Mark
Lesson 10Mark Chapter 10
From our last lesson, we know that Jesus and his disciples have returned to Capernaum. Along the way, he again told them that he would be crucified and resurrected; but they still did not understand. In the course of this lesson, Jesus will leave Capernaum for the last time and begin his journey back to Jerusalem. Along the route, he will pass through many places that he had previously visited, once again teaching as he goes. In these last days before Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, he will teach about divorce and marriage, allowing little children into the kingdom of God, and the folly of putting your faith in riches. His last lessons will address discipleship, i.e., what it’s like to be a disciple of Christ, the rewards of following Him, and what the essential meaning of discipleship truly is. Following these teachings, he will perform one last miracle—that of healing the blind. He uses this as a way of teaching everyone the effects of following his teaching, i.e., opening our eyes so that we can see.
Let’s read Mark Chapter 10 and consider the following:
- In Mark 10:1-12, Jesus responds to a question about divorce. The Pharisees were constantly trying to "test" Jesus, to trap him by their questions; and as we see in these verses, nothing has changed. Jesus, as he does on many occasions, responds to the Pharisees’ question with one of his own. Specifically, they asked him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" What does Jesus tell them in pointing to Moses and Genesis 1:27?
- In Mark 10:13-16, Jesus again teaches about an important "kingdom principle." What is the lesson that he is trying to teach? Is it only about children, and why is he using children to teach it?
- Next, Jesus turns his attention to an idol that is with us even today—wealth: the accumulation of things that we put our trust in. It may be our 401(k), our home, our job—perhaps it’s a boat, or stock that you own. Whatever it is, Jesus has a clear teaching for us today about the ability of the wealthy to enter into heaven—and yes, we are all wealthy at one level or another. Be careful where you put your faith. Why did Jesus tell the man to sell everything that he had, and to give it to the poor? Are all of Jesus’ followers commanded to do that? Why were the disciples "amazed" when Jesus told them that it was easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God?
- Jesus next turns his teaching to discipleship. Read Mark 10:28-31. What does Jesus say are the rewards of following him, i.e., of being a disciple of Christ?
- He then pulls his twelve disciples aside, and tells them about what was coming next as they followed him. (see Mark 10:32-34) What did he tell them?
- Jesus then uses a question from James and John to teach the disciples the essential meaning of discipleship. What is it? (see Mark 10:35-45)
- Approaching Jericho, Jesus and his disciples meet a blind man, Bartimaeus, who is sitting by the side of the road begging. Jesus heals this man, and Mark ends this section with this miracle. Why?
Closing this lesson, we’ve now observed Jesus travel the Galilean countryside across ten chapters. We’ve seen him teach us many things and accomplish many miracles. Starting in our next lesson, Mark Chapter 11, Mark will turn our attention to the last week of Jesus’ life. Jesus has taught his disciples all that he can prior to arriving in Jerusalem; he has told them three times about his impending death and resurrection, and he has planted the seeds of his ministry that will allow the church to grow rapidly following his death and resurrection. Geographically, in our next lesson, we will be heading to Jerusalem from Jericho with Jesus and his disciples; Jesus will enter Jerusalem on "Palm Sunday," and we will spend the next seven days of his life with him. What an exciting part of our study of Mark awaits us!
Have a great week everyone!
In Christ,
Wes
[2017]