DBG - October 21 - Mark 10-11

In this chapter Christ returns to Judea.

vs. 1-12 – This parallels Matthew 19:3-12.  Christ returns to Judea by travelling on the east side of Jordan, thus not going through Samaria.  The people flock to Him and He teaches them.  The Pharisees attempt to trap Him in a debate again, this time concerning divorce.  While marriage is intended to be between a man and a woman for life, sin gets in the way and unfortunately there are true cases where divorce is a legitimate option.  Moses wrote of this in Deuteronomy 24:14.  The problem here is not divorce itself, but its abuse.

vs. 13-16 – This parallels Matthew 19:13-15 and Luke 18:15-17.  The disciples think they are helping Christ by keeping children away from Him.  It was a custom at this time to have revered rabbis pronounce blessings on children.  Christ reprimands the disciples and points to the example of child-like faith that is necessary for salvation.

vs. 17-31- This parallels Matthew 19:16-20:16 and Luke 18:18-30.  The rich young ruler comes to Christ, not with an honest question, but looking to justify himself through self-righteousness.  The man claims to have kept the Ten Commandments, which is an impossibility as they reveal our sin.  Christ then reveals the man’s motive by telling him to do and sell all of his possessions.  Here we find that the man’s true god was his wealth.  The saying about a camel going through the eye of a needle means just that.  It is possible, but it is messy.  The self-righteousness of the young man is then used as contrast to the humility that should mark Christ’s followers. 

vs. 32-34 – This parallels Matthew 20:17-19 and Luke 18:31-34.  As we are nearing the final Passover, Christ becomes more explicit in warning the disciples of what it is to come.

vs. 35-45 – This parallels Matthew 20:20-28.  Mark does not mention the mother’s role in this.  He only points to James and John as the instigators.  The rich young man they encountered previously thought His earthly wealth would ensure blessings in Heaven because of his self-righteousness.  These disciples thought their service and sacrifice would ensure blessings in Heaven because of their self-righteousness. 

vs. 46-52 – This parallels Matthew 20:29-34 and Luke 18:35-43.  As Christ nears Jericho, a blind beggar calls out for mercy.  His name is given as Bar-Timaeus, which means, the son of Timaeus (Greek, “honored or highly prized”).  By calling Chris the Son of David he is acknowledging that Christ is the Messiah.  Christ calls the man forward through the crowd and heals him.

In this chapter Christ arrives for the final Passover.

vs. 1-11 – This parallels Matthew 21:1-17, Luke 19:29-44, and John 12:12-19.  Christ approaches Jerusalem for the final Passover.  I think this on the Sabbath before the Passover and mirrors the choosing of the Passover lamb in Exodus 12:3.  Two disciples are sent to procure a donkey.  As Christ rides it toward Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives the people spread their robes to carpet His path.  The wave palm branches in the air, which is an act of celebration or victory.  The cry of “Hosanna!” (“save now”) echoes through the air.  The people made a public showing of trusting in Christ as the Messiah, but it was the conquering Messiah they wanted and not the Suffering Savior that came at this time.  These same voices will be calling for his crucifixion a few days later.  After spending time in the Temple, Christ retreats to Bethany for the night.

vs. 12-14 – This parallels Matthew 21:19-19.  It is now Monday before the crucifixion.  Christ sees a fig tree that has leaves but no fruit.  Thought it was early in the season for figs, a tree that had leaves should have had fruit.  Christ curses it.  It is a picture of Israel at this time.  They made a show the previous day of celebrating Christ as Messiah, but they lacked true faith in Him.

vs. 15-19 – This parallels Matthew 21:12-17 and Luke 19:45-48.  Christ cleanses the Temple for the second time.  The first time is in John 2:13-25 at the commencement of His public ministry and now He does so again at its close.  There was only once currency accepted in the Temple, so moneychangers converted people’s funds into these shekels at an 11% interest.  Others sold pre-approved sacrifices as a convenience for people travelling in from afar.  These systems were very abused and were quite unpopular.  Christ teaches publicly in the Temple and His enemies cannot make a move against Him because of the people thronging to Him.

vs. 20-26 – This parallels Matthew 21:20-22.  The conclusion of the Christ cursing the fig tree in verses 12-14.  The disciples are amazed that such a healthy tree could be so suddenly dead.  Christ points them to the power of faith and prayer.

vs. 27-33 - This parallels Matthew 21:23-32 and Luke 20:1-8. Christ is challenged about His credentials as a teacher.  The Jewish elite had not trained Him or authorized Him, so why did He take it upon Himself to teach others?  They would not accept the truth, that He was the Son of God sent to us.  So, He turns the question against them by asking whose authority John the Baptist acted under.  The leaders are trapped.  If they say John was right, then they were guilty of not following him.  If they way John was wrong, they anger his many followers and admirers.  They dodge the question by answering that they cannot tell whose authority John preached under.  Christ then likewise refuses to answer them.  The truth is they were too blind to realize God’s authority in action because it defied their own expectations.

The rich young ruler asked the wrong question.  He asked Christ if he had done enough for salvation.  We can never do enough to fill the chasm between our depravity and God’s holiness.  The correct question is to ask Christ if He has done enough to save us.  He must certainly has!  While we are saved by grace through faith, those would be worthless if Christ were not its anchor. He did it all.  We simply trust in His finished work.

Our hymn today is “Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor,” written in 1874 by George Hugh Bourne.

Lord, enthroned in heav'nly splendor,
first-begotten from the dead,
Thou alone, our strong Defender,
liftest up Thy people's head.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus, true and living Bread!

Prince of Life, for us Thou livest,
by Thy body souls are healed;
Prince of Peace, Thy peace Thou givest,
by Thy blood is pardon sealed.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Word of God in flesh revealed.

Paschal Lamb! Thine off'ring finished
once for all when Thou wast slain,
in its fullness undiminished
shall forevermore remain.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Cleansing souls from every stain.

Great High Priest of our profession,
thro' the veil Thou ent'redst in;
by Thy mighty intercession
grace and mercy Thou dost win.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Only sacrifice for sin.

Life-imparting heav'nly Manna,
stricken Rock, with streaming side,
heav'n and earth with loud hosanna
worship Thee, the Lamb who died.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Ris'n, ascended, glorified!