July 16, 2023
Evening Service

A quick summary of Mark chapter 9

Peter, James, and John went with Jesus high on a mountain and Jesus was transfigured before them. His clothes were whiter than any launderer could make them and they shone brightly. Moses and Elijah met with him and they were talking, Peter then wanted to build three tabernacles there because it was good to be there. Then a cloud overshadowed them and a voice came from the cloud and said, “This is my beloved Son, Hear Him!” Then suddenly, they looked and only saw Jesus with them. As they departed, Jesus told them to keep this to themselves until he is raised from the dead. Then the disciples said, “Why is it the scribes say, Elijah must come first?” Jesus answered and said, Elijah has already come and they did with him as they pleased. Then there was a boy with a mute spirit that caused him to foam at the mouth, gnash his teeth, and become rigid. Jesus told the boy’s father that all things are possible if you believe, and the man cried with tears, Lord I believe; help me with my unbelief. Jesus came and commanded the spirit to leave the boy and not return. The boy convulsed and foamed at the mouth and became as one who is dead, then he took the boy by the hand and he arose. The disciples could not cast out this demon, so they asked why and Jesus said this demon could only come out by prayer and fasting. Jesus then foretells his betrayal, death, and resurrection on the third day. The disciples did not understand and were afraid to ask. Then came the dispute on the road of who would be greatest in the kingdom. Jesus said that if you desire to be first, then you must be last of all and servant of all. He then took a child in His arms and said whoever receives one of these little children in His name receives Him, and whoever receives Him receives not Him, but the One who sent Him. Then the disciples told Jesus they saw someone casting out demons in Jesus name and they forbid them to do it because they did not follow them. Jesus said do not forbid them, because if they work a miracle in His name, they cannot soon speak evil of Him. Then He said, whoever is not against us is on our side. Then Jesus said that if you give a drink to someone in His name, you would not lose your reward. Then he warns them if you cause a little one who believes in Him to stumble, it would be better to have a millstone hung around your neck and be thrown into the sea. Jesus continued saying if your hand, foot, or eye offends you, then cut it off. It is better to enter life maimed, lame, or with one eye than to have all parts and be cast into hell fire.

Teaching About Divorce

Mark 10:1  Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again. 

Mark 10:2  The Pharisees came and asked Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" testing Him. 

Mark 10:3  And He answered and said to them, "What did Moses command you?" 

Mark 10:4  They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her." 

Mark 10:5  And Jesus answered and said to them, "Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 

Mark 10:6  But from the beginning of the creation, God 'MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE.' 

Mark 10:7  'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, 

Mark 10:8  AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 

Mark 10:9  Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." 

Mark 10:10  In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. 

Mark 10:11  So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 

Mark 10:12  And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

Wherever Jesus went, the people would gather after him in multitudes and he would teach them. Teaching and preaching was the main focus of Jesus while on the earth. The Pharisees again tested Jesus pertaining to the matter of divorce. Jesus asked them, “What did Moses command concerning divorce?” They answered and said Moses gave permission to write a divorce certificate and dismiss her. Jesus showed them the reason why Moses' law allowed divorce, it was not allowed to just give permission; it was only because of the hardness of their hearts. Therefore, God himself joined man and wife together; he has equipped them to be comfort and help for each other. The bond that God joined between a man and woman, man should not divide into pieces. Jesus went on to say, if a man divorces his wife or vice versa, adultery is committed. Something to think about here for those wishing to put away their wives or vice versa, consider our state of readiness if God dealt with us in the same way. 

Let the Children Come to Me

Mark 10:13  Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 

Mark 10:14  But 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. 

Mark 10:15  Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." 

Mark 10:16  And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Some people brought their little children to Christ, so He would lay hands on them, thus blessing them. These particular children were not in need of a healing or a cure, nor were they of the age to receive teaching. The people simply believed the blessing of Christ would do good for their souls; so through their faith they brought them to Him. Jesus said to let the little children come to Me, and nothing should be said or done to prevent it. Jesus was adamant about having childlike faith in service to the Lord, and that unless your faith is like this; you will not enter the kingdom of Heaven. As parents or guardians, we need to guide children to the Savior as soon as they are able to understand His words. In addition, we must receive the kingdom of God as little children or we will not enter into Heaven. Our faith and trust in Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer by His grace must be wholehearted and all in, it must be as little children are with their parents, teachers and healthcare personnel, they believe without question.

The Rich Young Man

Mark 10:17  Now 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?" 

Mark 10:18  So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 

Mark 10:19  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.'" 

Mark 10:20  And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth." 

Mark 10:21  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." 

Mark 10:22  But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

This young man was searching for the kingdom that will last forever with sincere and intense conviction. He asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life and addressed Him as Good Teacher. Jesus spoke back to him and asked, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. Jesus then said, you know the commandments and mentioned them and the young man reported he has kept them all since an early age. He then spoke to him at the heart of the matter, there is one thing he lacked, sell all he had and give it to the poor, then take up your cross and follow me, then he would have treasure in Heaven. This was something that brought sadness upon the man, because he had many material possessions. This brought on a sorrowful parting of company between Jesus and this young man. Jesus wanted his willingness to bear a present tense cross, in order to have expectations of future crown. The young man had hoped he could be a follower of Christ upon easier conditions. He went away grieved that he could not lay hold on eternal life, and keep a tight hold of his worldly possessions.

Matthew 6:24  "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

The important verb in this passage is to serve.

 

Mark 10:23  Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" 

Mark 10:24  And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 

Mark 10:25  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." 

Mark 10:26  And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" 

Mark 10:27  But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible." 

Mark 10:28  Then Peter began to say to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You." 

Mark 10:29  So 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, 

Mark 10:30  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. 

Mark 10:31  But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

Jesus spoke to His disciples about the difficulty involved in receiving salvation when a person has copious amounts of wealth in this world. Those who aggressively pursue riches in worldly wealth, will never rightly value Jesus and his grace. In addition, we can see another side to the valuation of our salvation, when a person has very little wealth and will still choose to leave all behind and follow Christ. This would be for those people although they are not rich in worldly wealth, they may have to leave loved ones, friends, and relatives in order to serve God. When we have rightly valued Christ and His great work on Calvary for our behalf, we should then be in expectation of suffering for Him until we reach the kingdom of heaven. We are encouraged as believers in Christ to be content in whatever state we find ourselves, this literally means with little or much to let our lives glorify the Lord Jesus until He comes again! Let us pray to receive Jesus’ strength and power to part with all, if required, and to use all we are given and allowed to keep in His service. 

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

Mark 10:32  Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And 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: 

Mark 10:33  "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; 

Mark 10:34  and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again." 

The Request of James and John

Mark 10:35  Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask." 

Mark 10:36  And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?" 

Mark 10:37  They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory." 

Mark 10:38  But 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?" 

Mark 10:39  They said to Him, "We are able." So 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; 

Mark 10:40  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." 

Mark 10:41  And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 

Mark 10:42  But 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. 

Mark 10:43  Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 

Mark 10:44  And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 

Mark 10:45  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 continuing with his great work for the salvation of mankind, was, is, and will be, the amazement of all His disciples. Honor as viewed in a worldly manner is something seen as impressive, the eyes of Jesus's own disciples have many times been amazed. Our concerns must be that we may have wisdom through grace to know how to suffer with Him; and we may trust Him to provide any glory attributed to us. Jesus showed them that ruling over people was generally abused in the world. If Jesus would grant all our desires, it would soon show that we desire fame or authority, and would be unwilling to taste of His cup, or to have His baptism. God in His wisdom knows that man would often be destroyed by having our prayers answered. Fortunately, He loves us and only gives His people what is good for the betterment in our walk with Him. 6

Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

Mark 10:46  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. 

Mark 10:47  And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 

Mark 10:48  Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 

Mark 10:49  So 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." 

Mark 10:50  And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. 

Mark 10:51  So 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." 

Mark 10:52  Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

Bartimaeus had heard about Jesus and his miracles performed, and finding out that he was coming by his way, hoped to by healed of his blindness. When we go to Christ, asking for help and healing, we should acknowledge Him as the promised Messiah. The gracious calling Jesus speaks to us to come to Him, initiates hope, that if we come to Him we will have what we come for. When we come to Jesus, must cease thinking we are self-sufficient, our sins, which held us in bondage, were the blockade that kept us in our life’s troubles. We are dependent upon Jesus to meet our needs, grant us our help and hope, and to keep us from evil. Bartimaeus pleaded to Jesus that his eyes be healed of the blindness that afflicted him. It makes people feel respectable to be able to earn our living in this world; and where the good Lord has given men the appendages and senses, it is shameful by either laziness or indiscretion we make ourselves lame or blind. Bartimaeus’ eyes were opened and Jesus said his faith has made him well. Wherever the gospel is preached, or the written words of truth are printed in circulation, Jesus is passing by, and this is the opportunity to come to Him! When we come to Jesus for the spiritual healing only He can give, we must not only accept Him, but to continue following him. We must willfully follow and honor our Lord as Lord of all, and continually ask for His guidance and instruction for our life. Those of us, who have had our spiritual eyesight opened, see Jesus as one who loves us more than any other and we gravitate toward Him to seek after Him until the day He comes again. We have a spiritual race to run with our Lord and the book of Hebrews says it like this:

Hebrews 12:1  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

Hebrews 12:2  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.