SCRIPTURE: MARK 10
DIVORCE (vs. 1-16)
Jesus went to Judea and across the Jordan. Some Pharisees came to test him by asking: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” (v. 2) Jesus replied: “What did Moses command you?” (v. 3). They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” (v. 4) Jesus replied: “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law. But at the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be untied to to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one. Therefor what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (vs. 5-9) Then Jesus told his disciples: “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.” (vs. 11-12)
THE LITTLE CHILDREN AND JESUS (vs. 13-16)
When the people brought little children to Jesus to have him touch them, the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (v. 14-15). And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed. them.
THE RICH YOUNG MAN (vs. 17-31)
A man ran to Jesus and fell on his knees asking him “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (v.17). Jesus answered, “You know the commandments: Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.” (v. 19) He said he had kept them since he was a boy. Jesus said: “One thing you lack, Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. then come, follow me.” (v. 21) At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Jesus said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (vs. 23-25) Then the disciples asked: “Who then can be saved?” (v. 26) Jesus said: “With man this is impossible, but not with God; a;; things are possible with God. Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!” (v. 25) Jesus replied: ”
No one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brother, sisters, mothers, children and fields — ands with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (vs. 29-31)
JESUS AGAIN PREDICTS HIS DEATH (vs. 32-34)
While o Jesu and disciples were on their way to Jerusalem, he said: “The Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hands him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kills him, three days later he will rise”: (vs. 33-34)
THE REQUEST OF JAMES AND JOHN (vs. 35-45)
The sons of Zebedee, James and John made this request to Jesus: “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory” (v. 17) Jesus asked them: “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with? (v. 38). They said: “Yes”. Jesus said: “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” (vs. 39-40) When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over the, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 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. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but4 to serve, and to give his life a a ransom for man.” (vs. 42-45)
BLIND BARTIMAEUS RECEIVES HIS SIGHT (vs. 46-52)
Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (Son of Timaeus) was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (v. 47). Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more. Jesus stopped and said, “Call him” (v. 49). So they called the blind man . Jesus asked him: “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” (v. 51)/ Jesus said, “Go, your faith has healed you.” (v. 52) Immediately, he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
THOUGHTS:
When the Pharisees asked Jesus about the law of divorce, Jesus led them back to God’s original plan and interpreted it for them. God allowed divorce as a concession to people’s sinfulness. Divorce was not approved, but it was instituted to protect the injured party in a bad situation. Unfortunately, the Pharisees used the Moses law as a proof text for divorce. Jesus explained that this was not God’s intent. Instead, God wants married people to consider their marriage permanent.
This man wanted to be sure that he would get eternal life. so he asked Jesus what he could do. Jesus mentioned the commandments and he said had kept them. So Jesus broke through the man’s pride with a challenge to go and sell all he has and give the money to the poor. This challenge exposed the barrier that could keep this man out of the Kingdom. Because of his love of money, , he was unable to keep the first commandment of let nothing be more important than God. How about you? What does money mean to you? What barriers are keeping you from turning your life over to Christ? Are you willing to remove all barriers to serve Him fully and faithfully?
Jesus said it was very difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God because the rich often become self reliant. Their abundance and self-sufficiency made them forget what is the most important – eternal life.
Jesus assured the disciples that anyone who gives up something valuable for his sake will be repaid a hundred times. However, aside from rewards, he also emphasized persecution that they may encounter for following Him.
James and John made a request but Jesus denied their request. We can feel free to ask God for anything, but our request may be denied. God wants to give us what is best for us, not merely what we want. His denial maybe for our own good.
James and John wanted the highest positions in Jesus’ Kingdom. But Jesus told them that true greatness comes in serving others. In Christ’s kingdom, service is the key to get ahead. So, try your best to minister to the needs of others.
Jesus emphasized that he came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. This reveals the motive of his ministry and the basis for our salvation. A ransom was the price paid to release a slave. Jesus paid a ransom for us by his death. He released all of us from our slavery to sin.
The blind man Bartimaeus received his sight because of his persistence in calling Jesus despite the rebuke of people for him to keep quiet. His faith in Jesus as the Messiah has cured his blindness. If you wish to receive some miracle from God, don’t be discouraged by the people around you. Try your best to believe and trust in God’s power.