📅 February 14: Mark 10 - The Price of Discipleship

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February 14: Mark 10 - The Price of Discipleship

The Call to Servant Leadership & the Definition of True Riches.

Introduction

In Mark 10, we see Jesus redefining conventional wisdom, challenging societal norms, and reshaping our understanding of success.

Jesus and the Little Children (Mark 10:13-16)

Jesus emphasizes the value of childlike faith and humility. He makes it clear that the Kingdom of God belongs to those who possess such qualities.
Key Verse: “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:15)

Jesus on Divorce (Mark 10:2-12)

Jesus takes us back to God’s original intent for marriage and emphasizes the permanence of the marriage covenant.
Key Verse: “What God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Mark 10:9)

The Rich Young Man (Mark 10:17-27)

A rich young ruler seeks eternal life but struggles to surrender his earthly riches. Jesus reveals that true treasure lies beyond material possessions.
Key Verse: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25)

Key Themes and Reflections

1. True Wealth: Earthly riches, although attractive, will not earn us a ticket into God’s kingdom. Instead, we must pursue spiritual wealth by being generous and obedient to God’s commandments.
2. Servant Leadership: Leadership in God’s kingdom contrasts starkly with secular power dynamics. It calls for service and selflessness.

Today’s Application

Are we clinging onto our earthly riches, unwilling to let go and fully trust in God? Let’s reassess our priorities and seek true riches in Christ.

Hidden Gem

In Mark 10:29-30, Jesus unveils the “hundredfold promise.” It reveals that whatever sacrifices we make for Christ’s sake will be rewarded exceedingly in this life and the next.

Reflective Q&A

What does childlike faith look like?:
A: A childlike faith represents utter dependence, trust, humility, and receptiveness.

Why must we redefine success?
A: True success lies in fulfilling God’s will and becoming followers of Christ, not just admirers.

How does Jesus redefine leadership?"
A: According to Jesus, true leadership means becoming a servant and humbling ourselves.

Join the Discussion

What kind of “riches” are you pursuing? Share your reflections on today’s reading.

See You Tomorrow in Mark 11
We’ll delve into Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Don’t miss this powerful moment in Jesus’ ministry. Join us in our journey through the Scriptures tomorrow.

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Mark 10
This chapter records the Lord’s final departure from Galilee. It sets out: [1] Final departure from Galilee: v. 1. [2] A dispute on divorce: vv. 2-12. [3] Yahshua blesses the children: vv. 13-16. [4] A rich young ruler instructed: vv. 17-22. [5] The disciples instructed: vv. 23-27. [6] The reward of self-sacrifice: vv. 28-31. [7] Yahshua warns of his impending death: vv. 32-34. [8] The thoughtless petition of Zebedee’s sons: vv. 35-40. [9] Disputes between disciples: vv. 41-45. [10] Blind Bartimaeus and his companions healed: vv. 46-52. He knew he was entering the last days of his ministry, and “set his face to go to Jerusalem” where he would be offered as the antitypical Passover Lamb. Mark leaps forward in his account, omitting much that is supplied by Luke and John after the Lord left Galilee. The Lord was immediately challenged by the Tempter (v. 2) in the form of the Pharisees on the matter of marriage – an issue much debated in the various schools of the Jews. The Lord pointed that any rupture to the marriage covenant was on the grounds of “hardness of heart,” hardly a divine characteristic. But the Master reminded the people of the original divine transaction in Eden, and urged the upholding of that principle. Indeed the Lord was going to Jerusalem to prepare himself to obtain a Bride out of sacrifice (such as typically experienced by the sleep and operation of Adam in the beginning), and would demonstrate the immutability of the covenant in being raised to immortality. Thus he warns the apostles of his impending death (vv. 32-34), providing eight points of his humiliation and triumph: [1] Betrayal into the hands of the chief priests; [2] Condemned to death; [3] Delivered over to the Gentiles; [4] Mocked; [5] Scourged; [6] Spat upon; [7] Killed; [8] Resurrected. Every item found its fulfilment in the events recorded. Then came the thoughtless petition of Zebedee’s sons, whose minds were so filled with pictures of Messianic glory, that they could not conceive of the shame of the stake of Golgotha, and doubtless (like the other apostles, save Judas) gave Christ’s words a parabolic meaning (cp. Lk. 18:34; 19:11). They would share the cup with the Lord (v. 39) as did the apostles in the Upper Room in Jerusalem, but the divine determination as to those who would be on his right and left hands remained unrevealed (v. 40). This suffering was associated with one on the left and the right, and so it will be again in the Day of Judgment (Mat. 25). But in all the turmoil of the times, there was the example of one young man (vv. 17-22). “Yahshua loved him” and urged him to “follow me” (v. 21). This wealthy, young man had a very serious and proper attitude to the Law and the commandments. He had observed them from his youth. He had the earnest, generous, enthusiasm of youth as yet unpoisoned by the sophistication, the intrigue and jealousy that sometimes accompanies middle age. There was an openness about him as he kneeled before the Lord (v. 17), a becoming modesty as he answered him (see Mat. 19:20), an enthusiastic zeal as he came running (Mk. 10:17). There was not in him the pride of riches, nor the self-sufficiency they engender, nor the pride of conscious moral purity, nor the formalised hypocrisy of the Pharisees. All that he had heard and seen in Yahshua quickened to greatest intensity his desire to serve him. But the Master’s look into his heart was more searching. He knew what was required of the young man more clearly than he did. He could detect depths of wickedness and need (not yet developed) that the young ruler never knew existed. Thus his advice to seek earth’s poverty and heaven’s riches. With clouded face the young man heard what he lacked (v. 21). In Christ he saw what he needed. But he departed very sorrowfully for his rich home. Did he become a poverty-stricken man? A deep and sincere follower of the Lord Yahshua, who knew not where to lay his head? A man of works as well as of understanding? One who gave a “willing offering” without restraint or consideration of reward? What of the future? Who knows? Christ loved him.

Some additional comments: “When Yahshua taught, many didn’t want to hear the truth and stopped listening to him; they stopped following him because of the high standards they were called to attain. He wasn’t welcome in their Synagogues; he wasn’t welcome in their towns. We read about the rich man who devoted his life from his youth to the obedience of the Law in keeping the Ten Commandments. When Messiah told him something was lacking, he would have been quite surprised! His facial expression changed! In calling the man to give up his wealth and follow him, Jesus gave him the opportunity to show his true devotion to Deity. Instead, this rich man reveals that he has, indeed, actually violated several of the Commandments! He has placed his wealth at a higher level of importance than his obedience to Deity and in actuality above Deity, Himself! In our case it may be something entirely different. It is not just about money; it may be skills, talents, or intellect. What is it that we have placed above Deity? Salvation is not dependent on our abilities for there is always something to which we can’t attain, and something we wouldn’t give up, and not even know it! We need to be on guard about mere formalism (keeping the Law in this case, which couldn’t save because it is beyond us to do so perfectly) no matter how sincere we think we are in doing what we do for Deity. Yahshua loved (agape) the man, and willed for him to be saved. Yahshua loved his people. I feel this love and his compassion in the very words of his prayer over Jerusalem – ‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem.’ Yes, his love exuded even to those who crucified him praying for their forgiveness for doing what they did - unknowingly. The lesson for us concerning the rich man is profound!” (Sis. Mello) — Logos