Mark 10:32-24 - Delivered to the Gentiles

Mark 10:32-34
³² They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, ³³ saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. ³⁴ They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again.”

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Preface -  Jesus has concluded his lesson on salvation by reminding his audience that the heart must leave behind all that it holds dear (the lust of the eyes) and go in the opposite way. And yet, we need to realize that persecution may come. But the reward for this type of commitment is eternal life. He remarks then that the last are first. It is not the wealthy that automatically enter the kingdom of God as wealth can make you feel like you are in need of nothing.

Well, Mark has been talking salvation through the message of the Rich Young Ruler. They were on the road going up to Jerusalem. They are back on the road, going up to Jerusalem. They are still in Judea. and Jesus was walking on ahead of them. Jesus is now on the way to the cross. He has already spoken of the cross and spoken of the fact that he will die and rise again. He will mention it again soon. It's interesting to think, to ponder, to wonder what Jesus was experiencing or thinking at this time. He was walking ahead. Perhaps there was determination. Perhaps he simply wanted to prepare himself for the days ahead as they would be tough, for himself, a man.

and they were amazed - This seems to be talking about the disciples. and those who followed were fearful - those that were following along, not the disciples, but others, were fearful. It seems appropriate that the disciples and followers were amazed and/or fearful. Jesus has already been speaking about some things that they have not wanted to believe. There must have been consternation (dread, utter confusion) in their thinking. I'm not thinking anyone was looking forward to what Jesus had been saying would happen.

But Jesus knows this. While he is preparing himself, he is very concerned in what his followers, his disciples are thinking. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him. This entire time in reading the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is spending time with the disciples, teaching them. The followers and audience sometimes do not get the entire message as it is being presented, so it is important that the disciples do get the exact message of what is going on in the life of Jesus. Granted, that doesn't mean that they will understand. For the disciples have not shows that they are quick at doing what he has told them to do. But it is possible they have heard the teaching. This is care and concern that Jesus has.

I've noticed lately, in our world there are service people, like doctor's and dentist's that do seem to be taking more time now to explain things. I think of my dentist and how careful he is in explaining the procedures that he is going to perform on me. Now that doesn't mean that when he performs his procedure that it isn't going to hurt. That also doesn't mean that I am going to accept what he does perfectly, but he has done his part in imparting information to me.

This is what Jesus is saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes." The disciples must have thought Jesus was going cuckoo. This made no sense at all. They must have looked around at each other in bewilderment at what is being voiced to them. I'm still unpacking my understanding of why Jesus referred to himself often as the Son of Man instead of here saying, "and I will be delivered." It seems that the Son of Man title referred to his humanity. It would make sense that God would not have a reason to be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes. But, perhaps, walking as Man, there would be a reason. As God, he is not to be fit into a box. But, as man he could. 

Son of Man is also mentioned in Daniel 7:13-14. Daniel lived at a time about 600 years before Jesus. Yet, there obviously was a significance of Daniel and his prophecy and that it would be remembered by Jesus here. Those verses state: 

¹³ “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. ¹⁴ He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Like a son of man. Like a man but different. Verse 14 is clear about how he would be different. He had authority, glory and sovereign power, and is worshiped, his dominion and kingdom is permanent.

they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. The light bulbs must have gone on for the disciples here or perhaps they were thinking, "O great, here he goes again, talking about his death." To be handed over to Gentiles was the worst fate of a Jewish person. It was a repeat of what Jews had experienced previously.

They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again. Wow. This had to be hard to listen to. Up to this point they had not heard these details. Yes, he would die and yes, he would rise again three days later. But, now the details become clearer. He will be mocked, spit on, scourged and then killed. I'm thinking they knew that this meant crucifixion. Thus, they had great fear (v. 32). 

Summary - Jesus once again predicts his death and resurrection, but this time provides more details that include being delivered over to the scribes and chief priests and then to the Gentiles. Thus, all those that up to this point Jesus has to deal with, but also he has had an answer for, but now he would be mocked, spit on, scourged prior to his death. For the disciples to hear this must have been hard to accept. 

Promise: Jesus is preparing himself to bear the curse of God and bear the punishment for the sin of all of mankind. It will not be pretty. 

Prayer: Lord, I can't imagine the anger and wonder and fear that the disciples experienced at that moment when you told them of your fate. Yet, you had a purpose that we now understand so clearly. And while it makes sense, I still feel responsible for putting you to death because my sin makes me sorry for what I've done. And yet you do not desire me to sit in that sorrow or guilt or pain, but to realize I have been rescued and forgive. Your grace has covered me. Thank you for continuing to show me your Word and confirming Your divinity and sacrifice to me. If I can assist others in this understanding, show me the way.  
 

Mark 10:31 - The Right-Side-Up Kingdom

Mark 10:31
But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.

Message:  The right-side-up kingdom.

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Preface -  Jesus has concluded this lesson on salvation by reminding his audience that the heart must leave behind all that it holds dear and go in the opposite way. And we need to realize that persecution may come. And the reward for this type of commitment is eternal life. 

Jesus continues to speak in a way that is different. He started chapter 10 talking about marriage and basically that a man and woman, when brought together by the Lord, will make the extra effort to stay together. He then remarks the favor he places on little children. They are indeed precious and important to him when often they are glossed over in the world. And then he speaks to the idea that all must be surrendered to him, even in our money, if we are truly going to be his followers. 

This passage now centers on a very small verse - But many first will be last, and the last, first. 
Again, at first glance, this passage does not make any sense. In a race, the last finishers are not first, they are last. In a race, the first finishers are not last, but they are first. So, how are we supposed to understand this from Jesus?

Jesus provides these words on the heels of his message to the disciples and followers and even the rich young ruler about the how salvation happens, how entrance to the kingdom of God occurs. It is a conclusion of that message by saying the first will be last and the last first. DeGarmo and Key wrote a song called All the Losers Win. It is this idea that those who are often considered last in this world will be first in the Kingdom of God (the poor, the children). When we forsake all and follow Him sometimes we give up our riches to do this.

Summary - Jesus wants to express something to his disciples and followers and that is His way is different, unique from the worlds way and when we love others the way he has loved us, hopefully they people will see that we are different. In this lesson, the last are first. It is not the wealthy that automatically enter the kingdom of God as wealth can make you feel like you are in need of nothing.

Promise: Our churches should look different to the world. We should have a way of conducting ourselves that stands out, rather than mirrors what we are seeing in the World.

Prayer: Lord, your messages are indeed different. They are unique. Help me God to be this type of person. Help me to be sensitive to my wife's needs and not to be so focused on fulfilling my needs. Lord, I am weak. I need your strength to help me through this type of living. I am a selfish creature that often thinks that getting my way is what will make me happy. But, serving others holds a greater role in our lives.

Mark 10:28-30 - The Rewards of Discipleship

Mark 10:28-30
²⁸ Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, 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 farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, ³⁰ but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.

Message: The Rewards of Discipleship

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Preface -  Jesus, after speaking to the Rich Young Ruler, in answering his question on obtaining eternal life takes a moment to speak a lesson to the disciples and those around. He says that being rich makes it hard, not impossible, but hard for people then to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus says that salvation with people is impossible. But with God all things are possible. 

The older I get, the idea of left everything and followed You becomes more and more of a distant feeling. As a teenage, with nothing, when I made the decision at the age of 14 to follow him, this verse and idea then meant something and rang true and seemed doable. But, as I have gotten older and started on the path of accumulating wealth and possessions as responsibilities grow, that idea of leaving everything and following Him sounds okay in principle but the application seems distant. 

Yet, I have read about or heard about people that leave comfortable jobs or have accumulated wealth and then leave it behind to serve on the mission field or serve in full-time ministry as a pastor. They are leaving one lifestyle and embracing another, all for the sake of the Gospel. That seems more real to this message. 

My hope is that my heart is in the right place. And that for the sake of the call, I would make this decision. 

But the commentaries don't seem to say that this is in fact a physical separation, for Jesus does not mention wives and children. there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake And so perhaps what is being said is can I relinquish the relations and pleasures that those people represent. 

So, not sure, but Jesus explains the exchange principle that then takes place. When we leave those things God replaces them with a hundred times as much. We end up with something more than what we had before. All of those things we had before are better. This seems to be the point: to always realize that our own plans and desires by themselves must be surrendered to the Lord and He will provide something even better.  

What have I seen has been talked about in this whole discourse? The question before Jesus from the rich young ruler is how can i obtain eternal life. Jesus remarks that eternal life, the kingdom of God, salvation is not a human thing. It is a God thing. At the point of salvation, we make a decision to abandon or give up all that has previously been important to us and go in the opposite way. At that moment, we come to see that Christ is it. Christ gives us a new life in Him. And going forward, life then is all about staying with that same joy in the midst of persecution, trials, and also great joys. 

I love that song and idea from Leeland that he sings called the Opposite Way. He writes - It's not Your will for me to stay / Your will for me is the opposite way. - To stay with father and mother is not my mission, it is to realize I am going in the opposite way of all that I thought was significant and right. That's a shift in thinking that not everyone embraces and it's hard because the older I get the more set in my ways I become and people come. 

along with persecutions - So it will be a hundred times better, but will include persecutions. Persecutions is unique to Mark. Matthew recounts this same story and yet he does not mention persecutions. Since Mark's version comes from Peter, perhaps Peter experienced persecutions more than Matthew. For Matthew it wasn't significant, but for Peter it was. Perhaps Peter was simply wanting to say that it will not only be roses. There will be difficult times, but we can make it because we always know that in the age to come, eternal life. Salvation, in the kingdom of God, eternal life are outcomes we are promised. 

Summary - Jesus concludes this lesson on salvation, obtaining eternal life, coming into the kingdom of God with the reminder that at salvation there is a trade-off. We leave behind all that we have held dear to that point - our thinking, our relationship, everything - and we give it away, we are born again, we are going now the opposite way, and in return we will receive life in a more complete way. Yet, persecutions will also happen, perhaps more for some of us (Peter) than others (Matthew). But, in the end, we will all have eternal life. 

Promise: On those days when the cost of discipleship seems not worth paying, let us remember that Jesus promises great blessings to those who follow Him. In being willing to lose all for Christ, we will end up gaining ourselves.

Prayer: I embrace the opposite Way Lord. It is now what I know of as the only way to peace and eternal life. Yes, rough times are still a part of this. But I run to you.

Mark 10:26-27 - The Necessity of Divine Grace

Mark 10:26-27
²⁶ They were even more astonished and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ Looking at them, Jesus *said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Preface -  Jesus, after speaking to the Rich Young Ruler, in answering his question on obtaining eternal life takes a moment to speak a lesson to the disciples and those around. He says that being rich makes it hard, not impossible, but hard for people then to enter the kingdom of God. We must always be careful of the matters of our heart.  

The disciples at this time could have been thinking of a former Jewish teaching that wealth often was equated with righteousness. Deuteronomy 28:11 says, "The Lord will make you abound in prosperity, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your beast and in the produce of your ground, in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you." Wealth was often seen as a gift for the righteous. Even Job was renowned for his righteousness and piety as well as for his vast wealth (Job 1:1-5). 

After Jesus had basically said to them that having wealth makes it hard for a person then to enter the kingdom of God, the disciples respond that they were even more astonished and said to Him, “Then who can be saved? It is almost as if they were saying, so how can this rich young ruler be saved. 

One interesting thing to note is that the disciples used the term saved here. Previously Jesus had not used that terminology or Mark had not used that terminology in describing this incident. The rich young ruler had come to Jesus to say, "what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus in his response had 3 times in 3 verses (23-25) equated inheriting eternal life with entering the kingdom of God. And now the disciples replied with how can a man be saved. Thus, inheriting eternal life, entering the kingdom of God, and salvation were all the same thing here. Salvation was wrapped up in all of these meanings. I think this is significant because part of my study of Mark and reading of it over this time is to try to understand from this book how salvation is defined. And what was being taught of salvation. And here there is a clear connection that salvation is inheriting eternal life; it is entering the kingdom of God. 

Thus, for all of these things - eternal life, the kingdom of God, salvation, Jesus *said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” The crux of salvation falls on God making it happen. Man does not make salvation, eternal life, entering the kingdom of God on his own. Man does not achieve this as a separate work. The Rich Young Ruler had kept the law, but that wasn't the ticket. He had accumulated wealth and therefore was probably well respected in his day, but that wasn't the ticket. It wasn't obtained through doing, it comes about because of what God has done: With people it is impossible. People don't make it happen.   All things are possible with God. God makes it happen. It is all possible because of God. 

I was speaking with a person that attends the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints recently and he remarked that salvation occurs after man lives his life to the best of his ability. So all of the days on earth are spent by man doing the best that person can do, following ordinances, obeying commands, and then after all that man has done, Christ saves a person. This seems to infer that salvation is man and God working in tandem. Man does his part and Christ then will usher in the final decision. But, Jesus does not present that sort of message here. Man's efforts don't get him anything at all. It is not a decision in tandem, rather it is only possible with God.    


Summary - The disciples are hungry for truth. In response to them seeing that a rich young man who has kept the law and commandments does not enter the kingdom of God through this effort and Jesus remarks that it is very hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. The disciples wonder then how can a person be saved. Jesus responds that salvation with people is impossible. But with God all things are possible.

Promise: Christ alone brings salvation and we trust in Him alone to save sinners and to presever them in His grace.

Prayer: Lord, you are the author of salvation. With you all things are possible. On my own, even keeping the law will not merit eternal life. Thank you for making the way possible for me. Thank you for your great love for me and your gift of grace. Help this truth to rein in our world today so that many more would catch on and understand this truth.

Mark 10:23-25 - The Difficulty of Entering the Kingdom

Mark 10:23-25
²³ And Jesus, looking around, *said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴ The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus *answered again and *said to them, “Children, how hard 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 man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Message: The Difficulty of Entering the Kingdom

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Preface - A man has come to Jesus asking what he can do to inherit eternal life. He calls Jesus good and Jesus attempts to correct him so the next time he calls him simply Teacher. This man feels confident that he has kept the laws, the 10 commandments, and yet he still asks the question of how he can obtain eternal life. Jesus tells him that it is more than only rule-keeping, but a matter of the heart. The man walks away because his heart is focused on accumulating wealth and he won't give up his wealth for anything else. 

And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” Mark records Jesus first looking around, as if Jesus is wondering if this incident has had an impression or impact on His disciples. In other words, are they understanding the lesson that is here in this man and his response? Jesus makes a pronouncement that is still true today. The wealthy feel like they don't need God. They have everything that money can by and so they have need for nothing else. It is an interesting assertion, especially in the world I live in where having more seems to be what everyone wants. And those that have little are thought to be suffering. 

What happened to this man becomes a lesson to us all. Having wealth can create a stumbling block to man and his ways. The disciples were amazed at His words. The words of Jesus continue to express an opposite way to that which has been proclaimed in the world and Jesus today continues to put forth this opposite way. 


But Jesus *answered again and *said to them, “Children, how hard it is 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.” Again, Jesus repeats and he then draws upon a comparative hyperbolic language. It is simpler to take a large animal and fit him into a small opening that it is for a rich mad who has a large abundance of things to be willing to give them all up so as to enter the kingdom of God. 

But, it is not impossible, Jesus is stating though it can be hard. For the rich young ruler, it was hard. He had things in this earth to hold onto and he could see how his days were better, his present days were better by having these things. And to give them up, even if it was only a matter of the heart giving them up, was not what he could do.

Yet, this is also a lesson for me. I protect our finances. I have a giving heart and yet I often don't give because I am concerned about the needs of my family. And I want to make sure I have what I need to sustain this present life. It is tough to know at times how to give. 

Summary - Jesus, after speaking to the Rich Young Ruler, in answering his question on obtaining eternal life takes a moment to speak a lesson to the disciples and those around. He says that being rich makes it hard, not impossible, but hard for people then to enter the kingdom of God. We must always be careful of the matters of our heart. 

Promise: Wealth brings temptations. We may be prone to look for security in our riches and not in Christ. Where is my heart? 

Prayer: Lord, I need to evaluate this in my life. I know I do this at times. I like to hold onto my wealth. And yet I know I can also be a giving person. There is a tough balance. I want to be guided by You. And I want to make sure that I am not holding onto something, my wealth, and forgoing what you are calling me to do.