Mark 10

What did I learn about Jesus?

Jesus came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
As a result of Jesus’sacrifice, we can enter the kingdom of God—for what is impossible with man is possible with God.

What did I learn about disciple-making?

Jesus taught his disciples that the way to lead was the way of self-sacrifice.
We are called to lead others by sacrificing for them out of love.

Extended thoughts and observations from Pastor Mark:

I’ve been dealing with a lot of broken marriages lately. It is heartrending, particularly because our culture…and even our church culture…makes it so easy. Jesus does not make it easy. As we fight for our marriages and those around us, we need to remember how seriously he treats the marriage vows.

Notice that the blessing of the children falls on the heels of his “blessing”of marriage. The two go together. Our culture’s redefinition of marriage provides the greatest danger here: that children do not have a mother and father.

Jesus “loved”the rich young man…who was so sincere…and so addicted to his money. The disciples could not believe that such an up-and-comer was not OBVIOUSLY saved for heaven. Surely his wealth was a sign of God’s blessing upon him. Nope, says Jesus. I can think of so many friends whose money trips them up. Can you?

The request of James and John is breathtaking…and almost a mirror image of what happened in the previous chapter. Jesus predicts his death and they, tone deaf as ever, immediately ask for him to grant them power. And we come to perhaps the greatest passage in Mark…and certainly the centerpiece of the gospel: 10:45. “Not so with you!” I love that line. We don’t care how power-brokers behave in this world. Jesus’disciples are servants and slaves to all…just as was Jesus. Notice repeat of theme from 9:35 and 10:31. How am I willing to serve and be last for the sake of others?

Finally, Bartimaeus…one of the heroes of the gospel. Stark contrast to the James and John request. He cries out to Jesus, leaves everything he has behind (cloak), calls him Son of David, ONLY place in Mark, and calls him “Rabboni”…only place in Mark. This “blind”man saw Jesus better than his own disciples did…and followed Jesus right down the road to Jerusalem…and his death.

May we SEE Jesus in the same way…trust him in the same way…exalt him in the same way…sacrifice for him in the same way…follow him in the same way.