Mark 10:13-16 (NIV) People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
o Questions:
· Do you see the humor in this verse based on what has just occurred (in the last chapter)?
· What do children teach us?
· Why should we not hinder children?
o NOTE: You know, it is really hard not to laugh at times while reading about the disciples in scripture. They are so much like us, so much like me. Jesus specifically had just used a child as an example of welcoming and serving others (9:36-37), and here the disciple are rebuking people for bringing their children. Do they not listen? Probably what happened, is that when Jesus welcomed the child in 9:36-27, the word got out that Jesus was lifting children in his arms (implied that he was blessing them from this section), and all the parents started to bring their children for Jesus to hold (and bless) -- who wouldn't want that? The disciples reasoned that Jesus had only used the child to teach a principle and never intended to start a "children's ministry," so they start rebuking the parents. But Jesus had a different view, he enjoyed blessing children. Verse 14 says that he was indignant or mad at his disciples for refusing to let the children come near him.
o Children aren't perfect and they have the same sin disease as an adult. But children believe what their parents tells them. They are innocent, in many ways. The view life with wonder and excitement. Their faith is simple but real. We could learn a lot by imitating children: having simple faith, accepting God's word, and viewing life with wonder and excitement. Instead, most of us struggle with a very complicated faith that needs to have all its questions answered, we don't believe God's word especially when we don't get what we want or we feel let down by God, and we have a cynical or foreboding view of life, expecting the worst of life and people, because that is what we always see.
Mark 10:17-27 (NIV) As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" // 18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good — except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" // 20 "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." // 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." // 22 At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. // 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" // 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "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." // 26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" // 27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
o Questions:
· Why does Jesus question the man for calling him good?
· If the man answers Jesus correctly concerning the law, why does Jesus add an additional requirement?
· Why are the disciples so shocked?
o NOTE: There is so much in these verses. First, Jesus questions the man to why he calls Jesus good and tells him that no one is good but God alone. He was of course right (in calling Jesus good, but for a different reason), but Jesus was causing him to think. Next the man wants to inherit eternal life, and Jesus reminds him of the law. When he says he has obeyed the law since youth (apparently he had not heard the sermon on the mount), Jesus tells him to sell everything and follow him. Jesus knew his nerve. Why does Jesus add to the list that he already pronounced was sufficient? Because of the first point, no one is good but God alone. The disciples rightly wonder then how anyone could be saved. They were right in their conclusion -- no one can be saved. Jesus says it clearly, "with men this is impossible." Salvation is not possible based on human works. But God was about to make salvation possible through the death of his son. And oh, Jesus is good, because he is God.
Mark 10:28-31 (NIV) Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!" // 29 "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields — and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
o Questions:
· Why do we serve? What should our motivation be?
· Why does God promise reward?
o NOTE: This verse counters the argument that the new covenant (NC) does not provide temporal, physical blessings. Jesus says that we will in fact receive a hundred times what we have given up. God does bless the giver. But the NC also adds persecutions. And the NC blessings may not be realized until the age to come, eternal life.
o Still, a major difference of the NC, is the attitude of the heart. W don't give up things, or serve people, or financially support things because we believe that we will receive a reward for it. We do it out of love for the Savior, and are willing to wait for out reward in eternity (though that is not our motivation).
o But God has blessed us enormously already here on earth. We live in a country of abundance. We have food, shelter, and so much more. We should be so grateful. We never want to take it for granted.
Mark 11:1-11 (NIV) As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.'"
4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
"Hosanna!" // "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" // 10 "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" // "Hosanna in the highest!"
11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
o Questions:
· Why the donkey?
· Why does Mark and the other gospels writers include the triumphal entry? (recognize Messiah and then reject him)
· Why is Jesus ultimately rejected?
o NOTE: There are a number of ways to view this passage. We can dismiss the con artist view. Another view, would be a miracle, but that to me seems too close to the con artist view. The view that makes sense is that Jesus previously made arrangements with the owner of the donkey, because he intended to fulfill the prophecy (or at least make a statement with the symbology). In that case the fulfillment of the prophecy is a message to the people who witnessed the event.
o More importantly is that the people clearly recognize him as the Messiah, yet under the influence of the leadership (who have already rejected Christ), they too reject him (only days after recognizing him). An interesting thought follows, Matt 11 records the rejection of the leadership after the observation and interrogation phases, and their resulting conclusion -- he is really Satan. The final rejection is from the people, also after recognizing the reality of his claims. The leadership recognized the claims in the Messianic miracles; the people, through the whole life history, and announce that fact in the triumphal entry. Later, they decide to reject the Messiah at the trial.
o Why did the leadership and the people reject Jesus? The leadership reject because he is too opposed to the traditions, and he will upset their apple cart. I'm not sure why the people reject yet. It may be hinted at here -- the coming kingdom. The people reject because he does not appear able to bring down the Romans, and in fact allows himself to be placed under the authority of the Gentiles. If Jesus can not free himself from their power, how can he possibly free a nation.
Mark 11:11-18 (NIV) Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard him say it.
15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written:
"'My house will be called // a house of prayer for all nations'? // But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"
18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
o Questions:
· Why the fig tree? How does it fit with the story?
o NOTE: I wonder if the fig tree is a picture of the final days. God comes looking for fruit from his people, but he finds no fruit. I'm not sure how the season fits in to the story. Because there is no fruit, the fig tree is not allowed to produce any fruit for anyone. Likewise, Jesus enters the temple, but they are not producing fruit but rather using faith as a means to get rich. Consequently, the kingdom is taken from Israel and given to the Gentiles for a time. The Pharisee response confirms this, because they would rather kill their savior, then stop getting rich off the faith.
o It is very important to never get to the point where I misuse faith, either for riches or fame. Both are very wrong. I want to always be a humble servant who God can use for His glory.
Mark 11:27-33 (NIV) They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?"
29 Jesus replied, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John's baptism — was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!"
31 They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' 32 But if we say, 'From men' . . . ." (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
33 So they answered Jesus, "We don't know."
Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."
o Questions:
· What did the Pharisees believe about Jesus, and how does it influence the question?
o NOTE: It really is a simple question. It is the same question as they asked Jesus, with the same circumstances. Either it is from God or not. They had already concluded that Jesus' power was from Satan. The questions were only traps, reasons to accuse him of a crime. Jesus authority was derived from God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Authority derives from authority. Therefore, there was no higher authority that could have validated Jesus' authority. Of course, being God, is the definition of authority. It is inherent in the nature of God, and does not need to be transferred or assigned. The validation at Jesus' baptism or on the mount of transfiguration is for our benefit. It does not change the reality of the truth, Jesus is God.
We skip the parable of the tenants, which like the fig tree, is clearly aimed at the Jewish people
Mark 12:12-13, 34b (NIV) Then they looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.
13 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. ...
34b And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
o Questions:
· What are some of the questions that you have heard people say that they will ask God, if he exists, when they reach heaven?
o NOTE: Things are heating up. The leaders are upset with Jesus' teaching because it is pointed at them. So, they now try to trap him with a series of questions about taxes, the resurrection, and the most important commandment. Jesus answers amaze the questioners to the point that they give up on this line of attack.
o The funny thing is that many today believe they have the question that Jesus cannot answer and that if God and heaven exists, they will spring their question, and God will be forced to allow them in, since there question is so good or such a valid point, that how could they not believe in light of it. Sadly, their question will be answered in a way that is amazing, and they will receive nothing for the cleverness. This is a good verse to remind people as they throw their questions out or as they feel Christians today can't answer their question. It is a good apologetic opening example ...
Mark 12:24-27 (NIV) Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? 25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 26 Now about the dead rising — have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!"
o Questions:
· Why the hypothetical question?
· What technique does Jesus use in his approach to the Sadducees?
o NOTE: There is so much to like about this passage. Jesus answers the hypothetical question, although he could have dismissed it for that reason. He also answers the real question, not the smoke screen question that proceeded it. In the answer to the first question, he gives us insight which was not available to us (although he hints that it is in scripture). In the answer to the second question, he uses logic to prove the Sadducees wrong. The interesting point, is that the Sadducees used logic and "what they could see and touch" to come to their position. They discounted the miraculous and the unseen and came to a faulty conclusion. Science and logic are great, and God expects us to use them and pursue them; but discounting the miraculous and unseen will lead to a great mistake.
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