[:en]SCRIPTURE: MARK 10
Bible Verses:
“ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Mark 10:7-9)
““Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” (Mark 10:11-12)
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:14-15)
“One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21)
“ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25)
““With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27)
“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43-45)
““Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” (Mark 10:52)
DIVORCE (vs. 1-12)
From the beginning, marriage meant one man and one woman becoming one flesh for lifetime. but due to hardness of heart, Moses’ commandment permitted divorce on the ground of sexual immorality.
In Ole Testament times, one who commits adultery was stoned to death, living the other party free to remarry. Today, it is divorce that leaves the other party the opportunity for remarriage. God established marriage, so man is not supposed to divide what God has joined together.
THE LITTLE CHILDREN AND JESUS (vs. 13-16)
When people brought their children to Jesus for blessings, the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus welcomed the little children because they are lovable, innocent and receptive. He said: “Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (v. 15). And he took the children in his arms and blessed them.
THE RICH YOUNG MAN (vs. 17-31)
A rich young man approached Jesus and asked: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (v. 17). Jesus asked him if he had kept the commandment. He said he did. So Jeus said: “One thing you lack, go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me” (v. 21). The young man was sad because he has great wealth. He wanted to cling on with his riches than to follow Jesus. That is why Jesus said: :”It is hards for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!
JESUS AGAIN PREDICTS HIS DEATH (vs. 32-34)
Again, Jesus told his 12 disciples that he will be betrayed byt he chief priests and teachers of law. They will condemn him to death and turnover to the Gentiles who will mock him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. But three days after, he will rise again. (v. 33)
THE REQUEST OF JAMES AND JOHN (vs. 35-44)
James, John and their mother had a request. They were asking Jesus to let one sit at his right and the other one sit at his left in his glory. Jesus told them that he could not grant their request. Instead he asked: “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” (v. 38). The cup refers to His submission to the Father’s will in becoming sin for us. And the “baptism” refers to his suffering on the cross for the sins of the world. later, James was the first of the 12 disciples to be martyred. (Acts 12:2) and Joh experienced the Roman persecution at the end of his long life (Rev. 1:9). Jesus taught his disciples the importance of humble service and servanthood in God’s ministry. He showed his example of service by giving his life as a ransom for many.
BLIND BARTIMAEUS RECEIVES SIGHT (vs. 46-52)
Bartimaeus was a blind beggar. When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was there, he began to shout: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me” (v. 47). Many rebuked him but he shouted the more. Jesus called him and asked what he wanted. He said: “Rabii, I want to see” (v. 51). Jesus healed him because of his faith.
LESSONS:
- Marriage is a physical relationship which can be broken by a physical cause either through death (Rom. 7:1-3) or adultery (Mat. 19:9). God does not want couples to separate, so husband and wife must do everything possible to honor their commitment and rebuild relationship.
- Jesus used children as the model to imitate and to receive the Kingdom of God. We must be childlike not childish.
- Many people think that wealth is a proof of God’s blessings. But if we set mony as our first priority and neglected our relationship with God, that wealth becomes a curse. Devil can tempt people to commit many kinds of sin through money as its medium.
- Our motive to serving God must not for crown and reward. Instead, expect a cross, a cup and a baptism.
- If you need God’s help, don’t hesitate to call him continually. Bartimaeus was rebuked for shouting very loud. But he continued to shout no-stop. And Jesus heard and healed him.
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