Day 10: March 31, 2020
Six vignettes in this fast-paced chapter on the ministry of Jesus include:
- Teaching on divorce
- Blessing the children
- Teaching regarding how the rich get to heaven/who can be saved
- Jesus predicting His death
- The misguided request of James and John
- Healing Bartimaeus.
In Mark 10, we learn that Jesus’ idea of greatness isn’t the same as the worlds. His doesn’t revolve around wealth, or power, or influence, but instead includes valuing children, serving rather than being served, and sacrificial giving-even giving it all away.
Mark 10
Teaching About Divorce
And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.
2 And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” 5 And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ 7 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11 And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
Let the Children Come to Me
13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
The Rich Young Man
17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time
32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”
The Request of James and John
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus
46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Read verses 51 -52 again. Jesus asked Bartimaeus this question, “What do you want me to do for you?” He didn’t ask what do you want me to do for your children, your family, your friends, but asked a very personal question – for you. Bartimaeus knew his pressing need and immediately, without hesitation answered, “I want to see.” And because of his faith, Jesus immediately healed the man.
Answer the same question today, because of your faith: What do you want Me to do for you?
How can you change your idea of greatness and embrace Jesus’ idea to include valuing children, serving, and sacrificial giving? Both today, and when our days once again return to normal?
Heal the sick! Amen.
Open my eyes Lord! I want to see Jesus daily. Take the scales off my spiritual eyes so I can see the steps to take that you have ordered for me today. Lead me to even a closer walk with Jesus that I would press on to be Christ-like in everything I think, say, and do! Amen
Amen!
Heal the sick. Amen.
Lord, give Ashley, Gabriela, Isabela, Maya, Even and me good health to weather this storm. Thank you Lord for the food you have provided to nourish out bodies today. Help me do everything I can today, to allow your spirit to work in me, through me, to minister to my family, my neighbors, and those I serve at CFBC.
Father, please keep us safe and well. My real concern is watching over my mom in assisted living. Father all the people that have lost their job, let them feel comforted knowing You have control. Amen
I pray that many will come to know Jesus during this time and that the enemy is defeated. God is doing the impossible.
I am struck by the contrast of the 2 times the question is asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” James and John want greatness in the kingdom of God (wrong desire). On the other hand, Bartimaeus wants to see!
Jesus hasn’t come to give power to his people in the way the world would expect. He has come to give sight to the blind. I want this to be my desire as well.
Lord,
Help me to not be selfish like those seeking divorce, riches, or places of honor. Help me to have the innocent, reliant faith of a child or a blind man. Help me to reflect the attitude of a servant, as you set the example. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Amen.
Heavenly Father thank you for always being there for us in our time of need. Guide me, my family and friends along the path yyou have chosen for us all. Keep us looking up to you and guide us to be faithful to you only. Lord help me to be the servant you have chosen me to be. Heal the sick and help those out of work yo continue to be faithful to you. Thank you for allowing me and my family and friends to know yhat you will guide us through this stressful time. I ask all this in Jesus Christ name our Lord and Savior amen.
Lord Jesus open my eyes to see more of You in the midst of this pandemic and take out my fear.
Father, thank you for your healing hand on my heart. I did not realize how I had so much unbelief until you opened my eyes. I ask for the blood of Jesus to be poured over my children, family members, church family, President & first responders. Thank you, Father, Abba for your undeserving mercies and grace. In Jesus name Amen.
Heavenly Father,
When you move, I want to see. When you speak, I want to hear. I know that I am right where you want me, and I want to lean into you for everything. Your strength, not mine.
Amen