MARK LESSON 20

     We will begin this lesson in Mark 10:1

     Mark 10:1 "And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts
of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto
him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again."

     Many of the things Jesus taught, like in the last lesson, was
taught to the disciples.  We see, here, that Jesus had come back out
among the people near Judaea.  It was on the other side of Jordan from
where He had been at Peter's home in Capernaum.  The people saw Him
and came to Him to be taught.

     Mark 10:2  "And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it
lawful for a man to put away [his] wife? tempting him."

     The Pharisees were always there to agitate.  Their desire was to
trap Him.  This is a question that many are asking even today.  There
were provisions made in the law for divorces under certain
circumstances.  Many take advantage of the provision made for special
cases and decide that you can divorce for any reason at all.  Either
way Jesus would answered, someone would be unhappy.

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

     When they tried to trap Jesus, He answered their questions with a
question, and that was just what He did here.  They were so caught up
in the law that Jesus asked them what Moses had commanded.

     Mark 10:4 "And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of
divorcement, and to put [her] away."

     In the account of this same thing in Matthew, Jesus said that
marriage was God's plan for one man and one woman to marry and be one
flesh.  Divorce was not part of God's plan.  Multiple marriages were not
His way either.  Moses gave them the bill of divorcement, because of
their short comings.  It is better not to marry in haste, and regret at
leisure.

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

     "Precept" means rule, injunction, or doctrine. Possibly, this whole questioning came about to make Jesus look bad in Herod's sight.  Herod had married Herodius, his brother's wife.  If Jesus came against divorce, it
would make Him look bad to Herod. Jesus put the blame quickly on them for desiring a divorce, because of their hard hearts.

     Mark 10:6 "But from the beginning of the creation God made them
male and female." Mark 10:7 "For this cause shall a man leave his
father and mother, and cleave to his wife;"  Mark 10:8 "And they twain
shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh."
Mark 10:9 "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put
asunder."

     We see, here, that Jesus reverted back to the original plan of God
when He made mankind:  male and female.  The plan of God, as we said
before, was for these two (a man and his wife) to become one flesh.
They were now a family.  Children who came from this marriage were from
them both.  Marriages should be made in heaven.  We should pray and
ask God for our mate.  If God is not the center of the marriage, it
will not work.  Each should seek the happiness of his partner before
his own.  There is nothing more wonderful than a marriage where two
people love each other and love God, but there is nothing worse than a
bad marriage.

     Mark 10:10 "And in the house his disciples asked him again of the
same [matter]."

     The disciples, like the Pharisees, had not received a clear message
on this matter, so they asked the Lord again.

     Mark 10:11 "And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his
wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her."  Mark 10:12
"And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another,
she committeth adultery."

     These Scriptures, here, show that wives and husbands have equal
rights in divorce.  She is the sinner if she puts away her husband,
and he is guilty if he puts away his wife.

     Mark 10:13  "And they brought young children to him, that he
should touch them: and [his] disciples rebuked those that brought
[them]."

     Whether this touch of Jesus was so that He might pray for them, or
whether it was like a Patriarchal touch is not clear.  At any rate, it
would be a blessing to be touched by the Lord Jesus.  The
disciples rebuked them, because they felt Jesus was wasting His time on
these youngsters.  They, probably, thought Jesus should be taking care
of more weighty matters.

     Mark 10:14 "But when Jesus saw [it], he was much displeased, and
said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid
them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."  Mark 10:15 "Verily I
say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a
little child, he shall not enter therein."

     Jesus was disturbed by what the disciples said and quickly said
in answer, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid
them not".  Small children, I believe, should be encouraged, not
discouraged, to come to God.  If a child makes a commitment to God
early, it can save him from much sin in his life.  Sometimes, if a
child is turned away early, it causes him to stray, and sometimes he
never comes back.  The Lord loves the innocence of children.  A child
receives the Lord humbly.  That is what we must do, also.  We must
humble ourselves and realize that we must depend entirely upon the
Lord if we make it to heaven.  The simplicity of children's faith is
what we must have.  We must not complicate our lives with things of
the world, but must receive Jesus as our Lord, as well as our Saviour.

     Mark 10:16 "And he took them up in his arms, put [his] hands upon
them, and blessed them."

     This is what the Lord wants to do for all of us and especially
the children.  He wants to touch us and bless us.

     Mark 10:17  "And when he was gone forth into the way, there came
one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what
shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

     In Matthew, this man was called a "young man"; and in Luke, he was
called a "ruler".  This man was, probably, waiting to catch Jesus as He
left the house.  He immediately humbled himself (kneeled).  His
question was sincere.  He called Jesus "good master" out of respect.
His question is one men have asked for thousands of years, "What
should I do that I may inherit eternal life?"  We are all aware of the
temporary condition of this life.

     Mark 10:18 "And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good?
[there is] none good but one, [that is], God."

     We know that Jesus was good and is good, but we also know that He
is God the Son.  Perhaps, Jesus was saying here, do you believe that I
am God in the flesh?  Jesus was trying to get him to focus on God and
his need for God.

     Mark 10:19 "Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit
adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness,
Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother."

     Jesus did not stop by telling him that only God was good, but
went immediately into the commandments.  Jesus was aware this young
man knew of these laws of God.

     Mark 10:20 "And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these
have I observed from my youth."

     We see from this, that this young man was of good morals.  Just
good clean living will not get us into heaven though.  There is more
than just good clean living that gets us to heaven.

     Mark 10:21 "Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto
him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast,
and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and
come, take up the cross, and follow me."

     We see from this, that this young man had a god that he must lay
on the altar to receive Jesus as his Saviour.  This statement, here,
is not for everyone to do but just for those who are in love with
their money.  Whatever your god is, is what you are required to lay
down.  Jesus invited him to follow Him.  If we follow Jesus, there is a
cross to bear.

     Mark 10:22 "And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved:
for he had great possessions."

     You see, this man's possessions were his god.  He gave up eternal
life for his worldly possessions.  God would not have required his
money, if he had not been in love with his money.

     Mark 10:23  "And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his
disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the
kingdom of God!" Mark 10:24 "And the disciples were astonished at his
words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how
hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of
God!"

     Pride goes many times with riches, and love of money causes men
to sin.  The lust for money is of the flesh.  To love the things of
this world drives heaven farther away.  Notice in V-24 exactly where
the sin is.  The trust in riches instead of God is the sin.  Putting
anything ahead of God could cause a person to miss heaven.

     Mark 10:25 "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a
needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

     This could be associated with the needle's eye where a camel has
to kneel to go through.  God will not cause you to miss heaven because
you are rich, but He will cause you to miss heaven, if you put your
money ahead of God.

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

     It was thought by the Hebrews that a wealthy man was wealthy
because God blessed him as He did Abraham, David, and Solomon.  You
can see how they would be so amazed.

     Mark 10:27 "And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is]
impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."

     You see, Jesus did not say a rich man could not be saved, He said
it would be hard.  God looks into the heart.  Rich and poor who have 
pure hearts and who depend on Jesus Christ as their Saviour will be saved.









                          Mark 20 Questions


1.  As soon as Jesus came to Judaea, what did the people do?
2.  Why did they come to Him?
3.  What question did the Pharisees ask Him?
4.  Why did they ask Jesus this?
5.  What question did Jesus ask them in answer?
6.  What way out had Moses given to them?
7.  Man and woman married are to be one ________________________.
8.  Why did Jesus say Moses had allowed divorce?
9.  A man shall leave his mother and father and _________________
    ___________________    _________________   __________________.
10. Why did the disciples ask Jesus the same question?
11. In verses 11 & 12, we find that man and woman are equal in what?
12. Why did they bring the young children to Jesus?
13. What did the disciples do about the children?
14. How did Jesus feel about the disciples attitude?
15. Jesus said, if you are to enter the kingdom, it must be as a
    ____________________          __________________.
16. Why is it important to come to Jesus at an early age?
17. In verse 16, Jesus did what to the children?
18. The man, who ran and kneeled at Jesus' feet, asked what of Jesus?
19. What shows that he humbled himself?
20. Who is the only one good?
21. What did Jesus tell the young man at first?
22. What did the young man answer?
23. What did Jesus tell him he lacked?
24. Why was this required of him?
25. What did the young man do?
26. What did Jesus say that astonished the disciples?
27. In verse 24, what one word was added to clarify what Jesus meant?
28. What is it easier for a camel to do than for a rich man to enter
    the kingdom of heaven?
29. What question did the disciples ask Jesus?
30. With God ____________________________ things are possible.

                                 Notes