Finish Mark Chapter Eight Verses 34-38:
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-38 (NIV)
Mark Chapters Nine and Ten
Chapter Nine
The Transfiguration
Jesus begins this section of Scripture by stating a certain Truth: Some that were standing there would not taste death before they saw the Kingdom of God come with power. He is referring here to Peter, James and John who are getting ready to see “the Kingdom of God come with power” on the Mount of Transfiguration. The specific time reference in the following account of Jesus’ transfiguration indicates that Mark understood a definite connection between Jesus’ prediction and this event. Jesus’ transfiguration was a striking preview and guarantee of His future coming in glory. Later Peter would write:
16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 2 Peter 1:16-18 (NIV)
Six days after Jesus states this, He takes His inner circle up on a high mountain (perhaps Mount Hermon or Mount Tabor) where, Scripture tells us, they were all alone. There He was transfigured before them His clothes becoming dazzling white – whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. Glory! Holiness! Purity! He was changed before their eyes and it was a radical transformation revealing His true essence in an outward visible manifestation. Jesus, despite prior having the outward appearance of a mere mortal man, now is seen by His guys Peter, James and John as “the fullness of the Deity in bodily form”; The One “Who did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing”; this Jesus of Nazareth was and is in His nature and essence very God of very God. The transfiguration was something of a “preview of coming attractions” if you will.
While His glory is being displayed in all its brilliance, Elijah and Moses appear talking to Jesus. What a scene this must have been for human eyes. Luke tells us they were speaking of His upcoming “death” which in the Greek text translates “exodus”. Similar to Moses, Jesus would lead the people of God out of their bondage to sin in a new “exodus” through His death (a new Passover) and resurrection, and He would constitute a new people called the church. Elijah and Moses represent the Law and the Prophets – both great deliverers that pointed to the Messiah.
Out of fear, Peter speaks. Doesn’t fear so often seem to make us do and say the silliest things? In verses five through eight it is only Peter and God talking. I am reminded of the Truth stated in Habakkuk and Proverbs:
20 “But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” Habakkuk 2:20 (NIV)
19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Proverbs 10:19 (NIV)
Peter is totally digging where he is at!! He is enjoying the view (so to speak) of the splendor and radiance of Jesus and he doesn’t want to come off that mountain! Indeed, he suggests that they put up three shelters – one for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. Scripture states He was fearful and did not know what to say. I guess keeping his mouth closed wasn’t one of his options!
We are told that then a cloud comes down and envelops them and a powerful voice came from the cloud with authority and words that thundered, pregnant with meaning:
7 “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Mark 9:7 (NIV)
This is God’s beloved, one-of-a-kind Son. We are to listen to Him and only to Him. Matthew states that Peter, James and John fell face down – terrified (no doubt!) But sweet Jesus comes and touches them telling them to get up and not to be afraid. When they looked up it was only Jesus – it is always only Jesus is it not? As Anne Graham Lott states: “Just give me Jesus”.
His guys, as do we, needed a divine perspective. Peter would have been happy as a lark to have stayed on that mountaintop but Jesus knew that to forgo the cross would be to forgo the crown. The cross always precedes the crown. Leave out the cross, and there is no atonement. Leave out the resurrection, and there is no victory over sin. In sinful weakness flesh would avoid the cross at all costs – indeed, it is the natural propensity of man – we would stay on the mountain and make ourselves comfortable and be forever lost. In contrast, Jesus will embrace the cross, ascend Calvary’s hill, and drink dry the cup of suffering filled with the wrath of God. All for me and all for you.
God tells us we are to give Jesus our ears. Have eyes only for Him. He can give you what neither Moses (Law) and Elijah (Prophets) could ever give. This was God’s perspective on the matter. What Jesus just experienced did not weaken His resolve to go to Calvary. It emboldened Him to go and drink the last drop of the cup of divine wrath in the place of unworthy and helpless sinners like me and you. Don’t you know He must have enjoyed having His inner circle see Him in all His glory?
“The Son of God became man that the children of men might become children of God.” Martyn Lloyd Jones
Jesus Christ is the hero of the Bible – God in a body, the Savior of sinners, the final sacrifice, and the glory of God made flesh. He took the three disciples up a mountain for a glimpse of His glory. He wants to take you and me up to heaven to glory forever.
Jesus warns His guys not to speak of the incident until He had risen from the dead. This is our Lord’s last command to silence and the only one that receives a time limitation. After the resurrection, proclamation of this marvelous event will be the order of the day! Jesus tells His guys that the Son of Man will suffer, be treated with contempt, be killed, and then rise from the dead. Like John the Baptist (the Elijah of that day), they will do the same with Jesus. John the Baptist fulfilled his assignment given to him by God, and so would our Lord. Might we not also desire to trust Him to enable us to do likewise?
The Healing Of A Boy With An Evil Spirit
Mountaintop experiences are wonderful, and we need them from time to time for spiritual nourishment and the recharging of our spiritual batteries. However, God never intended for us to stay there. We are not to put up our mailboxes so to speak no matter how glorious and marvelous it may be! He wants us “down here” preaching the Gospel to and ministering among the hurting and the suffering, the helpless and the hopeless. He wants us living with and serving real people devastated by the ravages of the fall and of sin. As His agents of redemptive love, we go in His Name and with the promise of His presence and the power of His Spirit.
When Jesus and His guys got down from the mountain they discovered the other disciples arguing with the teachers of the Law and the scribes. Further, there was a demon-possessed child His disciples were unable to help. No doubt the scribes were mocking the disciples over their failure to heal the boy. After all, the messenger of the man is as the man himself. Thus, their failure reflected badly not only on them but also on Jesus.
We never sin in a vacuum. We hurt ourselves, we hurt those we love, we hurt the Gospel, and we hurt the reputation of Christ! When this happens we do not need to look to ourselves but to Christ! Criticized by our detractors for our failures, we must point them to Christ, the One Who does not fail – ever!
The father of the demon possessed boy approaches Jesus as “Teacher” and informed Him that his son had a demonic spirit which made him mute. It caused violent seizures, and he had been like that since childhood. It regularly tried to destroy him. Thus he came to Jesus’s disciples but they were not able to help him. What we learn here is that we are incapable in our own strength to do anything eternal especially against the super-natural powers of the demonic world. Also, any spiritual victories that they or we may have accomplished through Christ’s power in the past are not a guarantee that they or we would be victorious today particularly when we operate with faith in ourselves, rather than in Christ. We can do nothing eternal apart from Him. We must always go forth in the will of God and the power of Jesus in all spiritual battles we face.
Jesus gives a stern rebuke to His disciples. First He calls them a “faithless generation” expressing His exasperation and weariness, vividly capturing the pressures and frustrations of Christ’s life in these verses. Whenever the disciples are separated from Jesus, they seem to get in trouble and experience a crisis. Take note here! What a valuable lesson for us to learn as well – we never advance beyond our need for Jesus and we never advance beyond our need for faith either. Hebrews tells us:
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
The key is not the depth of our faith but rather the direction of our faith. What is important is not the potency of our faith but the Person of our faith. A little faith in our great Savior gets amazing results.
The torture of this boy had gone on since childhood and had occasionally been nearly fatal for this poor soul. Out of sheer desperation this child’s father turns to the only possible source of hope and help: Jesus. Good choice!
“Bring the boy to me” the Master says. What sweet words these must have been to the child’s father’s ears. That is exactly what every parent needs to be about doing – bringing their children to Jesus.
The demon throws the boy into a convulsion as soon as he saw Jesus on the scene – almost like an “in your face” kind of thing. The boy falls to the ground rolling around and foaming at the mouth. Jesus asks how long he had been that way and the father states from childhood and that it had often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. Satan’s end goal is always death. He begs Jesus for pity:
22 “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Mark 9:22 (NIV)
“If you can?” said Jesus – everything is possible to the one who believes. Divine ability is not the problem – human unbelief is.
Read: Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening – September 23 page 535 (2)
The father responds: “I do believe! Help my unbelief.” You have got to love his honesty and humility. He was effectively saying: “I know my faith is weak, partial, incomplete. Still, I trust You, Jesus, and only You. If you do not deliver my son, then he will not be delivered. Help me in spite of me!”
All the commotion brought the crowds and Jesus banishes the demon and places a “No Trespassing” sign over the boy’s soul. The demon had no choice except to obey but as he leaves he disgustingly convulsed the boy yet again – “violently” this time. The boy collapsed like a corpse and most thought he was dead. However, Jesus took him by the hand – quite literally “raised him, and he was resurrected.” Jesus’ end goal is always life. Satanic powers bring death, but divine power brings resurrection life.
What we should learn from the disciples is presumptuous self-sufficiency may be viewed as a great strength by the world, but it is a deadly foe to our spiritual lives. When we go forth in our own strength, failure is not too far behind. The disciples failed big time. It was public, brought ridicule, cast doubt on their Master and mission, and filled them with self-doubt. When they asked, “Why couldn’t we drive the demon out?” their question demonstrated a sense of confidence in their own strengths and abilities. It suggested a spirit of pride rooted in past accomplishments that they believed should have been sufficient for the encounter. Basically they were saying, “We did it before and we will do it again. But it didn’t work this time. Why?” Failure leads them to question themselves and that is always a good thing.
Jesus basically tells them that whenever we take to the spiritual battlefield, if we go in our own strength, pride, and self-sufficiency, we have lost the battle before it even begins. There is nothing that we can do without the power of God. All true strength comes from “the Mighty One of Jacob.” It is faith that bridges the gap between divine omnipotence and human weakness, and that faith is experienced and exercised through prayer.
Read: Greg Laurie – The Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever (3)
The power of prayer is obviously not going to be experienced if we don’t pray. Tim Keller observes that “the prayer of this father is characterized by honesty, helplessness, hopefulness, specificity, and passion.” These character traits of believing prayer can be summed up in one word: humility. It all depends on Jesus. If He acts, I’m delivered; if He doesn’t, I am lost.
Who Is The Greatest
“The Gospel frees us from our addiction to ourselves.” Tony Merida
Before Christ came to set us free, we are like crack addicts addicted to ourselves. We are not interested in serving as much as in being served, in giving as much as in receiving, in pursuing God’s way as much as in getting our own way, in being the least as much as in being the greatest. And we are certain the way to greatness is not by an obedience that leads to death, being last and servant of all, having others getting to do what we can’t, and pursuing a life of serious suffering. Yet this is exactly what Jesus says as He lays before us the road to true greatness, greatness as defined by God! Jesus died to free us from such slavery. He died to free us to serve and to walk a road of true greatness, the road He himself walked as He “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” It is the greatest road and it is the road to life.
The road to greatness is paved with four important truths, all of which begin in our mind and lead to concrete action:
Obedience to the Will of God (1) – God purposefully killed His Son in order that He might not kill us! The way to the crown is by the way of the cross. Salvation is ours by His suffering – YET, the disciples did not understand this. They missed it. A dying Messiah was not in their worldview. A crucified Christ was not in their theology. The Suffering Servant did not fit into their preconceived thinking of how God does things. They did not understand and they were afraid to ask Him even though He is totally approachable. When Jesus speaks, we need to listen. And when we know God’s will for our lives, like Jesus we are to obey. God’s will is always good and pleasing and perfect though often extremely difficult. Obedience to the will of God marks the road to true greatness.
Service To Others (2) – Jesus taught His guys about self-denial, dying to self and losing their lives for Christ and the Gospel. Yet in spite of all this, they continue to aspire to be sovereigns and not servants. They remain deaf to what He has said about the road to true greatness. As missionary David Brainerd stated: “It is sweet to be nothing and less than nothing that Christ may be all in all.” Jesus asks His guys what they were arguing about on the way and they remained mute because they were arguing about who was the greatest. So human nature – right? Jesus starts out by telling them if anyone wants to be first he must be the very last and the servant of all. Matters of rank and recognition were important to the Jews of Jesus’ day (just as they are in our day!). The nature of man and the times have not changed all that much. Pride and rank arise even among the people who follow after the lowly Jesus.
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)
6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 (NIV)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
“Humble yourself, and cease to care what men think.” A. W. Tozer
We Must Overcome The Desires For Position (3) – With a heart of pride comes a desire for position and standing. Jesus, in grace and tenderness, gives the Twelve a simple proverbial maxim: “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
Jesus does not repudiate greatness, He redefines it. Be great in the things that matter to God not man. Jesus tells us we will find real and lasting happiness (joy) when we serve – not because we have to but because we get to and want to. Learn to love to serve and you will always be a happy person.
We Must Overcome The Desires For Prominence (4) – Jesus illustrates what it means to be a servant of all: He took a child and had him stand among them. However, He does not stop there but picks him up and takes him in His arms. This would have been unusual. The ancients, with high infant mortality rates, did not exalt the merits of children as so many modern cultures. A little child was an excellent example of the last or the least. Further, he goes on to effectively say: “Treat well those who have no standing in this world and you will receive an audience with My Father!” How do we treat those who can do nothing for us? It matters.
Read: How It Feels To Be Held By God – Kristen Welch Page 92 – A Moment To Breathe (4)
Jesus points to the way of true greatness: Die to self, serve others, care for those no one else cares for. Receive them in Jesus’ name, and you receive Jesus - and His Father too! The way up is down. The way to get is to give. The way to be first is to be last. This is the way of Jesus. This is the way to true greatness.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV)
Whoever Is Not Against Us Is For Us
In this section of Scripture, John came across someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name and the disciples did not know him. He was obviously not part of their “in group” so they tried to stop him because he was not following them or “one of us”! He tattles to Jesus and did not get the response he expected – one of affirmation and approval. He was sadly mistaken when Jesus responds with a strong command, “Don’t stop him.” On the contrary you stop what you are doing! Why? First, anyone doing these things in My name does so by the power of God. It is an evidence of My call on his life. Do not try to hinder him. Help him. Don’t try to restrain him. Rejoice in and with him. Second, “For whoever is not against us is for us”. The Apostle Paul got this when he wrote:
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice. Philippians 1:15-18 (NIV)
Against us/for us leaves no room for neutrality. The one who serves Jesus will be rewarded by Jesus. Indeed, Jesus states: “I tell you the truth” (meaning I assure you) - he who serves Me and shows his allegiance to Me by serving My servants will never lose his reward. I see and reward the smallest and humblest acts of service done to others in My name.
Service to others frees us. It gets our eyes off of self and onto those who need the same Christ we need. It is one beggar showing another beggar where to get Bread.
Causing To Sin
Mark 9:42-50 are a source of great interest. They put front and center the cost and serious nature of radical discipleship. Our Lord had the strongest possible view of judgment and hell; it is real and it lasts forever. In this context it serves as a warning and a motivation to follow Jesus in devotion and discipleship. Jesus is probably still talking to John and the issue is still pride. God’s wrath is great against pride because it does so much harm. If we do not rid ourselves of the sin that took both Satan and Adam down, we will be a stumbling block to others, and God will hold us accountable.
A saving faith is a fighting faith. It will engage in the battle against sin with deadly seriousness. Out of gratitude for the new life we have been given in Christ and the “kingdom of God” we now belong to, we are to pursue a holy agenda with both passion and discipline.
Jesus uses three powerful hyperboles – not to be taken literally of course – rather to be taken seriously. Things we value greatly should not stand in the way of our eternal life. Eyes, hands, and feet are all inclusive of what we see, what we do, and where we go. As important as they are, better to lose them than to let them prevent us from entering eternal life and God’s kingdom.
Evil actions come from a heart that rejoices in sin rather than in Christ.
“Very little, if any, sin comes out of your heart that didn’t first enter through your eyes.” Sam Storms
What our Lord was advocating was not a literal physical self-maiming, but a ruthless moral self-denial. Not mutilation but mortification is the path of holiness He taught. Be killing sin or it will be killing you.
Jesus said more about hell than anyone else in the Bible. It is the place of eternal punishment. The Greek word “Gehenna” comes from the Hebrew word “ge-hinnom” meaning “Valley of Hinnom”, a valley south of Jerusalem where Kings Ahaz and Manasseh offered child sacrifices to the pagan god Molech. Declared unclean by King Josiah, it became the place to burn refuse and to dispose of corpses. The prophets proclaimed oracles of doom on it, and “ge-hinnom” became a symbol of final judgment. It is a place of unquenchable fire, a lake of fire and brimstone, an eternal fire, a furnace of fire, an outer darkness, an eternal punishment, a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. Only God has power to cast both body and soul into hell and He does not desire it for anyone. Hell is our own choice – not God’s.
Next the Lord Jesus affirms that “everyone will be salted with fire”. Salt is a preservative. Thus all will be “salted with fire” in a manner consistent with their relationship to Christ. For unbelievers, it will be the perpetual fires of final judgment in hell. For the disciple it will be the preserving and refining fires of trials and suffering that mark the road to true greatness. Also, for the believer, fire will test the quality of each man’s work as well. This saying is only found in Mark’s Gospel. It must have held special significance for him and Peter.
Salt is good as long as it can serve its purposes. It is useful. Salt as a condiment and a preservative was common in the ancient world. It was a necessity of life in Palestine, so it had commercial value. The main source of salt in Palestine was from the area southwest of the Dead (Salt) Sea. The coarse, impure salt from the saline deposits of this area was susceptible to deterioration, leaving savorless salt like crystals as residue. If it loses its saltiness, its savory quality, it cannot be regained so such salt is worthless.
“Have salt in yourselves” points to the disciples’ need to “have salt” which is good (not worthless) within themselves continually. Here “salt” depicts what distinguishes a disciple from a non-disciple. A disciple is to maintain his allegiance to Jesus at all costs and to purge out destructive influences. Unless we maintain the purity of our own lives (plucking out the eye, cutting off the hand, etc.) and are purified by the flames of testing, and remain faithful to Christ, our lives will have no preserving influence on this corrupt world.
The second command, “Be at peace with each other” is based on the first command and rounds out the discussion provoked by the disciples’ strife. In essence Jesus said, “Be loyal to Me and then you will be able to maintain peace with one another instead of arguing about status”. Believers are to be a reflection of the God given peace we have received from Jesus. Scripture states:
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16 (NIV)
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Romans 14:19 (NIV)
Chapter Ten
Divorce
Marriage is a sacred covenant that ideally is dissolved only by death yet in our culture which bears so proudly the motto: “I have the right to be happy”, divorce is so often embraced rather than shunned. A first resort rather than not an option. Never mind that bodies are strewn everywhere (especially the children), only to discover that happiness is even more elusive for those in subsequent marriages. Divorce can be even more traumatic than losing a spouse or parent. John Piper states: “Death is usually clean pain. Divorce is usually dirty pain.” Also, biblically, God has given us two lifetime covenants to adhere to – one to Him and one to our spouses. We are joined together, we are to be one and we are not to be separated.
I want to be as gentle and as loving in speaking on this issue as I can. Everyone in this room has most likely been affected by divorce of someone we hold dear and love – be it grandparents, parents, children or close friends. Divorce is so rampant in our day and age that it is a rare family that has not been touched by its far-reaching tentacles. My thoughts are to make us more aware of the severity of it in God’s eyes; as well as to encourage us to work hard on our marriages and not give ourselves an out. None of us are perfect and there is always something that we can be working on in our own lives that would benefit our marriages. I realize that not all things can be fixed. Yet, I believe that our marriages are so worth fighting for – even when we have very legitimate Biblical reasons to flee. Certainly God will bless our sincere efforts in this area. Also, God forgives the repentant heart if you discover yourself looking at divorce in the rear-view mirror for no Biblical reason. A broken and contrite heart God never despises. Also, failure is not final in your life.
In our passage for today, the Pharisees came to test Jesus regarding marriage. They wanted Him to give a self-incriminating answer that would arouse opposition against Him as the Jews were divided on the grounds for divorce. In His wisdom, our Lord directed them to the Old Testament, pointing them to Moses and asking his inquirers what the giver of the law had commanded them. They replied that a man was permitted to write a certificate of divorce and send the wife away. Jesus told them it was because their hearts had become hard that Moses wrote that law and then our Lord takes them back to creation stating God had made them male and female and that both were to leave their fathers and mothers and cleave to their spouses becoming one flesh. They would no longer be two but one. God joined them together and man was not to separate them. Divorce was the result of sin and the hardness of man’s heart. The one exception given in Scripture for believers is “except for sexual immorality”. Also, desertion by an unbelieving spouse permits divorce and it seems, grants permission for remarriage.
God’s desire for troubled marriages is always reconciliation. One man joined to one woman for a lifetime is God’s perfect will for every marriage. God hates divorce as we learned in Malachi. It is never commanded or desired by God although separation is sometimes wise.
We live in a fallen, broken world where sadly sin abounds and divorce will occur. Yet, just because we have Biblical reasons for divorce we are not mandated to go in that direction. Forgiveness is possible and available to those who repent and confess their sin. In the church we should emphasize the value and dignity of marriage while eliminating the shame and stigma of the divorced. We are to mingle the call to obedience with the tears of compassion.
The Little Children And Jesus
Jesus loves all children, and He lovingly calls all people to become like dependent children if they are to enter His kingdom. Yet, throughout history the intrinsic value of children has often been ignored. Biblical examples of dishonoring children as image bearers include Herod’s killing of babies during Jesus’ day, mirroring the Pharaoh in Exodus. In general children were not held in high esteem by Romans. By Jesus’ time Romans had a trash heap beside many homes where people could leave unwanted children. If other people wanted the children, they would pick them up. Sometimes these kids were raised to be prostitutes, gladiators, or slaves.
Unfortunately, the world is not much safer for today’s children. Piper states in a sermon entitled “Receiving Children in Jesus’ Name” given in 1992 the following:
“If you leave out the heartache of miscarriages and the genocide of abortion, the statistics are painful. Fourteen million children who reach the age of birth die each year before the age of five….Of these fourteen million, about ten million die from five conditions: about five million from diarrhea; about three million from measles, tetanus, and whooping cough; and about two million from respiratory infections, mainly pneumonia. Most of these could be saved by simple Oral Rehydration Therapies for the diarrhea, a five-dollar injection for the measles, tetanus, and whooping cough and a fifty-cent antibiotic for the respiratory problems….America is one of the most violent countries in the world against children. Not only do we kill a million and a half pre-born children a year, but 22% of the children in America live in poverty; one out of every four girls under eighteen has probably been sexually abused; possibly as high as 30% of all mental retardation may be owing to fetal alcohol syndrome; one study of 36 hospitals showed that in 10% of the pregnancies mothers used illegal drugs during pregnancy; and 89% of school teachers surveyed report that abuse and neglect of children are a problem in their education…The American home is increasingly an unsafe place for children to be. And there is no better place. The family is God’s will.”
Chapter Ten of Mark is divided into five major sections: Jesus teaches on marriage and on children. Then He addresses the perils of possessions and the glory of sacrificial service. Finally, Jesus responds to the faith of a blind man. The concern and love our Savior has for children is crystal clear. One would have a difficult time finding in ancient literature concern for children comparable to that shown by Jesus.
Mark tells us people were bringing children to Jesus to be touched by Him and the disciples sought to restrict them – thinking them a waste of time and even rebuked them. As believers, we want to love our children to Jesus. Indeed, as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. our great desire should be to lead our babies to the Lord. This is the highest and greatest thing we can do for them. When Jesus saw the disciples fussing at the folks for bringing children to Him, He flat out wigged out! This is the only time Jesus is said to be “indignant”. His righteous anger was aroused, and He publicly rebuked them. The object of a person’s indignation reveals a great deal about the person. Jesus’ displeasure here reveals His compassion and defense of the helpless, vulnerable, and powerless. Jesus was affirming that children are worth His time, and they should be worth our time as well!
There are several ways we can consistently and actively lead children to Christ. We can evangelize them with a gospel-saturated home. We can disciple them with a Bible-saturated home. We can pray with them in a prayer-saturated home. We can encourage them, bless them, and challenge them. And we absolutely must model for them a Christ loving life, letting them see that living for Jesus is the natural and normal ebb and flow of life.
Jesus tells us that children are the kind of people who obtain “the kingdom of God”. Children teach us something. We see them coming to Jesus with the help of others, no doubt having some degree of hope and expectation, small though it may be. Children are helpless. Their lives are in the hands of another. Yet, even at a tender age, they seem to be filled with hope and expectation. They come small, helpless, and powerless. They have no clout or standing, and they bring nothing but empty hands. This is appropriate since only empty hands can be filled! Jesus says the kingdom of God is received not earned. It is received like a little child, or it is not received at all.
Jesus picked up the children. He is tender and affectionate to those who bring nothing to Him but their need. Laying His hands on them He blesses them. There were several components of the Hebrew blessing: a meaningful touch, a spoken word, attaching high value, picturing a special future, and an active commitment. Christ fulfilled these components. He picked up and held these children, spoke a word of blessings over them, and attached high value to their intrinsic worth. Indeed, Jesus loves the little children – they are all precious in His sight!
The Rich Young Man
Following Jesus may involve great personal cost, but it always results in great eternal gain. This text address an important question – Who or what should have first place in our lives? Jesus demands that people give Him first place in their lives both for their good and His glory – He is to be above all else and all others. Paul tells us in Colossians:
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. Colossians 1:17-18 (NIV)
In this text a wealthy young man runs up to Jesus. He was a man of power, affluence, and influence. He did not walk to Jesus rather he ran to Him. With remarkable respect he knelt down before Him. He saw Him as a distinguished rabbi and paid Him honor. He addresses Jesus as “good teacher” revealing his earnestness and respect. He had certainly approached Him in the right way - with humility. And he came to the right person – Jesus. His desire was to know what he must do to inherit eternal life.
He desires eternal life yet his question implies he believes eternal life is something you work for, something you do. All religions of the world can be categorized under “do” or “done”. I am saved by what I do or by what another has done. Christianity is a done religion/relationship. Eternal life is not achieved rather received. It is a gift based on what Jesus has done for us on the cross. The rich young ruler must have both a change of theology and a change of heart if he is to inherit eternal life.
Jesus immediately asks why he addresses Him as “good” for there is no one good save God alone. Jesus is not saying that He is not God rather it was a veiled claim to it. The man, unwittingly calling Him “good,” needed to perceive Jesus’ true identity. In answering the man’s question directly, Jesus quoted five commandments from the so-called “second table” of the Decalogue but in a different order. Obedience to those commands dealing with human relationships are more easily verified in a person’s conduct than are the earlier commands.
The man’s reply shows he firmly believed he had kept these commandments perfectly since he was a boy, since age 12 when he assumed personal responsibility for keeping the Law as a “son of the Law”. Perhaps he had expected Jesus to prescribe something meritorious that he needed to do to make up for any lack.
With a penetrating look, Jesus saw beneath the rich man’s religious devotion to his deepest need and loved him, something mentioned only in Mark. The one necessary thing he lacked was unrivaled allegiance to God, since wealth was his god. He was devoted to it rather than God, thereby breaking the first commandment. God must be God in our lives. No one and nothing can stand between Him and us. Giving up his wealth was a particular demand Jesus puts on the rich young ruler – not a general command for all persons. His wealth occupied the place that only God should have in his life. God never shares His rightful throne with anyone or anything. He may have obeyed, relatively speaking, those commands that address human relationships, but he lived in perpetual disobedience, sin, and idolatry when it came to the first and foundational commandment: “Do not have other gods besides Me.”
Jesus could readily identify with the positions of the rich young ruler. After all, He was about 30 years of age Himself. And He, too, was rich – far richer than this man could possibly imagine. As the Son of God, Jesus had lived for all of eternity in the glory, wealth, love, and sweet fellowship of His Father. What He asked this man to do was not unfamiliar to Him! He had already left it all behind. Paul states it perfectly in 2 Corinthians 8:9:
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)
“And Jesus would say I am going into a poverty deeper than anyone has ever known…I am giving it all away. Why? For you. Now, get ready, I am going to ask you to give away everything to follow me. If I gave away my ‘big all’ to get you, can you give away your ‘little all’ to follow me? I won’t ask you to do anything I haven’t already done. I am the ultimate Rich Young Ruler who has given away the ultimate wealth to get you. Now, you need to give away yours to get me.” Tim Keller
The call to discipleship is a call to radical trust and commitment to Jesus. Jesus challenges all of us to put away anything that is an obstacle to our following Him wholeheartedly. You cannot love your “whatever” supremely and love Jesus supremely as well – we cannot serve two masters. Anything that can build a barrier to the one thing necessary to enter the kingdom must get off the throne of your life. He does not share His throne. He must be first.
The young man’s face fell and he turns away sad. Jesus tells His guys how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God (or for that matter anyone who excels in anything worldly – knowledge, position, place, etc. because it is all too easy to rely on that rather than God). This confounds the disciples as Judaism was guilty of its own “prosperity theology”. Wealth and riches were seen as an evidence of God’s favor. “Who then can be saved?” they asked? Jesus answers “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Salvation is, has always been, and will always be a divine accomplishment through the perfect atonement and sacrificial death of God’s Son.
Peter, ever the spokesman for the twelve states: “We have left everything to follow you!” To which Jesus affirms that whatever you might lose or give up in this present age or life for Jesus and the Gospel, you will not fail to receive a hundred times as much now at this time and in the age to come eternal life. One never out-gives God. He will be no man’s debtor. The blessings far outweigh the losses. You can trust Him in this. In God’s kingdom the benefits and blessings are simply too great to imagine.
Jesus Again Predicts His Death
They were on the road going to Jerusalem and our Lord is resolute in His tracks. His face set for the destiny that awaits Him. He has counted the cost, and nothing will stop Him on His march to the cross. He has set His face like flint. Again, He tells the twelve His mission, providentially laying out the road He will walk, and the plan He will accomplish. This third prediction is the most precise and comprehensive of the three Mark recorded. Mark records no response from the twelve.
The Request Of James And John
James and John approached Jesus privately, addressing Him as Teacher. They asked for the places of highest honor and authority in His glory, the messianic kingdom rule which they expected He was about to establish openly. One of them wished to sit at His right, the highest assigned position, and the other at His left, the next highest place in a royal court. Matthew added that their mother came with them and spoke for them. She was Salome, probably a sister of Jesus’ mother. If so, then James and John were Jesus’ first cousins. Perhaps they hoped their family ties would help their cause. Jesus replies that they did not know what they were asking. Their request reveals their complete lack of comprehension of what Jesus has just said. It also reveals their selfishness. Jesus had promised the twelve apostles that they would sit on twelve thrones with Him in the kingdom. That, however, did not appear to be enough for them. Their request was for the best seats in the house, in the kingdom. It reveals their superficial understanding of what it means to follow Jesus, to be His disciple and their inflated opinion of their own importance, something those who are called to lead are especially susceptible to. It also demonstrates their wrongheadedness on how God measures greatness. Being a servant goes against our human inclinations does it not?
Jesus is gentle but firm, gracious but direct in His response. He compares His approaching suffering and death to drinking a cup and experiencing a baptism. These are interesting and powerful metaphors. Drinking a cup with someone speaks of sharing in that person’s fate, experiencing his destiny. Similarly, Jesus’ passion and death were a baptism – His being overwhelmed, flooded, and immersed in the destiny planned for Him by His Father. His cross was a divine appointment!
Their all too quick answer makes plain that James and John were clueless. Nevertheless, Jesus reveals that they are indeed ordained for a similar destiny. James would be the first of the apostles to be martyred. John would experience, alone, the great persecution of Domitian and be exiled to Patmos. But to choose who sits on His right or left is a decision reserved for His Father. Also, it is not the kind of question those who will sit in those chairs would ask! Sadly, James and John failed to see that the pathway to glory is always the pathway of suffering and serving. Before the blessings that flow there is a baptism that overwhelms and drowns.
The ten hear about this and are indignant! Jesus steps in and turns this occasion into a powerful lesson on being a servant. Being great in God’s kingdom is not by earthly standards of self-promotion. The lost world is driven by selfish ambition and vain conceit and a lust for raw power and position. Jesus says if you want to be great in God’s kingdom, if you want to honor the Lord Jesus with your life then become a servant and a slave to all. Jesus reverses all ideas of greatness, turning the world’s philosophy on its proverbial head. The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. Ultimately our Christian service exists only to draw attention to this source – to our crucified and risen Lord who gave Himself as the ransom for us all. The cross is the self-substitution of God for sinful humanity. We needed a ransom because we had all gladly and willingly sold ourselves into the bondage of slavery to sin. When He purchased us, our slave masters – sin, death, hell, and Satan – had to set us free. Righteousness demanded it and love provided it. Jesus got down low so that He might lift others up and all who follow Him are to do the same:
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 1 Peter 1:18-21 (NIV)
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
Here Jesus demonstrated the love of God through extending grace and mercy to those in need. Our Lord is on a mission to go to the cross where He will give His life as a ransom but first He must stop and help someone who is hurting – someone needing a lot of love. The crowds were all around Jesus as He and his guys were leaving Jericho heading to Jerusalem. Blind Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside begging. Hearing the crowds and learning that it was Jesus of Nazareth he begins to shout out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Don’t we all need to be shouting likewise??? Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet yet he shouted all the more. Next, Jesus shows us we should never be so busy we cannot stop and help the hurting or those in need or to demonstrate His love. Jesus certainly taught His disciples the art of stopping. I wonder, have we learned that? He brings His caravan of pilgrims to a screeching halt so that He might minister to just one.
With compassion the Master states: “Call him”. The crowd responds in obedience and issues a wonderful call to Bartimaeus: “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you!” These three sweet sentences are so welcoming and true for all of us as well. Good news! On your feet! He’s calling you! He’s calling me! It reminds me of Jesus’ Words to us in Matthew:
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
Jesus responds simply and quickly – “Your faith has healed you.” Grace is the divine hand that extends healing. Faith is the human hand that reaches out and receives it. And the object of our faith is crucial. Exhortations to “keep the faith!” or “just have faith” are nonsensical and inane statements. Bartimaeus did not have empty faith. No, Bartimaeus directed his faith to the only One who could heal, the only One who could save! Bartimaeus pictured discipleship clearly. He recognized his inability, he trusted Jesus as the One to give him God’s gracious mercy, and when he could “see” clearly he began to follow Jesus.
This is the last healing miracle in the Gospel of Mark. It began with His healing a blind man and it closes with His healing a blind man. Aren’t we all blind before we meet Jesus? Like Bartimaeus we are all blind until Jesus gives us sight. We are all poor beggars until He saves us as our ransom. We bring nothing to Him but our weakness and need and He graces us with His power and blessing. Praise God Jesus stopped and had time for Bartimaeus; praise God Jesus had time for you and me! Nothing has changed in 2,000 years. Jesus still stops for anyone who calls on His name and like Bartimaeus no one is disappointed in what He does!
These are Beth’s personal notes, due to this fact sources are not often stated.