Mark 10

Mark 10 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson

                This chapter is the last in chapters 8-10 of Jesus heading to Jerusalem.  This is a rather long chapter with 52 verses.  The topics range from divorce and remarriage, children and receiving the kingdom, the rich young ruler the difficulties of being wealthy and going to heaven, the cost of the cross, sitting on the right and left hand of Jesus, and healing a blind man.

                In the first section on divorce, see Matt 19:3ff also.  Some claim that Mark can stand alone, and others claim Matthew’s exception clause is the intended teaching of Christ.  Our confession teaches that according to Matthew 5:32, 19:9, and I Corin 7:12-16, a person may divorce and remarry for two reasons: porneia (sexual immorality) and desertion.  This teaching needs time, thoughtful and careful distinctions, and grace.  But we should never lose sight of the central teaching of Christ, “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

                The next section is where Christ welcome the children and claims the only way to enter the Kingdom is to receive the Kingdom as a child.  As William Lane clarifies, “The Kingdom may be entered only by one who knows he is helpless and small, without claim or merit.  . . . The unchildlike piety of achievement must be abandoned in the recognition that to receive the Kingdom is to allow oneself to be given it (Commentary, p. 361).  Notice the emphasis in this chapter on the kingdom of God in v. 14, 15, 23, 24, and 25, “a greater concentration than in any other part of the gospel (Commentary by R. T. France, p. 386).

                Next is the intriguing story of the rich young man ( Matt 19:16-30; Luke 18:18-30).  There is so much to commend about this young man: he asked the right question, and he asked the person.  He seemed to want to know but then when he heard the correct answer, he had a higher loyalty.  Notice that Jesus loved him in v. 21.  This should be out attitude toward unbelievers.  But notice that love did not prevent but prompted Jesus to say the right thing to this man.

                This incident precedes these words by our Lord, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God” v. 23.  The disciples are so troubled by this and Jesus doubles down on the inability for anyone to be saved apart from the saving power of God.  The disciples seem to be dumbfounded.

                If that is not enough, Jesus tells them a third time that he is going to the cross.  He mentioned the cross  in Mark 8:31 uAnd he began to teach them that vthe Son of Man must wsuffer many things and xbe rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and yafter three days rise again.”  and 9:31 “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, xafter three days he will rise.”  In chapter 10, there is more information and more graphic and detailed information.  “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will xcondemn him to death and ydeliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will zmock him and aspit on him and flog him and kill him. And bafter three days he will rise.” 

                There are more than one type of spiritual blindness.  Unbelievers are in the dark about their soul, sin, God, and salvation.  There are those who think they are Christians because they believe some of the Biblical doctrines but do not trust in Christ alone.  Then, there are those, who believe but because of many factors, do not see the significance of certain truth.  This is where the disciples are and where believers are prior to a revival.  You and I are here as well.  What if we understood the significance of what we believed?  What if we had one correct thought of heaven and hell and fully understood the consequences?  What if we could understand the grace of God even double what we do know? Then we would probably reach .05% of genuine understanding of God’s grace

                We need to continue to pursue Christ in the means of grace: attending to the Word and Sacrament in worship, Bible study and reading, in prayer, and fellowship.  Encourage yourself and others to keep pursuing God during these unusual times.  Don’t waste your time but exert yourself.  If you can’t attend service or specific events, make sure that you are still involved in reaching out to others.  Find ways to encourage others to follow Christ.

                Father, I am like James and John.  I think too much and too highly of myself.  I ask for things for myself that I don’t really understand.  I am also like the other disciples.  I want to glory but do not want the cross.  I think it is fine that others deny themselves, pick up their cross and follow you.  I fail to see the need for denying myself.  Help me to understand how the cross in central not just for my salvation but all of my life.  May Your Spirit help me to pick up my cross and follow You.  You can do all things.  Show Your power in my weakness.  Help me to put service over self.  In Christ’s name, Amen.