MARK - CHAPTER 10 - WITH GOD, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

MARK – CHAPTER 10 – “With God, Nothing Is Impossible”

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

March 7, 2023, the Year of Our Lord

Pastor Carolyn Sissom

This chapter is packed with Gospel truths which theologians have interpreted into their own belief systems. Let us see how much trouble I can get into with religious ideologies developed systematically by men (people). This chapter covers many of the culture failures of the 21st century.

Mark 10: 1a: Then He (Jesus) arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan…

Jesus left Capernaum, on the shore of Lake Galilee. Judea was a Roman province that included central Israel with Jerusalem at its center. Jesus, leaving to go into Judea, began the journey to His destiny, to be crucified in Jerusalem. The reason this is important is in Judea, he is in the jurisdiction of Herod Antipas, who had John beheaded. Now the Pharisees are coming to test Jesus in hopes of setting him up to be put to death.

MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE

Mark 10: 1b-9: Multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again. The Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” testing Him. He answered and said to them, what did Moses command you? They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her.” Jesus answered and said to them, "Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation, God “made them male and female. For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh,” so, then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate."

By vision, the Lord showed me that just as the man and the woman are living entities in Heaven, so the marriage is a living entity in heaven.

Since the mid-1960’s many Christian homes have been touched by divorce. In verses 26-27, after the disciples have heard all the things Jesus is teaching, they asked, “who then can be saved?” Jesus replied, “with men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

In this passage, Jesus places the responsibility of divorce squarely on the husband. With His question to the Pharisees, He draws out that Deut. 24: 1-4 allowed a man to divorce his wife, provided that the man safe-guarded his wife by writing out and giving her a certificate of divorce which would enable the woman to establish herself, as necessary --- that her divorce had been formal and official, and that she was perfectly free to marry someone else.

In the mid-90’s, I was ministering to a group of men and women who were either standing for their marriages, or had moved on and accepted their certificate of divorce. One lady who came up for prayer, the Lord spoke to me that He had declared her marriage dead.

Jesus clearly states divorce does not represent God’s absolute will, but because of the hardness and perversity of the human heart, it is permitted. God’s original intentions for marriage are stated in Genesis 1:27 and 2:24, which depict the marriage bond as indissoluble.

Mark 10:10-12: In the house, His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. He said to them, "whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. If a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

Matthew 5:32 and 19:9 gives more grace. Whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery.

Lev. 20:10 and John 8:5, state those who committed adultery were required to be put to death. Therefore, the marriage vow would be severed, thus not requiring a certificate of divorce.

However, Jesus withstood the stoning of the woman caught in adultery because we assume by his writing in the sand, all her accusers were also adulterers.

John the Baptist accused Herod of adultery. He condemned Herod’s divorce and marriage to Herodias. She availed herself of Roman law to sever her relationship with Philip to marry Herod Antipas.

JESUS BLESSES LITTLE CHILDREN

I decree to the Public School system of the United States: “Do not forbid the children to come to Jesus!”

10:13-16: Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. When Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. He took them in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

The Christian Church in the United States is very compassionate to children. We welcome little children in our service. We invite them to worship freely with us. By Jesus saying, such is the kingdom of God; and we cannot enter the kingdom of God unless we become as a little child, He is not saying we are to be childish. The characteristics of children are trust and receptiveness. Children receive without any thought of merit or desert on their part. By adopting this childlike humility, we can then appropriate the blessedness of the Kingdom of God.

JESUS COUNSELS THE RICH YOUNG RULER

Mark 10:17-22: As He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, “why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Do not defraud. Honor your father and your mother." He answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me". He was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Perhaps we could say the rich young ruler’s approach to Jesus was ingratiating and not sincere, since he had kept all the law of Moses. Perhaps we could say even though he had kept all the Law, that he was spiritually dissatisfied and was sincere in His request. Perhaps he had heard that Jesus was preaching that there is eternal life after death.

It would go against Jewish custom to address Jesus as “Good teacher.” Jesus reminded him that only God is good. The young man was completely unaware of Christ’s divine nature. Yet in verse 20, he calls Jesus, “Teacher.” Could it be a key that instead of saying “Thou shalt not covet.” Jesus said, “Defraud not?”

Yet, Jesus loved him. We can hope that supernatural love will later cause the young man to count the cost of salvation and decide to follow Jesus.

It is obvious to us that the young man’s riches were more important to him than God. We know for a certainty the Lord blesses and increases those who do not set their heart on money, but set their heart on Jesus. We will all be tested in our hearts concerning money. I have never been asked to sell all that I have to follow Jesus, for Jesus has given me all that I have. All that I have is His.

WITH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

Mark 10: 23-31: Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "how hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were astonished at His words. Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 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." They were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.” Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time --- houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions --- and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, the last first."

Whether the proverb of the “eye of the needle” refers to a small; and narrow gate in Jerusalem; or the camel references a certain type of cable-rope, the spiritual principle is the same, "enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Mt. 7:13-14).

Life is a continual walk of daily choices. Either we choose God and His way, or we choose our way which will lead to destruction.

To enter into the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven means more than just our salvation, Our salvation is wonderful! The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is wonderful, but the walking in the Spirit will be a participation in God’s principles. The principles of God’s kingdom are not the principles of the world. Greed is conquered by generosity. Promotion is given to the humble. The power of God’s Kingdom is found in the Holy Spirit.

2 Co. 12:10: I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I can say from my own life testimony, if the rich-young-ruler had been able to trust Jesus and give all his riches to the poor, he would have reaped a 100-fold for all he gave. Also, do not do this unless the LORD should speak to you and tell you. With such a sacrifice, you would also have a confirmation. The same is true when we give Him our life for ministry. It will be confirmed, and the joy will be so great that riches could never purchase it. Yes, there is a cost for following Jesus, but oh the benefits are out-of-this-world.

JESUS’ DEATH FORETOLD THE THIRD TIME

Mark 10: 32-34: Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them, and they were amazed. As they followed, they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him. "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles. They will mock Him, scourge Him, spit on Him, and kill Him. The third day, He will rise again."

The disciples were afraid. After Jesus resists the Pharisees about God’s principle of divorce, the disciples are starting to get the idea, “John was beheaded for saying the same thing. We may be in danger.” But Jesus doesn’t try to calm them, but gives them the facts of the worst of it. He gives them the additional information that the Jews will use the Gentiles to have Him put to death. He gives them specifics of what He will suffer. That He will rise again on the third day is still a foreign concept that they are not able to visualize or apprehend.

GREATNESS IS SERVING

The disciples still have no clue that greatness will be on the other side of the Cross and the cost of their greatness will be to follow Jesus all the way. If Jesus is going to die, James and John are jockeying for their place in His will. They are applying for a front row seat. What they are going to get is a leadership role in the establishing of Messiah’s Kingdom on earth. It will come at a cost higher than their imaginations can comprehend.

Mark 10:35-45: Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” Jesus said to them, "what do you want Me to do for you?" Their reply, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, “We are able.” Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it is prepared." When the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

JESUS’ BAPTISM The “cup” is metaphorical of suffering. The “baptism” is also Jesus’ baptism of suffering unto death on the Cross.

Luke 12:50: I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished.

Eph. 4:4-5: There is one body and one Spirit…one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

We have received by experience the baptism of water for the remission of sins, baptism of the Holy Ghost, baptism of fire, and some have been baptized in the presence of the Cloud. What was Jesus’ baptism that his apostles would also be baptized in?

They had all received the baptism of John, as did Jesus to fulfill all things.

Acts 19:4: Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

Romans 6:4-6: Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

We are all baptized into Jesus, His death, His burial and His resurrection. Jesus told James and John that they would drink from his cup and be baptized with His baptism. James was killed with the sword (Act. 12:2) and John was exiled to the island of Patmos.

BARTIMAEUS RECEIVES HIS SIGHT

This is a beautiful story of blind Bartimaeus recognizing Jesus as the Messiah who would cause the blind to see.

Mark 10: 46-52: Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” Throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. Jesus answered and said to him, “what do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Jesus said to him, "go your way, your faith has made you well." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

Jesus is now deep in Herod’s territory. In New Testament times, Jericho was built by Herod the Great and his son, Archelaus (Mt. 2:22). It stood south of the O.T. city by that name and west of the present one.

Bartimaeus was among the first of those outside the ranks of the apostles who are recorded as having proclaimed Jesus to be the Messiah. Son of David by which he addressed Jesus was specifically Messianic. He would know the promises of the prophets:

Isa. 146:8: The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; the LORD raises them that are bowed down. The LORD loves the righteous.

Isa. 35:5: Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Jesus did not command him to refrain from proclaiming his Messiah-ship, as He had done to the demons.

Carolyn Sissom, Pastor, Eastgate Ministries Church, 10115 West Hidden Lakes Lane, Richmond, TX

www.eastgateministries.com

Scripture from N.K.J.V. – I entered into the labors of F. F. Bruce Bible Commentary, Stephen S. Short. Comments and conclusions are my own and not meant to reflect the views of those who I entered their labors.