MARK LESSON 21
We will begin this lesson in Mark 10:28.
Mark 10:28 "Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left
all, and have followed thee."
This statement of Peter's was right after the rich young man had
turned his back and walked away, because the Lord told him to sell
what he had and give to the poor. We discussed that the wealth was
not the sin. The sin was that the young man loved it more than he
loved God. We, also, heard Jesus say that it was difficult for someone
of great wealth to be saved and then immediately say, though it might
be impossible for man, all things are possible with God. Peter, in the
statement above desired to know where his own position with God was.
Peter was a fisherman, and he left his boat, nets, and family and
followed Jesus.
Mark 10:29 "And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you,
There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or
father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and
the gospel's," Mark 10:30 "But he shall receive an hundredfold now in
this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and
children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come
eternal life."
This leaves no doubt, if you give up worldly things on this
earth, you will inherit eternal life. These great promises of
abundance here are in the spiritual realm. If you give up family for
God, God will be your family. Friends who are Christians like you are
can sometimes be even closer than blood relatives. Christians know
how to love. We know if we choose the Lord over the world, we will
inherit with Him. We shall be joint-heirs with Jesus and live and
reign with Him. We will live for all of eternity with God.
Mark 10:31 "But many [that are] first shall be last; and the last
first."
We will see in this that many who were not in very high office
here on the earth will be ruling over those who were kings and princes
here. The Christians will rule with Jesus, and the worldly people will
be ruled over. I, also, believe that this Scripture means that some of
the end time followers of Jesus will be held in esteem of God with the
prophets and disciples of old.
Mark 10:32 "And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and
Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed,
they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them
what things should happen unto him,"
The disciples were amazed that Jesus would go to Jerusalem. He
had already told them that He would be crucified there. The disciples
(not understanding) greatly feared death. Their amazement was of such a
man, who knowing He would die, would go headlong to the place of
death. All the time Jesus was still giving them the details of the
crucifixion, so that when it happened, they would not forget that He is
Messiah.
Mark 10:33 "[Saying], Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son
of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the
scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to
the Gentiles:" Mark 10:34 "And they shall mock him, and shall scourge
him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he
shall rise again."
This was the detailed information that Jesus gave to the
disciples. He wanted them to realize that all of this was the part of
the plan. That God was even in control of this, and that victory lies
at the end. Jesus would rise on the third day. Their eyes were so in
the physical that they just saw the pain and suffering and could not see
the victory. The victory of salvation for everyone is completed on
the cross. The evidence of it was on resurrection day.
Mark 10:35 "And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto
him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever
we shall desire." Mark 10:36 "And he said unto them, What would ye
that I should do for you?" Mark 10:37 "They said unto him, Grant unto
us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left
hand, in thy glory."
James and John had been two of the three which the Lord had set
aside so many times to be with Him, as at the Mount of
Transfiguration. They had heard Jesus say that they all would reign
with Him and rule over the twelve tribes of Israel. They, perhaps,
thought that they and Peter were already favorites of the Lord. This
request was understandable, if for no other reason than they wanted to
be as near the Lord as possible. Jesus already knew what was in their
hearts, but this question was asked for our learning. They wanted the
most prominent seats next to Him. In Matthew, we read that their
mother wanted this position for them. We must remember in the case of
Peter, James, and John that at that time, none of them had been
baptized in the Holy Spirit, and they were still operating in the flesh
to some extent. Their power to live victorious, unselfish lives had
not come yet.
Mark 10:38 "But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask:
can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the
baptism that I am baptized with?"
Truly James and John did not at this point realize the terrible
death that Jesus would go through. The prize they were asking for was,
also, a mystery. They could not know whether this would be a blessing
or a curse. Jesus would be baptized with the baptism of suffering. It
is an easy thing to say that we can go through the suffering, until
the time comes. All of the disciples really felt that Jesus would set
up a physical kingdom here on this earth, and He would run the
Romans off. Their idea and Jesus' idea of victory were two different
things entirely. To want to be Jesus' right and left hand assistants
was being proud. Jesus would be made our Saviour by His suffering on
the cross. Were they prepared to suffer on the cross with Him? They
really had no idea what they were asking. This would indeed be a
bitter cup that Jesus would fulfill.
Mark 10:39 "And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto
them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the
baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:" Mark 10:40
"But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give;
but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared."
James was martyred in the Christian movement. In the twelveth
chapter of Acts, we read about James being killed by Herod. Acts 12:1
"Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth [his] hands to vex
certain of the church." Acts 12:2 "And he killed James the brother of
John with the sword." We know of John's exile on the Isle of Patmos
where he wrote the Book of Revelation. We know, here, in weare decided
from the foundation of the earth. The right hand blessing has always
been the best. I am not so sure what this left hand would be.
Mark 10:41 "And when the ten heard [it], they began to be much
displeased with James and John."
We see from this that even the disciples who walked with Jesus
were not perfect. We see, here, that they became jealous of James and
John.
Mark 10:42 "But Jesus called them [to him], and saith unto them,
Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles
exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority
upon them."
Jesus was saying the way of the world is different from God's way.
In the world the great ones rule over their people, but in God's
method, the great ones serve their fellow men.
Mark 10:43 "But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will
be great among you, shall be your minister:" Mark 10:44 "And
whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all."
Jesus reminded the disciples that they were not of the world and
must not live like the world. Don't live like the world, this is
not your home. Do it God's way, the better way. The greatest among
you shall be servant to all.
Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered
unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
In this we really see the understatement. Jesus (God manifest in
the flesh, God the Son) humbled Himself and came to earth and
ministered unto our needs. He was crucified for each individual all
over the world for all times. Jesus was crucified and rose again so
that whosoever will might be saved. The word "many" would probably
cover it, because not every one accepts the salvation that Jesus paid
for, for all of us with His precious blood. He ministered to so many
on the earth while He was here that the Bible said there would not be
enough books to write them all down in if every one was recorded.
Mark 10:46 "And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of
Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind
Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging."
There was no welfare in those days, and a blind person made a
living from begging. This is the same Jericho where the walls fell
down for the Israelites on their way to the holy land. Giving the
name of the beggar designates a particular healing.
Mark 10:47 "And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he
began to cry out, and say, Jesus, [thou] son of David, have mercy on
me."
A blind man hears so much more, because of their contact with so
many people. This Bartimaeus knew the name "Jesus of Nazareth". He
had heard of the miracles Jesus had done and this was why he cried out
to Jesus for help.
Mark 10:48 "And many charged him that he should hold his peace:
but he cried the more a great deal, [Thou] son of David, have mercy on
me."
When you are blind and someone is near that can make you see
again, there would be no way to hush you up. We can see, here, from
the Son of David that he called Jesus, that the blind man had heard
that He descended from David. The blind man would not be quieted, he
wanted to see again.
Mark 10:49 "And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be
called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good
comfort, rise; he calleth thee."
This was the best news this blind man had ever heard. Jesus was
calling him. His friends said to him, "Rise up, Jesus is calling you".
Truly you can think of this as literal and as spiritual, as well.
Jesus does call all who are spiritually blinded by this world to come
to Him so that He might open their eyes that they might see, just as
Bartimaeus was called here.
Mark 10:50 "And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to
Jesus."
This beggar's outer robe was shed so that he might come to Jesus.
Mark 10:51 "And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou
that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I
might receive my sight."
The Lord knew the blind man's need, but this question was asked to
make a point. This man realized he had a need, asked for help, and
then had enough faith to receive it. Bartimaeus recognized Jesus as
his Lord, and spoke faith.
Mark 10:52 "And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath
made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed
Jesus in the way."
In V-52 we learn a very important lesson. Faith is what activated
the miracle. He received his sight because he believed. Bartimaeus was
so thankful that he followed Jesus.
Notes
Mark 21 Questions
1. Why did Peter remind Jesus that they had left all to follow Him?
2. What had Peter's occupation been prior to going with Jesus?
3. What did Jesus promise to those who have left home and family to
follow Him?
4. The first shall be __________.
5. Why were the disciples afraid in verse 32?
6. What was their amazement of Jesus?
7. What details of the crucifixion did Jesus give them?
8. What did He promise would happen on the third day after the
crucifixion?
9. Why did Jesus tell this to the disciples?
10. What request did James and John make of Jesus?
11. What did the other disciples think of this?
12. What question did Jesus ask James and John?
13. What was their reply?
14. Who will sit on the right and left hand of Jesus?
15. What, in Acts chapter 12, do we find happened to James eventually?
16. In Jesus' teaching the greatest shall _______________________.
17. In verse 45, Jesus called Himself what?
18. In this, He said that He came for what purpose?
19. Where did Jesus go where the blind man was begging?
20. What was the blind man's name?
21. When he heard it was Jesus, what did the blind man do?
22. What did the blind man call Jesus?
23. When Jesus heard his cries, what did He do?
24. Why did Jesus ask him what he wanted if He already knew his needs?
25. In verse 52, Jesus told him his ___________ had made him whole.
26. What did the blind man do after he was healed?
Notes
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