Mark 10 Commentary
We have two difficult lectures in this chapter. First: the lecture on divorce. Second: the lecture on what it takes to enter the kingdom of God. Both are hard for the disciples. They should be impossible for outsiders!
But we are glad the Pharisees asked. Our own arguments can be settled. Marriage is between a man and a woman. Forget any other combinations, regardless. It is a unit that represents the perfect will of the Father.
This is no child’s play! Yet the kingdom of God is for them that are like children – like children in innocence, easily forgiving, easily learning, easily accommodating others, or easily trusting and depending on their father (Father).
The rich man has two masters: God and money. He wants to serve both. It is a problem that the LORD Jesus seeks to solve. He puts it straight to the rich man; God (Jesus) or money, not both. His choice isn’t shocking but it reveals the inner heart of a person. If God cannot be more important than money then know you have a huge problem. Don’t cheat yourself. Know you haven’t loved God with all your heart…
Jesus’ direct charge to the rich man is on repeat to each living soul. Loose a sinful income and come and follow me. Loose a lucrative but sinful deal and come and follow me. Accept losses on your ego, status, friends, family, or vanity, and come and follow me. What is your choice?
A difficult choice? Deception is the currency of this world. You won’t probably get by without it. Look around you and see that your conclusion is right: you cannot make it through this world without corruption. But this impossibility is God’s possibility. Underline this thought. You can make it with God! With God, you will make it without that lie, that sinful income, sinful promotion, deception, or that wicked relationship!
For the third time, Jesus tells His disciples what it means for Him to be the Messiah. He has to die.
Then comes James and John and their request. So misplaced! But we understand. The transfiguration and everything else happening, won’t it just be the right time to ask? Looks like jostling for positions in the kingdom of God! No wonder the rest of the team is upset with James and John – like they, themselves aren’t guilty of a feeling of defeat to James and John! Both teams are sat down for yet another lecture.
The chapter closes with the miracle of sight. Blind Bartimaeus sees. In the midst of noises and commotions of this world, let the blind shout even louder. Jesus can hear them. And they want to see, they can see.
More often than not it comes down to this simple question, “Do you want to see?”
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