending betrayal, death and resurrection, John and James are still convinced Jesus is rising to power when they get to Jerusalem.  They see themselves sitting on the right and left of Jesus; prominent positions in His administration.  With their lips they say they want to exalt Jesus, with the heart they seek to exalt themselves along the way.  This is a trap any of us might be drawn in to.   Time probably seemed short as they approached Jerusalem, they boldly step forward and ask for this blank check from Jesus.  Jesus' answer is the same He will give blind Bartimaeus, "What do you want Me to do for you?"  The answers were vastly different.  Bart asked in faith for his sight to follow Jesus on the road.  He didn't care where Jesus was going, He would go because that's where Jesus was leading.  James and John stood in contrast in as they wanted fame, prominence and glory. 

 

Jesus tried to explain that they didn't understand what they were asking for.  The cup He was about to drink isn't consistent to the cup they envision.  But they quickly, boldly and foolishly proclaim that they are able with no understanding whatsoever.  Jesus confirmed, they would indeed suffer for Him. 

 

The indignation of the others was probably driven by their own selfish desires to have those seats.  But the seats weren't Jesus's to give, but the Fathers.  Once again, we see the disciples all focused on the flesh and things of this world as Jesus is headed to the cross.   They show no concern for Him, but only think of themselves. 

 

Jesus gathers them for a lesson of the two opposing kingdom that are influencing their lives. 

  • Worldly greatness; that of dominance over people and situation; to rule over land and armies.  It's having power and authority and maintaining that position.
  • Kingdom greatness; service – diakonos, one who waits on tables.  The greatest in the Kingdom loves their neighbor; this is played out in service to them.

Jesus puts forward this idea that what about to happen would be the greatest example of servant leadership ever displayed.  He was about to give up His very life for others.  He connects Himself to the prophecies of Isaiah regarding the suffering servant.  He would become a ransom for others; to buy them back from slavery, from bondage, from the enemy who legally owned them because of sin.

 

Matthew 10:46-52

Bartimaeus could teach us all a lesson.  When he heard it was Jesus approaching, he cried out to Him.  He called to the 'Son of David'.  This was a messianic title.  People were telling him to be quiet but he kept crying out until he got Jesus' attention.  Jesus didn't request silence regarding this messianic title, thereby acknowledging it was now time to come forward as the messiah.  Jesus had them call this (rather than call to the man Himself – interesting!).  This guy throws off his cloak, at first I'm reminded of throwing off the sin that entangles and binds us.  But also, this was probably throwing off all that he owned to run to Jesus. 

 

His faith made him well.  How cool is that?  This guy saw again (or maybe the first time) that day.  The first thing he saw was Jesus, light instead of darkness, blue skies and green grass, flowers, friends and family.  What an incredible moment this must have been.  Imagine the smile on his face.  Jesus told him to go his way; 'his way' was to follow Jesus.  His faith in messiah gave him sight.  This is completely opposite to the blind who would reject him as the cross drew near.

 

©2018 Doug Ford


[1] Edwards, J. R. (2002). The Gospel according to Mark (p. 314). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos.