Mark 10

The Explanation

Mark 10 is a chapter full of scenes. It is as if you are walking along with Jesus and see five different things happen, one after the other.

First, some Pharisees come to Jesus with a tricky question about divorce. They want to test Him. Jesus does not just answer with a rule. He goes back to the very beginning, to how God made people and marriage. He says that marriage is meant to be strong, and that God binds a man and a woman together.

Then parents come with their little children. They want Jesus to touch them. The disciples try to send them away, as if Jesus does not have time for that. But Jesus becomes angry. Really angry. He says: let those children come to me! God's Kingdom, that is where God is King, belongs exactly to such people. He takes the children in His arms and blesses them.

Then a rich man runs up to Jesus. He kneels down and asks how he can receive eternal life. He has kept all the commandments, he says. Jesus looks at him and loves him. And then He says something hard: sell everything, give it to the poor, and follow me. The man walks away sad. His money is too dear to him.

Jesus then says something strange: a camel goes more easily through the eye of a needle than a rich person into God's Kingdom. The disciples are shocked. Who can then be saved? Jesus answers: with people it is impossible, but with God everything is possible.

On the road to Jerusalem, Jesus tells for the third time that He is going to die. Yet James and John immediately ask if they may sit next to Him in His glory. The other disciples become angry. Jesus explains that being great with Him is different. Whoever wants to be great, must serve.

Finally there is Bartimaeus, a blind beggar in Jericho. He calls out for Jesus. People try to silence him. But he calls even louder. Jesus stops and heals him.

What Does This Mean?

In this chapter you see who Jesus really is, and how different His Kingdom is from what people expect. Adults ask difficult questions to test Him. Rich people find it hard to let go. Disciples fight over the best seats. But children just come, and a blind beggar simply shouts. And those are exactly the ones Jesus welcomes.

Jesus turns everything upside down. Whoever wants to be first, must be last. Whoever wants to be great, must serve. And He does it Himself first. Verse 45 is a key sentence: "the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

The Common Thread

The whole chapter points to the cross. Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem. He knows what is coming: mocking, spitting, dying. And yet He walks ahead of the disciples, out in front. He is not a king who takes from people, but a King who gives Himself. A ransom means: a price to set someone free. Jesus paid that price for people who could never do it themselves. That is what He meant by: with God everything is possible.

The rich man could not let go of his money. Bartimaeus threw his cloak away and ran to Jesus. Which of the two is truly rich in the end?

For You

Being like a child, that is what Jesus praises. Not childish, but trusting. Just coming, without first showing that you are good enough. You do not have to prove anything to Jesus. You may come as you are.

And then that other question: what is your cloak? What do you hold on to so tightly that it is in the way? For one it is a game, for another being right, for another popularity. Jesus does not ask that to hurt you, but because He wants to give you something better.

Try this week to serve someone without anyone seeing it. A small thing. Cleaning up for your sister, helping your mother without being asked. That is how God's Kingdom looks.

Talk About It

Why do you think the rich man walked away sad, even though Jesus loved him?

Bartimaeus shouted even louder when people wanted to silence him. Have you ever kept going with something, even though others said stop?

Praying Together

Lord Jesus, thank You that we may come to You just as we are, like children. Help us to let go of what is in the way. Teach us to serve, as You served. And when we cannot see clearly, hear us when we call. Amen.