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Blind Beggar Turned Disciple
(Mark 10:46-52)
As they journeyed to Jerusalem where Jesus would face the events of the cross, he and the disciples passed through Jericho (46). On their way out of town, a crowd gathered around them. It was almost time for the Passover, and many priests lived in Jericho, so the road would have been packed with travelers and well-wishers. And there was a buzz surrounding this Galilean rabbi.
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A Lesson on Servanthood
(Mark 10:41-45)
On their way to Jerusalem, James and John make an ignorant request to Jesus, asking for the positions of highest honor in Jesus’ kingdom. After hearing of their special request, the ten were angry at James and John (41). They weren't angry at their insensitivity towards Jesus or their misplaced desire for honor. They were angry to have been undercut for the positions they also craved.
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The Kingdom, pt. 3: God Rewards Life There
(Mark 10:28-30)
In this third and final post on Mark 10:17-31, Peter thought about what he'd just witnessed. Jesus had challenged a wealthy young man to sell everything and follow him. The task was too tall, and the young man departed. The rich young ruler hadn't left everything, but Peter realized he and the other disciples had. And he felt he had to tell Jesus about it—*just saying, Jesus*.
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The Kingdom, pt. 2: You Cannot Enjoy It Without God's Help
(Mark 10:23-27)
In our previous post in Mark, we saw the rich young ruler leave Jesus because he loved his possessions. Once the man went away in sorrow, Jesus spoke to his disciples (23). He ruminated on the hindrance wealth can be, keeping someone from entering the kingdom (23, 25). He said it is difficult to enter the kingdom of God! (24). It's hard enough as it is, but wealth creates a whole other obstacle.
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The Kingdom, pt. 1: Jesus Must Be First
(Mark 10:17-22)
Our story begins with a man desperate for Jesus. The other gospels tell us he was a young local ruler (Matthew 19:20, Luke 18:18). Even though he had wealth and power, he felt something was missing. And he suspected Jesus had the answers. He was desperate for help, so he ran and knelt before the Lord (17). "Good teacher," he asked Jesus, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" (17).
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Kingdom Kids, pt.3: We Should Know The Kingdom Is Received With Childlike Faith
(Mark 10:15-16)
I've read and heard many (contradictory) interpretations of what Jesus meant. Scholars and pastors run wild with the child analogy Jesus used. I understand. Talking up children's innocence, spontaneity, eagerness, or joy is tempting. And children are incredible—gifts from God—but Jesus wasn't praising a virtue he saw in children. As someone once said, "There are two types of people in the world. Those who think mankind is essentially good at the core, and those who have a toddler."
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Kingdom Kids, pt.2: We Should Remember Childlike People Have The Kingdom
(Mark 10:14)
What does this mean? We must recall how the disciples felt about Jesus, the kingdom, and these children to answer this question. They thought he was the Messiah, meaning they thought he would pick up King David's reign and make Israel a super-nation. They thought the kingdom was Israel only, meaning they were hoping for an immediate and external reign of Christ. And they thought these children were small and insignificant—merely kids in need of others to care for them—not worthy of the glory of the kingdom.
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Kingdom Kids, pt.1 : We Should Help The Next Generation Get To Jesus
(Mark 10:13-14)
First, there are those who brought the children to Jesus. They were likely parents and older siblings, people who loved each child. They wanted this famous rabbi to bless the children, so they brought them to Jesus for a rabbinical touch of his hands.
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Garden Marriage: Applying God's Grace To It
(Mark 10:10-12)
Jesus' words were revolutionary because he put men and women on equal footing. But they are also stringent. In this concluding movement in the house, Jesus told his disciples that the one who departs, if they remarry another, has committed adultery. God put the original couple together. To him, they are still one, so a new marriage is adultery in his sight.
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Garden Marriage: The Gospel Restores It
(Mark 10:6-9)
There, in the garden, we discover God's original intention. It is something beautiful that the gospel of Jesus Christ and the constant ministry of the Holy Spirit can continually restore in any marriage that submits itself to Christ. (5 Minutes/1200 Words)
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