Jesus the master teacher Mark chapter 10
Jesus is travelling from now on, from the north to the southern province of Judea (verse 1, verse 32, chapter 11 v1, and 11 v11), inexorably to reach Jerusalem where He would accomplish His final mission as the servant of God. He travelled along the eastern Jordan valley, which was an area of sparse population, He sought, not only the masses, but the villages and hamlets wherever people were. Nevertheless the crowds would follow Him even there. Wherever He was, there were also the Pharisees who tracked Him all the way, not because they followed Him but they saw Him as a threat to their position, and they tried to trap Him in His teachings. Wherever He went He was "wont" to teach the things of God (verse 1). He was the master teacher, He did not use long sermons, instead short sharp burst of living truth, and this is perfectly illustrated here. He made heavenly pronouncements on earthly situations using many different means. Deep spiritual truth was distilled from His lips, like the dew of heaven on the dry earth, bringing life and vitality and growth in every situation. He was bombarded with questions and whether from the elite Pharisees or clever lawyers or the common people or His own disciples He had a ready answer. Those answers were not always explained, for God's truth takes time to sink in, and time and space must be allowed to think on them, but they are recorded and precious for every generation. In this chapter He uses the method of paradox to elucidate the mind of God. A paradox is an apparent contradiction of two things placed together to enhance an important truth. In other parts He uses symbols, parables, miracles, types, and proverbs, elevating the metaphorical principles of language. It is often said that "a picture speaks a thousand words" and Jesus made full use of this. Difficult truths of God are best understood by the use of word pictures. According to the great biblical expositor Wiersbe, there are five paradoxes in this chapter, and an exhaustive study of the chapter will reveal that this outline cannot be bettered, so I have included it in the study. I will state them, then say a little word on each.
- Verses 1-12 Two shall be one
- Verses 13-16 Adults shall be children
- Verses 17-31 The First shall be Last
- Verses 32-45 Servants shall be rulers
- Verses 46-52 The Poor shall be Rich
Verses 1-12 Two shall be one "From the beginning it was not so."
The Pharisees were always asking "loaded" questions, not sincerely, always trying to trap Him in His words. "They came to Him and asked Him, "Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife, tempting Him....". Jesus was in the country of Herod Antipas, whose marital situation was anything but normal, and perhaps they were stirring debate that would put Jesus in a bad light. They had no interest in truth, just anything that would put their rivals in a bad light. We must be wary of such today. The question was at the very heart of family/social life and had to be answered. We cannot but marvel at His reply...."What did Moses command you...."? They were professed followers of Moses, they had perverted many of the laws with their own interpretations, but still they claimed adherence. Jesus' reply was classic, pointing out the bill of divorcement was granted because of hardness of heart, but God's original design was for a permanent relationship "..from the beginning it was not so". He quotes from Genesis 2, and who wrote this but Moses whom they were keen to quote/ Firstly He is demonstrating that unlike what they were slanderously reporting that He was teaching contrary to Moses, He ratified his words; secondly He exposes their false interpretation of Moses who established the principles of marriage, as instituted by God in the beginning. Any relaxation of one man/one woman for life was because of failure. This had been abused as they allowed divorce for almost any reason. God's creation order stands and divorce is not in the mind of God. This is further clarified by Paul in Ephesians 5vv 22-33 where the union of man and woman as husband and wife is to reflect the indivisible and eternal union of Christ and the church. God's creation order stands and the words of Jesus to that and every succeeding generation rings out "What therefore God has joined together let not man put asunder". No magistrate or judge has the right to annul any marriage and to marry another whilst the spouse is still alive constitutes adultery in the sight of God. Separation may be necessary in extreme cases, but there is no sanction from God for remarriage. Two as one for life is God's pattern for life, and if His will is paramount in two lives, the unity can be pleasant and the progeny blessed.
Verses 13-16 Adults to become children "...of such is the kingdom of God."
The natural sequence is obvious, first marriage, then children. It seems to have escaped the present thinking that the reason for a good marriage makes a secure and healthy home in which a child can prosper. The ideal family is described in Psalms 127-128. It is no coincidence that the breakdown of stable homes has contributed to the breakdown of society as a whole. Families brought their children to the Rabbis for a blessing. The disciples of Jesus, trying to protect their Master, rebuked them for bringing their children but this exposed a deep flaw in their attitude. It seems children were not important to them, but Jesus made it clear, something that needs to be proclaimed today that God loves children, that He will protect them, that any who abuse them will be severely punished that those who ignore them are arrogant and need to humbled themselves. Jesus is confronting attitudes in adults here and says "....of such is the kingdom of God." The kingdom of God is not about self importance, but about developing a childlike approach in humility and self-abnegation. "Forbid them not..." this is the second time in two chapters He has had to check ungracious behaviour in His disciples (see chapter 9v39).... He does not want ungraciousness and pride in His people, for they are contrary to the principles of the kingdom.
Jesus was "much displeased with them..." the word is indignant, extremely angry, and He rebuked them. Jesus reverses normal adult/children values and says adults need to become more like children. Little children are in view, not spoiled children, but those who do not argue, but accept simply what they are told, for they know very little and they are pleased to follow instructions. In the kingdom of God we are to be like children, we enter in that way and we are to continue the same. Little children are a pattern for Christian living in many ways; weak, humble, dependent on others, receptive to instructions, respectful to adults. This is the very essence of the kingdom and is to be our constant demeanour. Paul takes up the theme in 1st Corinthians 14 v20 where he gives the balance, that we are to be childlike, not childish..."Be not children in understanding, howbeit in malice be children, but in understanding be men".
Verses 17-31 The first shall be last "...in the world to come eternal life."
Heaven's estimate of things is not as in the present world. Values are turned upside down, and Jesus has come to tell us. This portion is the story of two questioners, one a self righteous man who loved his riches more than God, and another who had given up everything for God but was rather priding himself in his sacrifice. The answer of Jesus is interesting in both cases and presents much food for thought.
The first is a man (young as per Matthew 19 v20); successful ("..he had great possessions."); needy ("...he came running.."); courteous ( "..kneeled to Him.."); and unfulfilled ("..asked Him what must I do to inherit eternal life?"). Despite what we would call today as a role model of a man, financially independent, well mannered, yet it was not enough, there was something missing, he did not have assurance about the future. Despite all his life achievements, he had a very shallow view of things spiritual. His was a worldly view, typical of many today. He had a superficial view of the Saviour...he called Him "good master" or "good Rabbi". Jesus reminded him that only one was good, that is God and if I am good I must be more than a Rabbi. He had a superficial view of sin, because he reckoned he had kept all the law from his youth up. He had a superficial approach to salvation for he assumed he had to do something to achieve eternal life as a rightful inheritance.
Jesus response to him was first of all to love him. Jesus loves every sinner, and especially He has a special place for courteous people who confess they need His advice. There is something commendable in the eyes of God toward courteous admission of something lacking in their lives. Next He challenges him "..one thing is lacking, go thy way, sell that thou hast and give to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come take up the cross and follow me." God does not demand everyone to give up their riches but those who have made riches their god. The young man had, perhaps, kept the man ward aspect of the law but he had replaced love for God with love for riches. "He was sad at that saying", he was not prepared for that. Jesus turns to His disciples "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God." In the previous lesson only those humble as a child can enter, here only those who put God first in life can enter! This involves accepting and following Jesus in His earthly mission, even to the cross. It is difficult for the rich to be saved because it will almost certainly mean relinquishing their riches in line with the Sermon on the Mount that a man cannot serve God and Mammon. This astonished the disciples but Jesus assures them that "all things are possible with God." Many who are first in this life will be last in the next is the summing up of this section, and here is an example.
-45 Peter latches on to this to say the disciples as a group have left all to follow Him, perhaps smarting from the rebuke over the episode with the children. Jesus reply is to confirm that all who sacrifice anything will be compensated. No one will lose anything who have given for the kingdom. Houses, family, or lands given up for the sake of Christ will be returned an hundredfold. This word "hundredfold" is not merely 100 times the investment, but the greatest possible return (see Matthew 13 "some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, some an hundredfold"). With God the maximum possible return is infinite... scripture speaks of "the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory". He said, "..now in this time, houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions...". Any one who follows me will suffer, not only earthly loss but criticisms and antagonism. In the midst of personal sacrifice and loss there will be unlimited compensation in this life and in the next eternal benefit. However the Lord sounds a caution...."But many that are first shall be last and the last first". This goes to motive and we are counselled in scripture to do things for the right reasons, not to have an eye on the reward, but on the one who rewards. An example of this is in 1st Corinthians 13 v3 "Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and though I give my body to be burned and have not love it profiteth me nothing." An o/t example is Joab, the commander of David's armies, fiercely loyal to David, a brilliant military strategist who never lost a battle in the field, yet was omitted for reward and was not classed as one of the mighty men in the day of reward. The quality of the work is more important than the quantity and this is a solemn lesson. Paul made it clear that in the service of God, motive was everything "And if any man also strive for masteries yet is he not crowned except he strive lawfully.". It is this to which Jesus is referring, He is trying to counter the pride manifested by His disciples. He is reminding them of the need for humility, that if their service is based on a quest for reward, they may lose out, because there are first that shall be last and last first.
Verses 32-45 Servants shall be rulers "...whosoever shall be great among you shall be your servant." This cameo focuses on His journey to Jerusalem where He would suffer and die. This is reminiscent of the prophecy concerning the Servant of God that He would set His face like a flint (Isaiah 50 v7). His mind is fully set on the mission for which He came, and in these verses, for the third time in the gospel of Mark, He announces that "The Son of Man shall be delivered unto the chief priests and unto the scribes and they shall condemn Him to death and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles and they shall mock Him and shall scourge Him and shall spit upon Him, and shall kill Him, and the third day He shall rise again.". He describes His ordeal ahead as "the cup that He drank of"......and "the baptism that I am baptized with". The deluge of suffering about to fall was at the forefront of His mind and was the goal of His every move. Yet the focus of the disciples was elsewhere, they were thinking only of their position in the kingdom. Although this request by John and James was incredulous in the least, the others had been guilty of similar thoughts. What they asked for was to be placed at the highest pinnacle of power above all others...to sit one on the left hand and the other on the right hand in the glory. He was fixed on the cross, they were fixed on the crown! He repeats to them what they had failed to take in, that is the lesson of servitude before greatness, the suffering before the glory, the pathway to kingdom glory is by way of the cross. They were slow to learn it and so are we. His rebuke to them is not to follow the way of the Gentiles, who delight in exercising authority over their subjects. Rather the way up is the way down for disciples. In the supreme example of the Son of Man, who came to serve before He would reign, the sure pathway to glory is that of humble service. Those who serve will rule, the last in this life shall be first.
Verses 46-52 The poor shall be rich "Jesus thou Son of David.....and followed Jesus in the way." Having stated it is difficult to enter the kingdom of God if you are rich, in this final cameo He illustrates how the kingdom will be populated with the poor. "God has chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He has promised to them that love Him (James 2v5). The greater number of saints will be from among the poor of earth, there is a kind of poetic justice about that. In passing through Jericho, next stop Jerusalem, He stopped to heal two blind beggars (see also Matthew 20 v30). This is exactly why Jesus came into the world so He could appeal to all including the marginalised of society. In every generation there will be the poor (materially), as also today. These men were disadvantaged in life, they were blind and they were reduced to begging. However they could speak and they cried to Jesus, one was more vocal than the other and stopped Jesus in His tracks. The Saviour still hears the cry of faith and He responds. It is not immediately obvious the link between their poverty and ultimate riches in Jesus. The clue is in the cry of faith by blind Bartimaeus, twice over he cried "Thou Son of David". This repeated acknowledgment that Jesus was the Messiah (for that is the force of the "Son of David") was the key to endless and unlimited riches for this man for the Son of David ,according to the prophecy will rule the world (Psalm 89 v3; 72 v8; Isaiah 60 vv1-5). Disadvantaged in this life, poor in this life but endued with incalculable riches in Christ. He followed Jesus to Jerusalem, shared in His sufferings and will partake of His glory.
Verses 13-16 Adults to become children "...of such is the kingdom of God."
The natural sequence is obvious, first marriage, then children. It seems to have escaped the present thinking that the reason for a good marriage makes a secure and healthy home in which a child can prosper. The ideal family is described in Psalms 127-128. It is no coincidence that the breakdown of stable homes has contributed to the breakdown of society as a whole. Families brought their children to the Rabbis for a blessing. The disciples of Jesus, trying to protect their Master, rebuked them for bringing their children but this exposed a deep flaw in their attitude. It seems children were not important to them, but Jesus made it clear, something that needs to be proclaimed today that God loves children, that He will protect them, that any who abuse them will be severely punished that those who ignore them are arrogant and need to humbled themselves. Jesus is confronting attitudes in adults here and says "....of such is the kingdom of God." The kingdom of God is not about self importance, but about developing a childlike approach in humility and self-abnegation. "Forbid them not..." this is the second time in two chapters He has had to check ungracious behaviour in His disciples (see chapter 9v39).... He does not want ungraciousness and pride in His people, for they are contrary to the principles of the kingdom.
Jesus was "much displeased with them..." the word is indignant, extremely angry, and He rebuked them. Jesus reverses normal adult/children values and says adults need to become more like children. Little children are in view, not spoiled children, but those who do not argue, but accept simply what they are told, for they know very little and they are pleased to follow instructions. In the kingdom of God we are to be like children, we enter in that way and we are to continue the same. Little children are a pattern for Christian living in many ways; weak, humble, dependent on others, receptive to instructions, respectful to adults. This is the very essence of the kingdom and is to be our constant demeanour. Paul takes up the theme in 1st Corinthians 14 v20 where he gives the balance, that we are to be childlike, not childish..."Be not children in understanding, howbeit in malice be children, but in understanding be men".
Verses 17-31 The first shall be last "...in the world to come eternal life."
Heaven's estimate of things is not as in the present world. Values are turned upside down, and Jesus has come to tell us. This portion is the story of two questioners, one a self righteous man who loved his riches more than God, and another who had given up everything for God but was rather priding himself in his sacrifice. The answer of Jesus is interesting in both cases and presents much food for thought.
The first is a man (young as per Matthew 19 v20); successful ("..he had great possessions."); needy ("...he came running.."); courteous ( "..kneeled to Him.."); and unfulfilled ("..asked Him what must I do to inherit eternal life?"). Despite what we would call today as a role model of a man, financially independent, well mannered, yet it was not enough, there was something missing, he did not have assurance about the future. Despite all his life achievements, he had a very shallow view of things spiritual. His was a worldly view, typical of many today. He had a superficial view of the Saviour...he called Him "good master" or "good Rabbi". Jesus reminded him that only one was good, that is God and if I am good I must be more than a Rabbi. He had a superficial view of sin, because he reckoned he had kept all the law from his youth up. He had a superficial approach to salvation for he assumed he had to do something to achieve eternal life as a rightful inheritance.
Jesus response to him was first of all to love him. Jesus loves every sinner, and especially He has a special place for courteous people who confess they need His advice. There is something commendable in the eyes of God toward courteous admission of something lacking in their lives. Next He challenges him "..one thing is lacking, go thy way, sell that thou hast and give to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come take up the cross and follow me." God does not demand everyone to give up their riches but those who have made riches their god. The young man had, perhaps, kept the man ward aspect of the law but he had replaced love for God with love for riches. "He was sad at that saying", he was not prepared for that. Jesus turns to His disciples "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God." In the previous lesson only those humble as a child can enter, here only those who put God first in life can enter! This involves accepting and following Jesus in His earthly mission, even to the cross. It is difficult for the rich to be saved because it will almost certainly mean relinquishing their riches in line with the Sermon on the Mount that a man cannot serve God and Mammon. This astonished the disciples but Jesus assures them that "all things are possible with God." Many who are first in this life will be last in the next is the summing up of this section, and here is an example.
-45 Peter latches on to this to say the disciples as a group have left all to follow Him, perhaps smarting from the rebuke over the episode with the children. Jesus reply is to confirm that all who sacrifice anything will be compensated. No one will lose anything who have given for the kingdom. Houses, family, or lands given up for the sake of Christ will be returned an hundredfold. This word "hundredfold" is not merely 100 times the investment, but the greatest possible return (see Matthew 13 "some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, some an hundredfold"). With God the maximum possible return is infinite... scripture speaks of "the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory". He said, "..now in this time, houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions...". Any one who follows me will suffer, not only earthly loss but criticisms and antagonism. In the midst of personal sacrifice and loss there will be unlimited compensation in this life and in the next eternal benefit. However the Lord sounds a caution...."But many that are first shall be last and the last first". This goes to motive and we are counselled in scripture to do things for the right reasons, not to have an eye on the reward, but on the one who rewards. An example of this is in 1st Corinthians 13 v3 "Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and though I give my body to be burned and have not love it profiteth me nothing." An o/t example is Joab, the commander of David's armies, fiercely loyal to David, a brilliant military strategist who never lost a battle in the field, yet was omitted for reward and was not classed as one of the mighty men in the day of reward. The quality of the work is more important than the quantity and this is a solemn lesson. Paul made it clear that in the service of God, motive was everything "And if any man also strive for masteries yet is he not crowned except he strive lawfully.". It is this to which Jesus is referring, He is trying to counter the pride manifested by His disciples. He is reminding them of the need for humility, that if their service is based on a quest for reward, they may lose out, because there are first that shall be last and last first.
Verses 32-45 Servants shall be rulers "...whosoever shall be great among you shall be your servant." This cameo focuses on His journey to Jerusalem where He would suffer and die. This is reminiscent of the prophecy concerning the Servant of God that He would set His face like a flint (Isaiah 50 v7). His mind is fully set on the mission for which He came, and in these verses, for the third time in the gospel of Mark, He announces that "The Son of Man shall be delivered unto the chief priests and unto the scribes and they shall condemn Him to death and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles and they shall mock Him and shall scourge Him and shall spit upon Him, and shall kill Him, and the third day He shall rise again.". He describes His ordeal ahead as "the cup that He drank of"......and "the baptism that I am baptized with". The deluge of suffering about to fall was at the forefront of His mind and was the goal of His every move. Yet the focus of the disciples was elsewhere, they were thinking only of their position in the kingdom. Although this request by John and James was incredulous in the least, the others had been guilty of similar thoughts. What they asked for was to be placed at the highest pinnacle of power above all others...to sit one on the left hand and the other on the right hand in the glory. He was fixed on the cross, they were fixed on the crown! He repeats to them what they had failed to take in, that is the lesson of servitude before greatness, the suffering before the glory, the pathway to kingdom glory is by way of the cross. They were slow to learn it and so are we. His rebuke to them is not to follow the way of the Gentiles, who delight in exercising authority over their subjects. Rather the way up is the way down for disciples. In the supreme example of the Son of Man, who came to serve before He would reign, the sure pathway to glory is that of humble service. Those who serve will rule, the last in this life shall be first.
Verses 46-52 The poor shall be rich "Jesus thou Son of David.....and followed Jesus in the way." Having stated it is difficult to enter the kingdom of God if you are rich, in this final cameo He illustrates how the kingdom will be populated with the poor. "God has chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He has promised to them that love Him (James 2v5). The greater number of saints will be from among the poor of earth, there is a kind of poetic justice about that. In passing through Jericho, next stop Jerusalem, He stopped to heal two blind beggars (see also Matthew 20 v30). This is exactly why Jesus came into the world so He could appeal to all including the marginalised of society. In every generation there will be the poor (materially), as also today. These men were disadvantaged in life, they were blind and they were reduced to begging. However they could speak and they cried to Jesus, one was more vocal than the other and stopped Jesus in His tracks. The Saviour still hears the cry of faith and He responds. It is not immediately obvious the link between their poverty and ultimate riches in Jesus. The clue is in the cry of faith by blind Bartimaeus, twice over he cried "Thou Son of David". This repeated acknowledgment that Jesus was the Messiah (for that is the force of the "Son of David") was the key to endless and unlimited riches for this man for the Son of David ,according to the prophecy will rule the world (Psalm 89 v3; 72 v8; Isaiah 60 vv1-5). Disadvantaged in this life, poor in this life but endued with incalculable riches in Christ. He followed Jesus to Jerusalem, shared in His sufferings and will partake of His glory.
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