Marcos 10

Marcos 10

Stedman - One of the pastors visiting us here this week was telling me about his congregation. He said, "I have a number of wealthy people in my congregation, and they trouble me, because" as he put it, "they dabble with Christianity." That is often true. I know of many wealthy Christians, and I find that it is rare to find one who is truly committed to obeying the Word of God. Most go along only to a point. Thank God there are some who do obey. God has reached them. I do not know how he does it, but only God can do it. He can break through, and he does, at times. Sometimes he creates in them a tremendous distaste for things and makes them so aware of an emptiness and hunger within that they lose all interest in affairs of business and wealth and money and, feeling the hollow mockery of it, like this young man, they begin to search out the realities of life. Sometimes a man has to suffer catastrophe -- almost lose his family, or get sick, or have some other disaster occur, before he begins to see things in their right perspective and comes to Christ in that way. I could tell you story after story of how God has worked to open rich men's and women's eyes to bring them back to the truth, and to show them the only way that ever has been provided. And isn't it interesting that if a rich man does come to Christ, he must come in exactly the same way as the poorest bum on skid row! He has to acknowledge his complete and utter need, and come as a guilty sinner, wretched and miserable and vile, and receive the gift of life at the hands of Jesus from the cross. There is no other way to come -- no other way! Rich men have to come that way, too. There is no special way provided for them, except the way that God has made for all. (The Plight of the Overprivileged) Sean O'Donnell describes how God's Spirit used Jesus' teaching about the rich young ruler to push him through the eye of the needle! It was nearly twenty years ago that God, in his infinite and irresistible grace, used this very story in this very Gospel as one of the means of converting me to Christ. For the first half of my life I was told and believed the most common religious lie-that I was basically a good person who occasionally sinned, but did nothing that would ultimately disqualify me from one day entering the joys of eternal life. But then the Holy Spirit taught me what should have been obvious-I was a sinner. Not a good person who occasionally sinned, but a sinner (at heart a very bad person) who was in a continual state of rebellion against a good God and his good Law. I didn’t love God. I didn’t love others. And I certainly loved myself. But it wasn’t just the first half of this passage but also the second half that the Lord used to change my mind and heart and will. I knew that God alone was perfectly good. I believed that Jesus was indeed the Son of God and the Savior of the world. But at that time in my life he was never my Savior. He was never my Lord, the supreme Lord of my life. And as I prayed to Christ those many years ago and asked him to forgive me and to clean me up on the inside, I also (with this passage in mind) told him (in so many words) that I would “sell everything,” that I would put him first in my life-first above self, first above family, first above career, first above education, first above sports, first above every aspect and every love of my life. I told him I would be last, and he would be first! (See Matthew: All Authority in Heaven and on Earth - Page 554). Impossible (without strength) (102) adunatos from a = without + dunatós = possible, able, or powerful from dunamai = to be able or have power by virtue of inherent ability and resources. Note the stem duna- or dyna- conveying the basic sense of ability or capability, power, strength, might) means impossible, incapable of being or of occurring, incapable of being done. ADUNATOS - 10V - Matt. 19:26; Mk. 10:27; Lk. 18:27; Acts 14:8; Rom. 8:3; Rom. 15:1; Heb. 6:6; Heb. 6:18; Heb. 10:4; Heb. 11:6 Possible (1415)(dunatos from dunamai = referring to power one has by virtue of inherent ability and resources; see study of dunamis) means powerful, able, strong. Able describes that which has sufficient or necessary power, means, skill, or resources to accomplish an objective. We saw this same word earlier in Mark 9:23+ "And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If You can?’ All things are possible (dunatos) to him who believes.” DUNATOS - 32V - Matt. 19:26; Matt. 24:24; Matt. 26:39; Mk. 9:23; Mk. 10:27; Mk. 13:22; Mk. 14:35; Mk. 14:36; Lk. 1:49; Lk. 14:31; Lk. 18:27; Lk. 24:19; Acts 2:24; Acts 7:22; Acts 11:17; Acts 18:24; Acts 20:16; Acts 25:5; Rom. 4:21; Rom. 9:22; Rom. 11:23; Rom. 12:18; Rom. 15:1; 1 Co. 1:26; 2 Co. 10:4; 2 Co. 12:10; 2 Co. 13:9; Gal. 4:15; 2 Tim. 1:12; Tit. 1:9; Heb. 11:19; Jas. 3:2 QUESTION - What does “with men this is impossible” mean? ANSWER - On His final journey to Jerusalem before His death, Jesus encountered a rich young man who asked what he must do to receive eternal life (Matthew 19:16–30). Jesus took the opportunity to teach His disciples about the dangers of acquiring wealth and possessions, which can often hinder one’s faith. Anything that gets in the way of our commitment to following God must be forsaken (see verse 21). When Jesus stressed how hard it was for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of heaven, the disciples were utterly astounded. They had adopted the prevailing belief that wealth was evidence of God’s favor. “Then who in the world can be saved?” the disciples asked (verse 25, NLT). Looking at them intently, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26, NKJV). Jesus presented the key to salvation. In and of themselves, humans do not have what it takes to enter the kingdom of heaven. A person may possess every earthly blessing but remains powerless to save himself. Salvation is God’s gift alone (Romans 5:15–16). Riches tend to make us self-reliant, self-centered, and distracted by worldly pursuits. We put too much confidence in ourselves and our wealth and lose our childlike trust and reliance on the goodness and mercy of God. Nonetheless, it is humanly impossible to earn our way or work our way into heaven: “But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life” (Titus 3:4–7, NLT). When Jesus said, “With men this is impossible,” He meant that it is only by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ that a person can be saved (Ephesians 2:4–9; see also Acts 15:11; 16:30–31; Romans 3:21–24; 5:1–2; 11:5–6). Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6; John 10:9; Hebrews 10:19–20; 1 Timothy 2:5). “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Belief in Jesus changes what is humanly impossible into unlimited possibilities with God. Through faith in Jesus Christ, mere mortals receive “the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” (John 1:12–13). As God’s children, we receive the indescribably good gift of eternal life (John 3:15–16; Romans 10:9; 2 Corinthians 9:15). Job and others in Scripture asked similar questions as the disciples, “How then can a mortal be righteous before God? How can one born of woman be pure?” (Job 25:4; see also 1 Samuel 6:20; Job 4:17–19; 9:2; 15:14–16; Psalm 130:3; Psalm 143:2; Malachi 3:2; Revelation 6:17). Apart from the Lord’s intervention, becoming righteous before God is hopeless. With men, this is impossible! But with God, “we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory” (Romans 5:1–2, NLT). With men this is impossible means there’s no place in God’s kingdom for boasting about our own righteousness (Romans 3:27–30; 1 Corinthians 1:28–31). The apostle Paul expounded, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” (Galatians 2:20–21). Paul continued, “As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died” (Galatians 6:14, NLT). With men this is impossible affirms that any form of self-justification is useless. We can’t buy our way into heaven or work our way into God’s kingdom. The believer’s only hope of salvation—his only confidence in drawing near to God—is in God Himself, with whom all things are possible. Norman Geisler - see When Critics Ask - MATTHEW 19:26—Is anything impossible for God? PROBLEM: According to this verse, “with God all things are possible.” However, Hebrews 6:18 declares that “It is impossible for God to lie.” SOLUTION: The context in Matthew indicates that Jesus is speaking of what is humanly impossible, whereas, Hebrews informs us that some things (e.g., lying) are actually impossible for God. Note that in the former passage, Jesus said, “with men this is impossible,” indicating that He was only speaking of what was humanly impossible, but not divinely impossible. However, there are some things that even God cannot do. For example, He cannot do anything that would contradict His nature, such as, cease being God, or be unholy, or do what is logically impossible (like making a square circle, or forcing people to freely love Him). God cannot make a stone so big that He cannot lift it, since the created cannot be greater than the Creator. However, God can do anything that is possible to do. He is all-powerful (omnipotent), the “Almighty” (cf. Job 5:17; 6:14; 42:2). Mark 10:28 Peter began to say to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You." Behold: Mk 1:16-20 Mt 19:27-30 Lu 14:33 18:28-30 Php 3:7-9 Mark 10 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 19:27+ Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” Luke 18:28+ Peter said, “Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You.” FOLLOWING JESUS - WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME? Peter began to say to Him - "The absence of any connecting participle is in keeping with Peter’s sudden, impulsive outburst. Began to say indicates that his comment turned the discussion into a new direction." (Hiebert) Behold (idou) we have left (aphiemi) everything and followed (akoloutheo) You - Matthew adds "what then will there be for us?” This reminds us our modern phrase "What's in it for me?" Peter is a bit brazen (in my opinion) using the interjection "Behold," as if the Lord might have difficulty listening to his declaration! Peter may have been prompted by the rich young ruler who was unwilling to leave everything and follow Jesus. The idea of left is that they in a sense "sent everything away," that they yielded it up, that they had abandoned all to follow Jesus. He was not incorrect for we see their abandonment of all in Mark 1:18, 20+. Kenneth Wuest on left (aphiemi) - The verb is aorist, speaking of a once for all act. The “we” of course are the Twelve. Peter and John left a lucrative fishing business, and Matthew, a rich source of income from his tax-collector’s office, to become the disciples of a poor itinerant preacher. Peter’s question was in effect, “What reward will we get for having become poor for your sake?” The spokesman of the disciples showed by his question that they were still thinking in terms of material rather than spiritual riches. Peter’s act of abandoning his preaching commission to go back to his fishing business, shows that this tendency still clung to him even after the resurrection of our Lord (John 21:3). (Borrow Mark in the Greek New Testament for the English reader - page 206) Followed you is a synonym for discipleship and here is in the perfect tense indicating they began to follow at a point in time in the past and are still following in the state of discipleship. The idea is that the disciples had made an irrevocable decision to leave all they had, and forever, and to follow with the Lord permanently. (HAVE YOU CROSSED THAT BRIDGE DEAR READER?) This reminds me of the Chris Tomlin song "No Turning Back." I will follow you I will follow you No turning back No turning back No turning back No turning back This is my heart cry Though none go with me The cross before me The world behind me This is my anthem My life for your fame My every move bring Glory to your name We have left (863)(aphiemi) means to send off or away, let go, abandon, leave behind, give up. Uses in Mark - Mk. 1:18; Mk. 1:20; Mk. 1:31; Mk. 1:34; Mk. 2:5; Mk. 2:7; Mk. 2:9; Mk. 2:10; Mk. 3:28; Mk. 4:12; Mk. 4:36; Mk. 5:19; Mk. 5:37; Mk. 7:8; Mk. 7:12; Mk. 7:27; Mk. 8:13; Mk. 10:14; Mk. 10:28; Mk. 10:29; Mk. 11:6; Mk. 11:16; Mk. 11:25; Mk. 11:26; Mk. 12:12; Mk. 12:19; Mk. 12:20; Mk. 12:22; Mk. 13:2; Mk. 13:34; Mk. 14:6; Mk. 14:50; Mk. 15:36; Mk. 15:37 Mark 10:29 Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, there is no one: Ge 12:1-3 45:20 De 33:9-11 Lu 22:28-30 Heb 11:24-26 for My sake and for the gospel's sake: Mk 8:35 Mt 5:10,11 10:18 1Co 9:23 Rev 2:3 Mark 10 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 19:28+ And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. Luke 18:29+ And He said to them, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, THE BEST R.O.I. RETURN ON INVESTMENT Jesus said, "Truly (amen) I say to you - The amen adds Jesus' note of authority and finality, His "so be it." "this formula of solemn affirmation calls upon the Twelve to fix their attention on and accept what He now declares." (Hiebert) There is no one who has left (aphiemi) house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms - No one (oudeis) means absolutely no exceptions to the following promise to those who abandon all for His call! This is a glorious promise that deals with giving up temporal, material for eternal, spiritual. O God open our eyes more and more to this glorious promise from Jesus' lips! Amen Note the things Jesus mentions are all very strong ties on this earth, not just possessions but people (and Luke 18:29+ adds "wife"). D Edmond Hiebert has an interesting note that "The disjunctive or implies that not all have been required to leave all of them. Life is not mentioned since none of them had as yet faced the challenge of martyrdom. (The Gospel of Mark: An Expositional Commentary) Swete “The sacrifices contemplated embrace all the material possessions included under the three heads of home, relatives, and property … Without doubt the relations which the Lord offers ‘now in this time’ in place of those which have been abandoned for His sake are the spiritual affinities which bind the members of the family of God.” For My sake and for the gospel's sake - Here is the motive for this radical action. This abandonment is selfless and focused on the Savior and His life saving Gospel. Hiebert - The words reveal Christ’s high consciousness that He and the gospel were distinct yet inseparable. Morison well said, “Without Him the gospel would be nothing; without the gospel men would know nothing of Him.” “For the gospel’s sake” may imply that they had left these things in order to proclaim the gospel, the good news. (The Gospel of Mark: An Expositional Commentary) Mark 10:30 but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. a hundred times: 2Ch 25:9 Ps 84:11 Pr 3:9,10 16:16 Mal 3:10 Mt 13:44-46 Lu 18:30 2Co 6:10 9:8-11 Php 3:8 2Th 2:16 1Ti 6:6 1Jn 3:1 Rev 2:9 3:18 with persecutions: Mt 5:11,12 Joh 16:22,23 Ac 5:41 16:25 Ro 5:3 Jas 1:2-4,12 5:11 1Pe 4:12-16 eternal: Joh 10:23 Ro 6:23 1Jn 2:25 Mark 10 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 19:29+ “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. Luke 18:30+ who will not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life.” Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you (HERE IS THE "QUALIFIER") because of Me (See Paul's "commentary" in Col 1:24+). 12 “Rejoice (present imperative see need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) and be glad (present imperative), for your reward in heaven is great (WE HAVE TO WAIT BUT THE WAIT WILL BE WORTH IT...FOREVER!); for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. THE BELIEVER'S HOPE: PRESENT AND FUTURE but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms - How is it believers receive a hundred times as much now? This may at times be material blessings in this life, but far more important and likely Jesus refers to the spiritual blessings believers receive in this short time on earth. E.g., Paul wrote of these hundredfold blessings in (Eph 1:3+) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." "Material blessings are not the experience of all godly believers, but the joy and abundance of the larger Christian family experiences are!" (Utley) Along with persecutions - Note persecutions is plural not singular! It is usually not "one and done," but sometimes comes at us in waves like the rain bands associated with a hurricane making landfall -- downpours, lapses, more downpours, etc. This phrase is like an addendum, one most of us wish Jesus had not added! It is as if Jesus said "Yes, you will be greatly blessed, but don't forget part of the "blessing" will be persecution." We like the "presents" but not the "persecutions" and yet it comes as "package deal" as we say.