Category: Uncategorized

Mark 10:32
The disciples knew that Jesus was entering dangerous territory by going to Jerusalem again. They were afraid to follow him, wondering what might happen when they got there. Although this is a testament to their fear and apprehension, it does point out for us a very interesting thing. Jesus walked ahead of them on this occasion. So, how did it work out when they went to other places and the disciples were not so afraid?
On other occasions, its most likely that Jesus told them where they were going before hand. He probably did the same this time. But, on other occasions he would simply walk with who ever needed teaching at the time. The group, not being apprehensive, would walk along with their own pace, with some in the lead.
What a contrast this provides for us! On other occasions Jesus would be ministering to their needs. He would be teaching them, prodding them to move on in their understanding of the truth. But on this occasion, when he needed them the most, they were afraid to go with him. Is that not how we all are on occasion? We enjoy Jesus teaching, and we love to hear the truth, but when it’s time to follow him to the difficult places, we’re not sure we want to go.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness to us! Thank you that you love us no matter where you lead us. We can trust you even when you’re going in a direction that we wouldn’t go. Thank you for coming along side of us teaching us the truth. You love us so much! Thank you for that love you give to us in Christ. Thank you for Jesus, and his patience with us. You have done so much, we will submit to you. We love You Father. In the name of Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 10:31
This is such an important concept. The rewards we will experience in this life and the next for our service to Christ will not work the way we might think. What does Jesus mean? How will the rewards work? Well, you can look to Jesus’ teaching elsewhere to find the answer. Some will have little and do little with it. Others will have much and do little with it. These will not be as richly rewarded. Those who do much with what they have been given will experience the greatest reward, regardless of how much they may have. Richness in the things of this world is not the only consideration, or even the primary one. A person’s knowledge of the Holy One, and what they do with it, is of great value.

Heavenly Father, thank you for being the best at deciding these things. Our petty standards would never work out. You have a perfect line by which to evaluate us. You can show us the true measure of our lives. You alone can give us value and meaning. You are our meaning and purpose. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 10:30
Christians find family in the church. There is such a bond found among the followers of Christ as to be like family. This does not mean that our blood family must be replaced by our Christian brothers and sisters. It just means that we have two families. When the one fails us, or is far away, we have the other.
In this life, regardless of the rewards, there will be persecution. But the eternal life is waiting for us.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the kinship we have in Christ! Thank you for always looking out for us. We know that that eternal life is ours through Christ in spite of persecution down here. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 10:29
What does Jesus have in mind here? What exactly does he mean by ‘leaving’ these things and people? Well, for an example, Paul seems to have had a wife at some point, but not during his ministry. Though we do not know, it may be that she left him because of his conversion. Peter we know had a wife and he spent a lot of time away from her it seems while following Christ.
So, this can mean one of several things. However, this does not require that all or any of these have to be left. It just means that in all likelihood, some or all of these will have to be left. The cause of Christ calls for a surrender to him, and that includes our location and loyalties.

Heavenly Father, it is so easy for us to forget that it is you that gives us these people in our lives to begin with. If your service necessitates leaving them, we should be willing to obey. Thank you for the blessings that we have in our lives becuase of the people that you have put in them. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 10:28
We could be really hard on Peter here, but his question was not as out of line as we might think. Jesus’ answer does not contain any correction, and the question was very connected to the context of this incident. So, really, it was good thinking on Peter’s part. Obviously, there may have been selfish reasons to ask it. But, I don’t really think that was the primary motive. Peter seems to be truly curious about the matter in light of Jesus’ teaching in regards to the rich.

Heavenly Father, thank you for answering our questions. It is easy to lose patience with those who are constantly asking questions. But, you never do. You guide us to the truth if we want it. You give us wisdom to understand things if we ask for it. How nice! We could never thank you enough. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 10:27
Notice that Jesus doesn’t correct the disciples. They are thinking nobody can get saved if rich people can’t. Well, if the basis for salvation is anything other than the grace of God, then the answer is yes, nobody can get saved. And that is what Jesus wants his followers to understand.
So, only by the grace of God is anyone able to be saved. This is why Jesus doesn’t modify the disciples words. He confirmed that it is an impossibility for us to be saved. But God is in the impossibility business.

Heavenly Father, thank you for making the impossible possible! May we never get over the miracle of salvation. That you have made your grace available to us is so wonderful. You give freely, and you really love us. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 10:26
Well, the disciples got the implication of Christ’s words. But, they still failed to get the theology of it. They understood that Jesus was describing an impossibility. But they couldn’t get themselves out of traditional Jewish thinking. In their minds, if the rich couldn’t be saved, there was no hope for anyone!

Heavenly Father, your creation is amazing! It is so wonderful to be able to see the trees and the birds, and all of the glorious things you have made. Thank you! I will praise your for your infinite wisdom. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 10:25
Much conjecture has surrounded this verse. This is due to our attempts to understand the illustration Jesus gives here. Several have said that the ‘eye of a needle’ refers to a particular type of entrance. This would be a smaller one-person size entrance located near the main gate. The idea was that one could get a camel through it, but only with great difficulty.
However, I think this type of explanation is unnecessary. As we see in the next few verses, Jesus is describing an impossibility, not an improbability. So, to understand the eye of a needle as exactly what it is will not hurt the meaning in the least. It is completely impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. It is completely impossible for anyone, by their own effort, to enter into the kingdom of God. This is consistent with what Jesus had already been teaching in this passage.

Heavenly Father, may we never fail to understand our dependence upon you. You are the one we look to for everything. You are the only one who has the answers. It is only by trusting Christ completely that we can hope to enter into heaven. Without him, our salvation would be an impossibility. Thank you for salvation in Christ! The name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Mark 10:24
Why the repitition? Well, the disciples had quite a bit of trouble with this teaching for one thing. But, also, Jesus was making a big deal out of it too. He really wanted them to get this. The Jews naturally thought that rich people were righteous becuase they assumed that God would not bless them so much if they weren’t. Jesus, on the other hand basically preaches this guy into hell.
And why? Does Jesus just not like rich people? On the contrary, Jesus had several rich friends. He simply wanted his followers to understand that salvation would not be based on riches, or works of the law. Salvation is based on our acceptance of Christ. Following him is the requirement. And this is the vitally important point that Jesus wants us to understand.

Heavenly Father, thank you for making your Word clear to us. The illumination of your truth by the Holy Spirit is a great blessing to our souls. You never give us anything we don’t need. That’s an amazing thought! Your time is spent giving us what we need, even if we don’t see it that way. You show us how we should live. May we always be witnesses for you of what you have done for us. We must spread your truth to the world. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 10:23
This is a very significant teaching of Christ right here. It shows us that there will be many that never make it to heaven simply becuase of perceived comfort in this life.
There is a great danger in thinking that we are safe. This is not to say that the Lord would have us life lives filled with worry and care. But, freedom from such anxiety comes with entrance into the kingdom. So, before salvation there needs to be some healthy worry about the destiny of our souls.

Heavenly Father, help us to understand your comfort. So often in this world we seek comfort in all the wrong places. There is a great lack of understanding that you have our best at heart. You are going to bring us to a place of contentment, but by the road less traveled. You are the one who brings us to yourself. Thank you for drawing us, for with our natural tendency to find comfort in sin, we would not come to you on our own. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.