Mark Lesson 8

MARK Lesson 8

Jesus´ ministry on earth is rapidly drawing to a close. Chapter 10, which we will study this week, tells of several important events which occurred during these final weeks. In the next Lesson, we will begin our study of the final week, yes, the final week of Jesus´ life! So, you can see that things are beginning to wind down rapidly as far as Jesus´ earthly ministry is concerned. His travels are almost over. He is now on His way to that final week in Jerusalem! So, with that in mind, let´s look at these closing teachings, miracles, and encounters of Jesus as He makes His final journey to Jerusalem.

Section 1

Read Mark Chapter 10, noting the sites of each event on your map. Also mark the key words which you have been marking throughout this course. And, of course, also keep a piece of paper handy to jot down other important words which rise to the surface and could also be key words.

------Pause while you do this assignment------

Ok! Finished? Yes! Did you have any questions about what you read? Any comments? Any impressions? If so, write them in the space below, or on a separate piece of paper if necessary.

Now, select 2 or 3 of the important (key) words which you noticed and re-read chapter 10 as you mark them.

------Pause while you do this assignment------

Finally, make a list of the things that Jesus did during these final weeks of His life on earth as related in this chapter.

Now, close your time today in prayer, asking God to open your eyes to the truths He wants you to learn as you study this week.

Section 2

Today, let´s look at Mark 10:1-12 which details for us Jesus views, opinion of, and teaching concerning DIVORCE. Read that passage, and, if you haven t already done so, mark every occurrence of the word divorce. I marked it with a brown X, but, of course you can use whatever symbol and color you desire.

------Pause while you do this assignment------

Why did Jesus teach about divorce? (Ie.What occasioned this discussion?) (Mark 10:2)

Why were the Pharisees wanting to know about divorce? Did they really care? What was their real reason for asking about this?

By the way, Where did this Q & A session with the Pharisees take place? (10:1)

FYI (for your information), this region was an area that was ruled by Herod Antipas. Does that name ring a bell? Look back at Mark 6:17-19. What had happened?

Yes, John the Baptist had been beheaded by Herod. And this is the same Herod Antipas who rules the area in which Jesus and His disciples are now standing ! Hmmmmm. And why had Herod beheaded J the B? What had J the B taught that had resulted in his death? (Hint: read Leviticus 18:16)

Hmmm! Yes! J the B had also taught about divorce and look where it got him. Do you see now that there is a deeper reason why the Pharisees are questioning Jesus about this particular topic in this particular place? Yes? Explain.

But did Jesus fall into their trap? How did Jesus answer them? (10:3)

What was the question that Jesus asked them? (10:3)

What was so important about Moses? Why did Jesus ask what Moses had said?

What did the Pharisees say that Moses said was the Law ? (10:4)

How did Jesus respond to that? (10:6)

Do you believe, from Jesus´ answer, that He liked or eagerly approved of the reason that Moses allowed divorce?.........................Circle your answer...........YES.................NO

Explain your answer:

So, what then, IS God´s IDEAL plan concerning marriage? (10:6-9) Write it here:

Let´s look at some more scriptures that further clarify God´s ideal plan and commands concerning the marriage relationship. Look up the following scriptures and in the spaces provided, note what they teach concerning marriage and or divorce. (For the longer passages, don´t write the entire passage, just read and summarize the thought or concept being presented.)

Genesis 2: 20-24

Genesis 39:6-9

Exodus 20:14

Exodus 20:17

Deuteronomy 5:18

Deuteronomy 22:13-30

Leviticus 18:1-30

Leviticus 21:7, 9, 13-15

Malachi 2:16

Matthew 19:1-11

Luke 16:18

Again, based on the scriptures you have read, including Mark 10:1-12 and its parallel passages in Matthew 19 and Luke 16, what is God s heart desire concerning marriage and divorce?

Sections 3 & 4

For the next two sections we will be looking at Mark 10:13-16 and Mark 10:17-31, two separate and yet related incidents in that both teach, in addition to other principles, important truths concerning salvation. For that reason, we will combine these 2 passages. Yet, we will also deal with them separately.

Let´s begin with Mark 10:13-16. Read those verses, and as you read, mark every reference to child / children and synonyms for those words. I marked this by drawing a little purple stick figure on the word or synonym but, of course, you can mark this any way you prefer. Also be sure to mark, if you haven´t already done so, every reference to the Kingdom of God and pronouns or synonyms referring to it.

------Pause while you do this assignment------

This event is also related in Matthew 19:13-15 and Luke 18:15-17. If you have time, read those 2 cross-references and record any additional information or insights in the space below:

Briefly summarize what happened.

How old were these little children? Can you tell? Hint: the Greek word used by Mark is PAIDION, Strongs # 3813) and Luke in 18:15 used the word BREPHOS (# 1025).

..........Circle your answer:..............Infants..............All 6 years old..............Various ages

Why had the people brought these children? Were they coming ...

.........Circle your answer: ....For baptism?.......For salvation?.......For a blessing?.......Not sure?

What did the disciples do and why?

But how did Jesus respond to this action by the disciples?

Why was Jesus displeased and indignant with the disciples for trying to prevent Him from seeing and being with the little children?

What exactly did Jesus say to the disciples? (10:14b-15) Write it here:

Now, I know we have not done an in depth study of the meaning of the term Kingdom of God, but from what you have read about it so far in Mark´s gospel and in the sense as it is used here, what do you believe Jesus means when He uses the term, Kingdom of God.

Is Jesus saying that these little children are saved ? Circle your answer.......YES........NO

Then what IS Jesus teaching by using this illustration of the little children? (Do not answer this yet! Let´s first do a little more thinking and then we will answer this question. So hold your thoughts for now.)

Little Children. Hmmmm. Let´s think about how they think and respond to situations.

How does a little child respond to the commands and instructions from parents? Does he argue? Or does he just do it?

Does the little child fret and worry over where his / her next meal is coming from and about how to prepare it? Or does he have faith that it will be supplied for him when it is needed?

Does the little child concern itself with rent, car payments, paying bills, etc?

Does the little child worry about keeping his job, climbing the career ladder and the other complexities of life?

In general, what does the little child do concerning all these things and situations mentioned in the previous questions? Circle your answer(s):

...............Worry a lot .............Not worry at all..............Depend on parents to provide

Does the little child try to earn its way and pay for what he / she gets?

Or does the little child just simply accept whatever it gets (food, clothing, shelter, etc) as a gift from its parents or from whomever is providing these things?

So, how do little children receive things? Circle your answer:

..............They pay for it.............They earn it..................They accept it as a free gift

It is time now to answer that question about which you were holding your thoughts. So, considering how a little child responds, what is Jesus teaching through this illustration of little children? Specifically, what IS Jesus teaching concerning the Kingdom of God and how it is to be obtained and received?

So, is salvation to be earned or to be received as a gift? Circle your answer.

Explain your answer using the principle which Jesus taught when He used the little children as an illustration.

Great! Turning now to Mark 10:17-31 and building upon what you have discovered, let´s see how Jesus continues teaching about how a person can and cannot be saved and, therefore. can and cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Stop now and read Mark 10:17-31, and, as you read, mark every reference to Kingdom of God and its synonyms. Also Mark every reference to saved and any words used in place of that word.

------Pause while you do this assignment------

This event is also recorded in Matthew 19:16-30 and Luke 18:18-30. Yes, you guessed it! If you have time, read those 2 passages also and record the additional insights and information you learn in the space below.

What specifically did the Rich Young Ruler (RYR) ask Jesus? (Mark 10:17)

Considering that Mark 10:17 begins with As Jesus started on His way... and considering that the event of Jesus blessing the little children had just occurred, do you think that there is any connection between what Jesus had just said (in Mark 10:13-16) concerning how a person receives and enters the Kingdom of heaven and the question that the Rich Young Ruler (RYR) asked? Circle your answer.........................YES............NO

Do you think that the RYR may have witnessed the event of Jesus blessing the children and making these statements? Circle your answer..........YES...............NO

Explain your answer:

By the way, you probably noticed that Mark identifies this man as a rich man. But Matthew said he was young (19:20) and Luke called him a certain ruler (18:18). Being a certain ruler suggests that he was possibly a member of an official council or court, presumably Jewish. Therefore, what would this tell you about why he was asking Jesus: What must I do to inherit eternal life? (Think carefully about this and write your answer in the space below.)

Yes, you are correct, since the Jewish religion was and is based on the terms of God´s Covenants and included many laws and commandments to which they were to strictly adhere, it was understandable that this RYR´s frame of reference was that a person had to DO things and KEEP the Commandments in order to earn or merit righteousness and, therefore, eternal life.

But what does Jesus teach concerning the way to inherit eternal life? How did Jesus answer this man? (Don´t answer these questions now. Let´s look at the entire discussion and then we will summarize what you learn. So, again, hold your thoughts. We will be back.)

Recalling the discussion between Jesus and the RYR as recorded by Mark, we noted that the RYR had said to Jesus: Good teacher, what must I DO to inherit eternal life?

What did Jesus say in answer to this question? (Mark 18:18-19)

By the way, the Greek word for GOOD used here is AGATHOS (Strongs # 18). As an optional assignment, you might want to look up the definition of AGATHOS and write a summary of what you learn here:

Jesus quoted to the RYR several Commandments of the Jewish Law known as the Ten Commandments. The ones He quoted are recorded in Exodus 20:12-16 and Deut. 5:16-21. Even though the RYR was very familiar with them, we may not be, so let´s refresh our memories. Read those 2 passages and write all of them, yes, in their entirety, in the spaces provided below.

Exodus 20:1-17

Deuteronomy 5:6-21

Now, go back and put a circle around each of the commandments which Jesus quoted to the RYR.

In the Jewish way of thinking, how did the RYR believe a man was made righteous?

Circle your answer from the 2 choices below:

1. By the work of keeping the 10 commandments and other laws.

(ie by earning his way to God by doing things.)

2. By simply accepting righteousness as a gift from God.

Explain your answer:

Had the RYR kept the commandments that Jesus mentioned?Circle your answer....YES........NO

So, in what was the RYR putting his confidence regarding being righteous?

Does this remind you of someone else? Who? (Hint: read Philippians 3:3-9) _____________

In what did Paul, before his salvation put his confidence? (Include in your answer a list of the things that Paul could point to as works, accomplishments which he had done or which made him special .

But, after Paul was saved, in what did he put his confidence? (Hint: read Philippians 3:8-9)

Returning to the discussion between Jesus and the RYR, what did Jesus say next? (Mark 10:21)

Why did Jesus say this? Does this have to do with not keeping a commandment, and if so, which one Or does it have to do with a heart attitude, and if so, what? Or is Jesus saying that a person is not to be rich? Or just what DID Jesus mean when He said: One thing you lack. Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me. Think carefully before you answer. Then write your answer and give your reasoning in the space below:

What had Paul given up for Christ (Philippians 3:7-8)

Can you see now why Christ said what He said to the RYR? Explain:

So what was Jesus trying to teach the RYR concerning how to enter the Kingdom of God?

Is there anything a person can DO (ie. Keeping the commandments, doing good works, etc.) That can gain that person entrance into the Kingdom of God? Circle your answer: .....YES.......NO

Explain:

So, then, what was the value of the RYR in keeping the commandments?

What was the problem with his riches? (Ie. Why did Jesus tell him to get rid of them?)

Is Christ teaching that it is wrong to be rich? Circle your answer........YES.......NO.......Not Sure

Read Mark 10:23-27

------Pause while you read Mark 10:23-27------

The word used for needle in this passage varied in the 3 gospels which relate this story. Luke, being a Physician, not surprisingly chose the word BELONES, a surgical needle. Matthew and Mark used RHAPHIS from RHAPTO, to sew. So, obviously, a real needle is being referred to by Jesus and not the sometimes suggested small gate in a wall that a camel had to stoop and kneel down to crawl through. (Yes, that is an interpretation sometimes given for this passage.)

What would be the theological difference in interpreting this passage assuming that the needle is a real needle vs. The interpretation that the eye of the needle was a small gate that a camel could go through, although with great difficulty? (This is an important theological concept, so think carefully before you answer.)

What, then, is Jesus saying about the role of riches and wealth in salvation?

What did the RYR do when he was told One thing you lack. Go sell everything you have and give it to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me.

How tragic ! The RYR apparently was a good man and law abiding. Yet he trusted in his goodness and law keeping, and yes, even in his riches. Even the fact that he had been blessed by God with great wealth had apparently caused him to believe that he was righteous and good. Yet, Jesus, in this encounter, tried to tell him and everyone who would listen, that his / our only hope for eternal life is through God alone, for God is the only one who gives eternal life. And this is a gift ! It cannot be earned.

Paul finally understood this also. Read the following passages and write them here:.

Romans 3:19-20.

Romans 3:27-28

Romans 4:1-5

Romans 6:23

Galatians 3:24

What was Jesus trying to explain to the RYR concerning the purpose of the law?

What was Jesus trying to explain to the RYR concerning the danger of great wealth?

What was Jesus teaching His disciples in Mark 10:28-31 concerning riches and giving up of everything to serve Him (Jesus)?

You probably noticed that several words and phrases seemed to be used interchangeably as you read these accounts in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Specifically, eternal life, entering the Kingdom of Heaven / God, and being saved. Are these, could these be, synonyms? Read the following passages before you answer this question. As you read, note which phrase is referred to in each.

Matthew 19:16 Matthew 19:23 Matthew 19:25-26

Mark 10:17 Mark 10:24 Mark 10:26-27

Luke 18:18 Luke 18:24 Luke 18:26-27

Now, based on what you have read, can you say that

Eternal life = entering the Kingdom of Heaven / God = being saved

Circle your answer...........YES............NO..............Not sure

Explain your answer:

Hmm. Interesting. Now, hold that thought until we do our study on the Kingdom of God later in this course.

In summary, then, what was Jesus teaching about salvation in the 2 passages, ie in Mark 10:13-16 concerning the little children and in Mark 10:17-31 concerning the RYR and the keeping of the commandments and trusting in riches.

Specifically, what is Jesus teaching about how salvation is NOT obtained?

What is Jesus teaching about how salvation IS obtained?

How must salvation be accepted?

What are the dangers of great riches?

What happens when a person gives up everything and follows Jesus?

Is there any other way to follow Jesus than to give up everything and to accept salvation as a gift like a little child? Circle your answer.............YES.............NO

Explain your answer:

Close now in prayer, talking with God concerning your response to that last question and to all that He has shown you in this lesson. Are you still depending on your works and deeds to earn your salvation? Or have you or will you give up everything and accept His offer of salvation and let Jesus be your savior, Lord, Master, and King?

Section 5

Jesus and His disciples are almost at Jerusalem now. This final journey is almost over. And, as they draw near to the city, Jesus once again tells the disciples about the events which are soon to occur. Read what He tells them in Mark 10:32-34. Then record these predictions on your Predictions Chart.

-------Pause while you do this assignment------

Now read Mark 10:35-45.

-------Pause while you do this assignment-------

Can you imagine that !?! Jesus has just predicted His death and instead of the disciples responding in dismay or grief or astonishment, what did two of them do? (10:35)

Specifically, what did they ask? (10:37)

Who asked? (What 2 disciples?) (10:35) ___________________ and___________________

What did the positions to the right and left of Jesus represent?

FYI, just in case you didn t know precisely what those positions represented, these are positions of special prestige and power.

So what did they apparently still not understand about the purpose of this journey to Jerusalem, even though Jesus had just told them? (Ie. Did they still believe that He was on His way to claim His throne and crown and to begin His rule and reign over a physical Kingdom on earth?) Circle your answer:.......YES...........NO

Explain:

But what was Jesus really going to Jerusalem to do?

When Jesus asked them if they could drink the cup or be baptized with the baptism I (Jesus) am baptized with, what did He mean?

(Hint, before you answer, read Mark 14:35-36; Matthew 26:39; Luke 22:42; Luke 12:50; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12)

FYI, to drink the cup I drink is a Jewish expression that meant to share someone´s fate and in the old Testament, the cup often represented God´s wrath against sin. So the cup and the baptism are direct references to His death and its purpose. Jesus was telling them that He was going to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind by drinking the cup of God´s wrath and by being baptized, thereby taking mankind´s sins upon Himself and dying to pay the penalty for those sins.

Why was Jesus going to do this? What was His purpose? His motive? What would this accomplish?

In Mark 10:42-45, Jesus explains the difference between the way the world and the way that He (Jesus) look at the purpose of life and greatness.

How do the gentiles use their authority? (10:42)

How are those in authority in Christ s Kingdom expected to use their authority? (10:43-44)

So, what is the difference in the value systems of these 2 Kingdoms?

Hmmmm. Tough words ! Does this mean that Christ really expects us to (gasp) serve others !?!

(Read Mark 9:35 also before you answer.)

...........................................Circle your answer.........YES...........NO

Did Christ practice what He taught? Or is this just what He is telling us to do? (10:45)

What have we already discovered to be the picture of Jesus as portrayed by Mark in his gospel?

Circle your answer:........Son of Man.............Servant............King...........Son of God

Well, imagine that ! Yes! And we have seen Jesus portrayed repeatedly as serving-serving- serving in this gospel. List just a few examples that come to mind of the service that Jesus did in Mark.

And now we see Jesus getting ready to soon do His greatest and most amazing and most awesome act of service! He has just predicted it again. What is it? (10:45)

Yes! In fact, prayerfully and thoughtfully write that entire verse (Mark 10:45) in the space below:

Now, put it on a note card or a piece of paper and carry that card or paper with you until you have memorized that verse.

-------Pause while you make the card-----

let s look at that verse in a bit more detail.

What did Jesus come to DO? Circle your answer:............To be served............To serve

Who did Jesus come to serve? ____________________________________________ .

How, specifically, did Jesus serve God, you, me, and all mankind?

Let´s look at those words, RANSOM FOR MANY. I f you have the resource books, look up those words and summarize what you learn.

RANSOM (Strongs # 3083) LUTRON

FOR (Strongs # 1063) GAR

MANY (Strongs # 4183) POLIS

Now read I Timothy 2:5-6 and write it here:

Based on what you ve read and studied in this section and in this lesson, summarize what Jesus did in His greatest act of servanthood and what the result is and can be to those who respond to it.

How does this relate to what Jesus was teaching about the little children and what Jesus was trying to explain to the RYR?

Have you responded to Jesus´ act of service to you, of His death, which served as the ransom for your life and your sins?

.............................................Circle your answer............YES...............NO

Are you serving others? Or are you lording your authority over others and expecting others to serve you?

What was Jesus telling James and John concerning what they need to do in order to achieve positions of authority?

What is Jesus telling us? You and me? Concerning serving and positions of authority?

Serve others !!!! Me? You? Wow, this is a tough teaching! But, Jesus does intend for us to follow His example and serve others! Of course, we can´t give our lives as atonement for the sins of others, as He did. But, we can give our lives in service to others by: (list some specific ways that you can serve others based on your God Given talents, abilities, spiritual gifts, income, career, hobbies, etc.)

One more thing and then we will be through for this lesson. Read Mark 10:46-52. This is one of the final miracles that Jesus performed. (Hmmmm. Sounds like more service to me! What do you think?) Anyway, read that miracle of ______________________________________ and record it on your Events, Miracles... etc Chart. And then you will be finished.

See you in the next lesson.

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