Mark 10:1-52

We have seen Jesus perform miracles, teach his disciples about his impending deaths, burial and resurrection, and about the child-like faith his followers must have.

Get your Bible out and follow the verses.

The Verses

1. They were on their way to Jerusalem where Jesus would be crucified (just like he had told his disciples).

2. This was a trick question. If Jesus answered, “No,” he would be contradicting Moses and Herod (who had divorced his wife and married his brother, Phillip’s wife.). Jesus’ death was not to be determined on this issue. If He said, “Yes,” He would stand accused of being lax in His teaching. It was not an honest inquiry about a spiritual truth.

3. His response was once again a question, “What did Moses command?”

4. Reference Deuteronomy 24:1-2. The Law of Moses allowed divorce, and later it was interpreted as super-easy…even for burning the biscuits. If the Pharisees had really wanted to get tot he heart of the issue, their question would have been, “What is the basis for the reason for marriage?”

5. Whose hearts were hardened, that the Mosaic Law was such?

6–8. Jesus takes them back to God’s ideal at the beginning of creation. Divorce was not in His plan. Neither was murder. But murderers can be forgiven. In many “Christian” circles divorced persons cannot be. This is more about marriage than it is about divorce. The thing counselors need to deal with is not, “Why do you want a divorce?” The thing counselors should be dealing with is, “Why do you want to get married?”

9. God makes marriage, not man.

10–12. A parallel passage is in Matthew 5:31, which includes the “fornication” issue. Matthew was writing to Jews, who knew the Law, Mark was writing to Romans, who did not know the Law of Moses.

13-16. This is NOT a change of subject! Who gets hurt the most in divorce? The children. Jesus uses children as an example of how we come to Him. Look back at Mark 9:37.

17-31. Keeping the Law was not good enough to save a person. Does verse 21 remind you of Romans 6:7 or Romans 6:11? Some people never experience the joy of salvation because (1) they were never saved to begin with; and (2) they never put Christ ahead of self and possessions. Why is it hard to “enter the Kingdom of Heaven?” Very few are willing to commit and submit to Christ.

31. Does this remind you of the squabble the disciples were having among themselves back in Mark 9:33-37?

32–34. Jesus once again tells the disciples that He is going to be put to death.

35–40. Can you believe this? The disciples are STILL hung up on some pecking order. We all seem to seek some kind of recognition for what we do, even the things we do for Christ. Remember, the disciples had given up their livelihoods to follow Christ. They wanted something in return. Quid-pro-quo…I give you something, you give me something. What the disciples did not realize was the cost Jesus was going to have to pay for the joy of your salvation.

40-45. We are to have a servant’s heart and attitude.

46-52. I love verse 50, because it illustrates the confidence Bartimaeus had that he would receive his sight and would be able to find his cloak.