Mark 10

Mark 10:1

As a Master Teacher, our Lord Jesus employed many techniques by which He communicated truth. Sometimes He spoke in parables and proverbs. Sometimes He used miracles. Other times, He gave lengthy exhortation and instruction. In the chapter before us, we see Jesus employing a method of teaching called the paradox, a statement that turns conventional thinking on its head. Perhaps the best example of a paradox is the hypothetical story of the father and son who were in a tragic car accident in which the father was killed. The son, critically injured, was rushed to the hospital, where it was determined that surgery would be required. But upon seeing the patient, the surgeon said, “I can’t operate on this boy. He’s my son.” How could this be if the boy’s father was killed in the accident? The answer is that the surgeon was the boy’s mother. We will see in the chapter before us five such paradoxesstatements that appear to be impossible initially, but which change our thinking eventually. Jesus never tired of teaching. When people came to Him or gathered around Him, He taught them. I hope we never tire of studying Scripture. It’s the bread that sustains us, the fuel for our faith.

Mark 10:2

These Pharisees came trying to trip up Jesus with the most theologically controversial question of the day, an issue that remains controversial to this day: the issue of divorce.

Mark 10:3

In Jesus’ day, divorce was so common that in order to keep the rabbinical courts from being clogged with divorce proceedings, if a man simply said to his wife, “I divorce you,” three times, she would be given a bill of divorcement.

Mark 10:5

The Greek word translated “hardness” is sklerosfrom which we get “sclerosis,” a word most often used in conjunction with a hardening of the arteries. Whenever a divorce occurs, the reason is never what people say it is. The reason is always hardness of heart.

Mark 10:6

“Let’s go back to the beginning,” Jesus says.

Mark 10:7

The first paradox is that two become one. In the marriage ceremony, when a man and woman stand before the Father, when prayer is offered for their relationship and blessing pronounced upon their marriage, the two of them become one in the eyes of the Father.

Mark 10:10

This would have been a radical statement in the ears of the disciples. You see, nowhere in Levitical law or rabbinical thought could a woman divorce her husband. Thus, Jesus is placing woman on a level she had never before knownnot only in the history of Israel, but in the history of the Roman and Grecian empires as well. Paul would go on to say that in Christ there is neither male nor female (Gal_3:28). We have different functions and responsibilities, to be surebut there is a wonderful equality in Christ. This doesn’t say the person who remarries after divorce will live in adultery, but that theirs is an act of adultery, the missing of God’s best. After a failed marriage, there can be a second opportunitybut it must be approached with great sobriety. No matter how innocent they think they might be, both parties must accept responsibility for their part in the failure. For where sin abounds, grace abounds more.

Mark 10:13

The word “they,” being masculine in Greek, it was the fathers who brought their children to Jesus.

Mark 10:14

The second paradox is that adults must become as children to enter the kingdom. This doesn’t mean we are to be childish. It means we must be childlike. One of the most obvious characteristics of children is their trust. My kids never ask me if there will be food in the refrigerator next week. They have absolute confidence that when it’s dinnertime, they’ll be able to eat. Secondly, although children can’t explain a lot, they sure enjoy a lot. As adults, on the other hand, we want to explain everything, but enjoy very little, if anything. The way of the kingdom is not explaining. The way of the kingdom is enjoyingjust trusting that our Father will see us through, that He’ll provide for us and never give up on us.

Mark 10:17

This is the only instance in the Bible where a man comes and kneels before Jesus and leaves worse off than when he came. Matthew 19 tells us this man was young. Luke 18 tells us he was a ruler. Mark tells us he was rich. But he comes running to Jesus because he’s aware there’s something wrong inside. He’s everything our society values. He’s rich, he’s young, he’s a rulerbut he’s empty.

Mark 10:18

“If you’re calling Me good,” Jesus says, “is it because you understand that I must indeed be God?”

Mark 10:19

This man was not only rich, young, and a rulerbut he was also religious. His morals were impeccable. He was a man of integrity. And when he said, “I’ve done these things from my youth,” Jesus didn’t disagree. The third paradox is that the poor will be rich. “You may have kept certain commandments,” Jesus said to the rich young ruler, “but the problem is that you are controlled and dominated by money. Be free. Get rid of it.” I don’t believe the point was for this man to divest himself of all of his money, but rather to recognize his wrong priority. Throughout Scripture, there are four hundred ninety verses that deal directly with faith, five hundred or more that deal with prayer, and two thousand that deal with money. Two hundred eighty-eight verses in the Gospels aloneone in every tenconcern money. The Bible contains more verses dealing with our use and handling of money than it does concerning prayer and faith combined.

Mark 10:22

Because at this time it was believed that a man who walked with God would be blessed by God financially, it is no wonder the disciples were astonished. It’s impossible for a rich man to be saved. It’s impossible for a poor man to be saved. It takes a miracle for any man to be saved.

Mark 10:28

If my house burned down tonight, I know there are believers who would take my family and me in. If I walked out into the church parking lot and discovered my car wouldn’t start, I know someone would take me home. Thus, I have hundreds of houses and cars and family members. So do you. The more we give, the more we enjoy the benefits of the entire kingdomthe hospitality, love, support, networking, strength, and community of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Yes, there is sometimes persecution. But the extent to which we give is the extent to which our needs will be met in this life, and to which heaven will be enjoyed.

Mark 10:31

The fourth paradox is that the last shall be first. This statement runs cross current to that which our culture propagates. Our society is becoming increasingly competitive in its orientation. And yet those who win society’s competition seem to be increasingly disillusioned with the prize. This explains why top athletes, for example, often find themselves being sucked into the drug scene. They got the prizebut the prize was too small. Jesus comes on the scene and calls us away from competition. How does this work out practically? In your mind’s eye, travel back two thousand years ago to a place called Bethesda… There you see hundreds of people with all sorts of physical ailments positioned around a pool of water. Why are they there? The understanding of the day was that the first one in the water after an angel supposedly stirred it would be healed. Consequently, these blind, lame, hurting people jockeyed for position in order that they might be first in the pool. But what does Jesus do when He arrives at Bethesda? He finds a lame man seemingly at the back of the pack and says, “Do you want to be made whole?” “I have no man to help me into the water,” the man answers. “I don’t have a network. I don’t have the skills. My college education is outdated. I don’t have connections. How can I compete in this culture? I have no one to help me.” This man had no stock options. He wasn’t a member of the health club, nor on the city softball team. He wasn’t competitive Yet it was he and he alone who captured Jesus’ attention that day. “Arise,” Jesus said. “Take up your bed. I’m freeing you from this pool of competition.” And the man was healed (Joh_5:9). I believe Jesus says the same thing to us today. Maybe we’ve been jockeying, struggling, planning, conniving, attempting to get the edge, to make it happen, to get aheadbe it financially or relationally, in ministry or in spirituality. But Jesus would remind us that the paradox of the kingdom is that the first shall be last and the last first.

Mark 10:32

James was martyred. John was placed in a cauldron of boiling oil and then exiled on the island of Patmos. They did indeed drink of Jesus’ cup of suffering and were baptized into His baptism.

Mark 10:41

“Unlike Gentile rulers who dominate, manipulate, and control, the great among you shall be your minister,” or, literally, “your waiter,” said Jesus.

Mark 10:44

The fifth paradox is that the servant shall rule. The easiest way to know if you’re a servant is by how you react when people treat you like one. All too often, I’m afraid, my heart is, “Yes, Lord, I want to be a servant as long as people realize I’m serving. I want to be a slave as long as I become Slave of the Year.” If you’re gladly slaving in the nursery, in the kitchen, or in the Sunday-school class without being noticed, appreciated, or thankedyours is the heart of a true servant. Does the Lord want us to be slaves because He likes to see us grovel? No, it’s because He’s preparing us for the kingdomfor the next billion yearsand He knows that the best exercise for strengthening your heart is stooping down to pick up someone else. Others might not acknowledge you. You might not be rewarded presently. But when you move into the kingdom, and the Lord says, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Father,” you’ll do so with a large heart and a huge capacity to enjoy eternity. When we get to heaven, gang, not one of us will regret the times we weren’t applauded by people for serving the Lord. Instead, we’ll say, “Thank You, Father, for sparing me from getting my reward on earth where it passes away so quickly.” If you want to rule, become a slave. It’s a paradox indeed. But it’s true.

Mark 10:46

Historians tell us that at this time Jericho was the most trafficked intersection in the world due to the fact that all commerce, travel, and movement of troops between Europe to the north and Africa to the south passed through Jericho. It has been said that there are three basic categories of people: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened. Bartimaeus, I believe, would fit into the third category. No doubt he would hear the creaking of the wagon wheels being pulled by snorting oxen. He would hear the shuffle of sandals on rocky roads, the sounds of camels, the conversations of peopleeveryone moving, while he sat still. Maybe you can identify. Maybe you feel like all around you things are happening, people are moving, times are changing. But you? You’re just sitting, wondering, begging. Bartimaeus sat by the side of the road because he was blind. Perhaps he was blind due to vitamin deficiencies common in that day. But it is more likely that his blindness was the result of heredity. You see, “Bartimaeus” literally means “son of the unclean one.” Thus, it is very possible that Bartimaeus was so named because his mother or father passed on a disease that produced blindness in their son.

Mark 10:47

Bartimaeus heard that Jesus had come to Jericho. The name “Jesus” is the Greek transliteration of the Jewish name “Joshua,” so it was actually “Joshua” who came to Jericho that day. Thousands of years previously, another Joshua had come into the city of Jerichonot for salvation, but for destructionfor it was his job to bring the people of God into the Promised Land. And here, standing before Bartimaeus, was “Joshua,” whose job it was to bring the people of God into the Land of Promise not physically, but eternallyto bring mankind to heaven. As the feet of the priests and Levites touched the water, the Jordan River parted, and Joshua entered into the Promised Land to begin his ministry. Jesus also began His ministry in the Jordan River when He was baptized at the age of thirty. The water didn’t part. Instead, the heavens opened, a dove descended, and the Father declared, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Joshua’s ministry was preceded by Moses, who prepared the people in the wilderness as he gave them the law. Jesus’ ministry was preceded by a prophet of the wilderness named John the Baptist who preached repentance (Mar_1:15). After circling the city, Joshua told the people to shout. And the walls came down. When Jesus came into the city, Bartimaeus was told not to shout, but to keep quiet. But he would soon stand up.

Mark 10:49

Joshua’s greatest victory took place on the day he commanded the sun to stand still (Jos_10:12). So, too, Bartimaeus’ life would miraculously change the day the Son stood still. You who are sitting by the highway of life, saying, “I’m blind. I don’t get it. I’m not seeing properly. I’m not going anywhere. Does Jesus care about me, or is He just passing by quickly?” take hope. Bartimaeus cried outand the Son stood still. Why? I suggest three reasons… Bartimaeus cried out in humility. All too often, we say, “Poor me. Life isn’t fair. Why do bad things always happen to me?” Humility, on the other hand says, “I’m a sinner. I deserve judgment. But, Lord, I thank You for Your mercy.” And such is the voice the Lord hears most clearly. Bartimaeus cried out tenaciously. Keep quiet!" the crowd said to Bartimaeus. It’s amazing to me how often perhaps well-meaning people try to get us to quiet down. “Don’t keep bothering the Lord,” they say. “Just accept your blindness. Accept your confusion. Accept the fact that you don’t know what’s happening.” Bartimaeus, however, kept cryingwith humility, yesbut also with tenacity. Bartimaeus cried out expectantly, for when Jesus called him, he left his garment behind. The garment beggars wore was specially striped in order that people would know the wearer was legitimately begging, that he had no other means of financial support. Therefore, in throwing his garment down, Bartimaeus was saying, “I know Jesus will heal me.” Truly, without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb_11:6)for it is faith that sees the invisible, believes the impossible, and receives the incredible.

Mark 10:51

Bartimaeus was “changed in the twinkling of an eye"just as we all will be one day. It is no wonder he followed the One who had opened His eyes and given him life. May today be the day you do what Bartimaeus did: May today be the day you receive the direction, instruction, revelation you need. May you cry out until Jesus stops in front of you. May you cry out until the Son stands still. And may you join Bartimaeus in following Him anew.