(chapter 11 will follow in the next issue)
Observe the text to understand the author’s meaning:
Read 10:1-12. Notice that Jesus now heads down from the north to the vicinity of Jerusalem. The Pharisees came to test Jesus on the Law. They knew the law: they were merely trying to trap Jesus. If Jesus said, “yes” it is lawful, they would denounced him based on the Genesis passage. If Jesus said, “no” it is not lawful, they would have said he disobeyed Moses and the Law. It was a no win situation that they intentionally constructed. Jesus uses the opportunity to teach about marriage and its deep meaning.
See Gen 1:27, 2:23-24 and Deu 24:1-3. What is God’s original intention in Genesis? Why is divorce against God’s plan? What happens to the new “one flesh” or one body when divorce occurs. What happens if there is a divorce?
Read 10:13-17. Bringing children to Jesus for him to touch them was to receive a blessing. The disciples continue to misunderstand who Jesus is. Thinking he is a kingly Messiah after David, they don’t want to bother him with lowly children. They continue to create Jesus in their image.
What does Jesus mean when he says we have to receive the Kingdom of God like a child?
Remember the Exodus narrative. The people who left Egypt and saw the Red Sea parted, received manna, etc. refused to trust God and enter the Kingdom of the Promised Land. Instead it was their children, who trusted, obeyed and followed God, who entered the land.
Read 10:17-22. This continues the lesson on the Law and the Kingdom of God. When the man calls Jesus “Good teacher” what is he saying about Jesus? When Jesus answers and says “No one is good except God alone,” what is Jesus saying about himself; about what he says?
Which commandments did Jesus omit when he says the man knows the commandments?
The man has a religion of good works: if I do this perfectly, then God owes me eternal life. And in pride, he announces, “I have kept all these things from my youth up.” He didn’t just start doing these things, he has done them for a long time. What is Jesus’ reply? How does this relate to the commandment that Jesus omitted earlier?
In the end, what does the man choose, his possessions or Jesus? Which did Jesus call the man to leave? Which does he leave?
In vs 21, how did Jesus feel about this man? Does that change the call to faith? In other words, does Jesus offer “cheap grace” out of love? Would that be real love? What does Jesus do to his “pride” in his own abilities to save himself?
Was the man “saved?” Why not? While keeping the Law does not save us, it has the potential for driving us to Christ while sin, or disobeying the law, drives us away from Christ. Christ does not compromise with sin.
Read 10:23-25. In light of the previous passages, what is Jesus saying about wealth? Do you have to be poor financially to be in the Kingdom of God? Or is this an issue of pride as it was for the rich man?
Often when we have wealth, we believe we are self-sufficient and do not need Jesus. Wealth and pride are often closely linked. See Deu 8:11-20. How are we to view wealth?
Read 10:26-31. After Jesus talks about wealth, what is the disciples’ question? Aren’t they saying, “if the rich can’t be saved, then no one can?” Peter is still “hung up” on how to be saved with good works–how do we save ourselves?
If poverty and renouncing earthly relationships and possessions is the criteria for entering the Kingdom, what does Peter boast about? What is Jesus reply? Will good works save? What will save? Notice that amidst all the blessings, Jesus also includes “persecution.”
Who are the first who will be last and the last who will be first in light of the rich man story, the Pharisees, the children, the disciples?
Read 10:32-34. Notice where they are going. Do you see the intentionality of Jesus actions? The cross was not a surprise to him. He is going to Jerusalem and this is the fourth time since chapter 8 that he discusses the coming events(8:31, 9:9, 9:31-32, now 10:38). Each time he gives more detail. What is included here in the description that was not included before?
Notice also the amount of space given to the Jerusalem events. More than 1/3 of the book of Mark deals with holy week. Obviously this is a central part of Mark’s gospel.
Read 10:35-45. This is the ultimate in “good works” theology. These two have given up all they have to follow Jesus and now they want the blessings Jesus spoke of in vs 30–they want privileged positions in the Kingdom of God. They probably knew something about the kingdom. After all, they were with Jesus when he was transfigured. So when they say they want to sit in glory with Jesus, they probably think they are right next to Moses and Elijah. They do accept that the Kingdom of God is at hand, even while Jesus is talking about death. But, they don’t understand fully what that means. Can you speculate on what motivates the disciples?
What do you think the cup and baptism are that Jesus speaks of? (remember in Gethsemane when Jesus asks to have the cup removed from him)
Although James and John do not understand what Jesus is saying or what will happen to them, Jesus knows and alludes to it. See Acts 12:2. Although Jesus has the power to remove the persecution and suffering, he does not remove his own or the disciples’.
This is a time when Jesus is teaching the disciples about the events to come, the nature of the Kingdom, their persecution, his crucifixion. It is a time to equip and encourage.
Why in vs 41 are the disciples indignant with James and John?
Jesus gives the lesson again on servanthood. Jesus as King, Son of God, could have demanded people serve him(bring him food, prepare a place for him at gatherings, welcome his into their home, give him gifts, etc), the way the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over people and exercise authority over them. Instead, he came to serve others. How has he been serving other people? How will he serve them in Jerusalem?
What then is Jesus saying in vs 43-44 about our lives? Who is our absolute leader? Who do we serve?
When we serve our neighbor how is it related to our service to Jesus? We can’t serve our neighbor by denying Jesus. Remember, when Peter rebuked Jesus, Jesus did not “serve” him by obeying his will. Jesus did not “serve” the Pharisees by obeying their laws. Serving God first defines how we serve others. Sounds like the 10 commandments! Explain.
Read 10:46-52. Notice Jericho is only a few miles from Jerusalem. Jericho is about 7 miles from the Jordan River and Jerusalem is a little further inland(maybe 20 miles).
Notice the approach of the various groups and people to Jesus–read 10:2, 13, 17, 46. Who has trouble getting to Jesus? Who doesn’t?
What does Bartimaeus address to Jesus show of his understanding of who Jesus is? What does he initially say that he wants from Jesus(vs 47-48)?
In the rest of the chapter, what did the disciples want? What did James and John want? the Pharisees? The children? What does Bartimaeus want initially? How does Jesus “serve” Bartimaeus?
What is the result in Bartimaeus’ life of Jesus’ act? Physically? Spiritually?
Interpret the Text:
1. Thinking about the rich young man narrative–We sometimes say “God loves the sinner but hates the sin.” We often misinterpret that to mean “cheap grace” as if God overlooks our sin and saves us even though we do not repent. We separate the person from the sinful act. Rather Calvin says “God sometimes is said to love those whom He neither approves nor justifies.” By that Calvin means God loves the righteous seed within them but rejects the person and their deeds. Discuss the difference in meaning.
2. What is “sin” as opposed to “evil?” What is the difference with regard to the law between the rich man and the Pharisees? The rich man recognizes God’s law and is struggling to keep it. He accepts God’s “norm” for life. At this point however, even though he recognizes the truth of what Jesus calls him to–he is convicted of his sin–he does not repent.
The Pharisees on the other hand, reject the law as the norm. Their law, which takes precedence over God’s commandments is the norm. They write the law. There is no question of them obeying God’s law. They do not accept God’s law. They are striving to obey their own law.
3. When Jesus speaks of his coming death and the persecution the disciples will face, is it clear that Jesus is “omniscient” all knowing as well as “omnipotent” all powerful? Who has power and authority even over the cross?
Bible Study Notes
Mark 10:1-12. Notice that as sacred as the parent-child relationship is, the marriage covenant takes precedence over the parent-child covenant. It does not nullify the parent-child and in fact in the 10 commandments, God holds up the importance of that covenant for one’s whole life. Nevertheless, marriage takes precedence.
Calvin explains Jesus’ statement in vs 5 saying that divorce was a protection for the uninjured partner. For example, if a man was going to commit adultery, or marry another woman, the certificate exonerated the wife as being chaste. It was a way of saying, “she has not committed adultery, she is faithful, I am the one who wants to commit adultery with another woman.” With a certificate of divorce the woman then was able to remarry. (Without the divorce, faithful wives may have been abandoned and rejected and were unable to remarry.) Notice in vs 11-12, it is the person who does the divorcing who then commits adultery, the other person, the spouse who did not seek a divorce is free to remarry.
Another way of looking at Moses’ commandment is not that he was condoning it, but observing that it goes on. Like saying, “when you run out into the street, you could get hit by a car.”
God creates new life through children, he also creates a new life through marriage. It is a new being that God joins together. Divorce is not consistent with God’s will as he created us.
Mark 10:13-17. Calvin uses this passage to support infant baptism. Even though the children don’t understand completely who Jesus is, their parents(who also may not completely understand) bring the children to Jesus to be blessed by him and welcomed into his presence and family.
Mark 10:17-22. Notice that Christ is not telling all of us to sell all we have and give it to the poor. If we did we would all be on the government dole. Christ is showing the man his covetousness. His refusal to sell all he has, shows his attachment to it.
Christ is also not saying that keeping the law can earn us eternal life. Christ is showing the ruler that while keeping the law perfectly would gain eternal life, no one in the “weakness of our flesh”(Calvin) is able to keep it. It is this realization that causes us to seek God’s grace. This is the “school teacher” purpose of the law. See the Westminster confession.
Mark 10:46-52. Once again the one who comes to Jesus for physical healing receives spiritual healing. Those that come in pride and self-sufficiency remain blind.
Jesus heals the blind who call him “Jesus(meaning savior), Son of David(king).” Now he goes to Jerusalem where rebellion nails him to the cross and blindness drives his friends away in fear. In blindness and rebellion all forsake and betray him.
This study first appeared in Theology Matters, Vol. 2, No. 5 (Sep/Oct 1996).
