CHAPTER 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.
2 And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.

Jesus left Capernaum and went down into Judaea on the West side of the Jordan River. Jesus always had a purpose when He visited certain places. Here, crowds of people came to Him and He "taught" them. Sermonic teaching was mannerism. He made the Scriptures "come alive" by using every-day examples to illustrate Biblical principles.

The "crowds" were those who loved Jesus' teachings and wanted to learn and apply them to their lives. But there were also, as today, skeptics, heretics, Pharisees. They only wanted to ask worldly questions and try to demean Jesus' teachings.

This time, the Pharisees asked a difficult question. Jesus had taught that a man should NOT divorce his wife (and vice versa) EXCEPT for adultery (See Matthew 5:32). We must remember that in those days it was common for a man to divorce his wife if she didn't cook the biscuits right!

The Pharisees asked, "Is it LAWFUL for a man to put away his wife?"
Jesus is being asked to explain the law LITERALLY! They were only trying to "tempt" Jesus into changing His earlier teaching on the subject of divorce.

But Jesus has a surprising LESSON for the Pharisees, and for all who heard His statements, and for all who read His statements on the subject.

Keep in mind, as you read the following, that looking at divorce gives more meaning to the sanctity and seriousness of marriage.

3 And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?
4 And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.
5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.
6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

So Jesus referred them to the law of God. And He allowed them to explain it in their own fashion.

They said, "Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement..." (See Deuteronomy 24:1-3). Take particular note of Deuteronomy 24:3; for if a man divorces his wife, he is NOT to remarry her!

At any rate, the Pharisees contended that Moses gave the law. And, if Moses gave it, then the law surely came from God.

FIRST,Jesus did not deny that the bill of divorce was in the law. But He did clarify the situation. He said, "For the HARDNESS OF YOUR HEART he wrote you this precept!"

When God gave Moses the law, men were being boorish toward their wives. If they displeased them, in any way, then they would just throw the wife's clothes out. Or, some men would just make life so hard at home, the woman would have to leave. She then would be left at the mercy of others. If her father wouldn't take her back, she was in big trouble. Work was hard to find for a divorced woman. And, since there was no clarification by a "bill of divorce," then she could not marry again. The woman literally became the "scourge" of society.

God knew this treatment of women was unfair!
And the whole reason for the "bill of divorce" was to give the woman a fair chance in society.

SECOND, Jesus explained divorce was NOT in God's plan for man!
God created man and woman. They were to compliment and complete one another.
And Jesus quoted Adam's statement in Genesis 2:23-24.

The reason God created woman in the first place was for man to have someone different from him that would compliment and fulfill his life. In Genesis 2:20, we find her described as "an help-meet". The Hebrew words are ezer neghed, and means an aiding counterpart.

God was NOT giving the man a servant!
God did not take a bone from man's head for the woman to rule OVER him.
Neither did God take a bone from the man's foot for him to ruler over her.
God took a bone from the man's SIDE! The woman was to be held close, protected, loved, nurtured, cared-for. And she was there for the purpose of being different from, but yet completing the man!

Therefore, the man is supposed to treat the woman as his equal counterpart!
Her dreams fulfill the man's view of life.
Her goals are important to the family.
Her views are necessary for the man to have completeness.

THIRD, Jesus said that God took part of Adam and made Eve. Then Adam said that when a man and woman were joined in marriage they became "ONE flesh"!

If a man divorces his wife (except for the cause of adultery), then he is actually cutting off part of himself. And he will SUFFER!

Now, November 30, 2007, I was hit by a car. That accident caused me to lose about 30 per cent use of my right leg, and about 40 per cent use of my left arm. They are both weak now, and do not perform the way I want them to. But I'm certainly not going to cut them off!

Too often in this world today, we find that men (and women too) look at their spouses with the wrong FOCUS. We are supposed to look at what they CAN do and how they COMPLETE our being!

And what Jesus said in verse 9 is a really difficult statement to the world today!
Except for adultery, there should be NO LAW of divorce!

The FAMILY is the backbone of society!
If the family is broke, then society is broke!

And, as one can see in the following verses, Jesus did NOT back up from this view!

10 And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.
11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.
12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

Now let me say this: divorce, even for frivolous reasons, is not UNforgivable!

But neither is divorce without its consequences! It is the chief cause of neglect and abuse of children in our society today!

Anyone, man or woman, who divorces his/her spouse without the cause of adultery, commits SIN! And, as with all sin, one must go humbly before God and beg forgiveness.

Just as with the abortionist, murderer, thief, et al, God IS forgiving!
However, one must first surrender to Christ as Lord, and come humbly in admission of sin, in order to be forgiven.

Now, one can see why marriage should not be entered lightly!
Marriage is a holy union, and should be entered only upon genuine counsel from God.
After all, God performed the first wedding HIMSELF!
One should seek the spouse which will perform God's purpose in marriage: completeness.
Once one has found that person, NOTHING should separate them!
And, when marriage is based upon a focal view of completeness between spouses, one will not entertain cutting off part of himself/herself!

13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
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.
15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

The disciples thought Jesus was too busy teaching doctrinal issues to take time with children. But Jesus explained they should be ALLOWED to come to Him.

Many today believe that Jesus is too DEEP for children to comprehend. But even a child can realize conviction for sin. Even a child can realize the love and forgiveness of God.

During 26 years of pastoral servitude, I have faced this question many times: "When is a child OLD ENOUGH to understand salvation?" I always respond with, "When are YOU old enough to understand it?" The truth is, on this side of heaven, we'll NEVER undertand it. But we can REALIZE it!

Jesus explained, "of such" (Like little children) "is the kingdom of heaven."

It is imperative that we ALL come to Christ as little children in order to be saved. We cannot understand, but we can realize! We can participate. We can surrender and receive!

When a child, or an adult, feels conviction of sin and realizes that sin has caused Jesus' death; and, when they feel contrition for that sin - the need of repentance, then all that is needed is commitment to Christ through surrender to His Lordship.

Do not refuse children to come to Christ because they do not comprehend doctrine. It is the surrender in trust that brings salvation. Growing in doctrinal comprehension is what we do AFTER we are saved.

Mark 10:17-27
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?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
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.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
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.
22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
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!
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.
26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

The man "rich" (vss 23-24). He did not expect to buy salvation with money, but he did expect to utilze what he had to earn it. The question "What good thing shall I do," included using his wealth to do good.

Let me say there is something wonderful about a person who uses their wealth to do good. And it is expecially wonderful if that person is surrendered to Christ, and using wealth for His glory rather than for personal fame.

But neither wealth nor works can earn salvation.

Notice Jesus' focus on "Good." He queries why the man would call Him "Good," since there is only ONE that is "GOOD!" The fact that Jesus stated this intimates that He KNEW the young man respected Him as a prophet and teacher, but not as GOD IN FLESH!

Therefore, Jesus pointed to the need of man to be PERFECT in order to be saved. And Jesus first only pointed the man toward his relationships with mankind. The commandments to which Jesus refers are the commandments dealing with man's relationship to man.

The man confessed that he had KEPT all those commandments since his youth. He had concentrated on the external aspects of keeping the law as all of us should. But the young man STILL had a LACKING in his soul! For after his confession of keeping the commandments, he asked, "What lack I YET?"

What the world calls "good" and what God calls "good" are two completely different things! The world calls a gentle, law-abiding citizen as "good." But God only calls a person good when they SURRENDER to Him as His children.

Since the young man acknowledged a "lacking" in his soul, Jesus pointed him toward the first table of the law: PUT GOD FIRST!

Jesus, in effect said, "Go...sell what you have...give it to the poor, and come follow the ONE Who is GOOD!"

It is only then that the young man (and any other person) would feel "Perfect," or mature and complete.

Notice that the young man went away sad because "he had great possessions." He still would rather hold onto his OWN than to be God's own! I'm afraid that is what holds many people back from salvation today.

Some people trust in money, works, education, philosophy, science. But none of those can make a person "perfect" before God! Only trust in CHRIST can do that! There is only ONE way to have knowledge of completeness - that is surrender to Jesus as Lord. Jesus said Himself, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh to the Father but by me." (John 14:6)

Jesus took advantage of the situation to explain something to the disciples. He said it is harder for a rich man to be saved than for a camel to go through a needle's eye! The disciples were confused at this statement. They felt like riches were a sign of divine favor. They thought if a rich man couldn't be saved, then no one could - because the rich man had every opportunity to "do good."

But what Jesus was explaining is that only God can overrule a man's desire for worldly fame and fortune. It is IMPOSSIBLE for man to be saved by his own works, merit, or fortune! But with God it is POSSIBLE! God can and will forgive the poorest or the richest persons.

But we first must surrender to CHRIST!

28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
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,
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.
31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

Peter understood! He GRASPED it! He was forgiven and SAVED! But now he had a question:
having forsaken ALL, what shall he "have?"

YES! There are rewards beyond salvation. The greatest reward of course is God's eternal forgiveness and acceptance. But God has so much more for those who surrender to Him!

Jesus promised that "in the regeneration," these 12 would sit on thrones alongside Him governing the tribes of Israel during the millennium!

He ALSO promised that "everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my NAME'S sake, shall receive an hundredfold, AND shall inherit everlasting life."

YES! There are rewards for those who have realized that surrender and servitude go hand in hand!

But Jesus also issued a CAUTION! One cannot presume upon the receipt of rewards! Jesus said, "many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first."

It is not the prospect of rewards that begets servitude. It is the fact of putting God first in our lives simply because He should be FIRST in all we do!

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,
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:
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.
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.
36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?
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.
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?
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:
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.
41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.
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.
43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
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.

Jesus was on His last journey to Jerusalem, probably near Jericho (See verse 29). When He reached Jerusalem, He would be crucified.

There were companies of many people on the road to Jerusalem. The Passover feast required that all male Jews appear in Jerusalem for this (Exodus 23:17) feast.

Jesus took them "aside" because He wanted to impart this information again, and didn't want EVERYONE hearing it. He specifically wanted the disciples prepared, because Jesus knew that this would bring suffering on their part. They could be prepared by holding to the promises that He had made. Remember, Jesus had already told the disciples this would happen (See Matthew 17:22)).

Jesus would be delivered "to the Gentiles to MOCK, SCOURGE and to CRUCIFY" Him! But the promise was that He would "rise again" on the "third day!" The disciples needed to keep their focus on the promises, then they would be enabled to endure the hardships!

Aren't we the same? Should we not keep our focus on the promise of eternal glory with Christ? It is by maintaining that focus that we are enabled to endure the hardships of life. Whatever hardships Christians face, God has prepared us with His PROMISES!

Now, James and John's mother comes and asks a question. Mark (See Mark 10:35)) says that James and John asked the question. Perhaps it began in a family discussion. At any rate, the question was could they be seated on the left and right hand of Jesus when He established His kingdom securely? The desire is to have places of prominence.

Notice Jesus' answer: "Ye know not what you ask." They were asking what God had, through His foreknowledge, already prepared. Their question intimated that they were still looking for a kingdom on earth. They still had that old idea that Messiah would take over the world and put Jews in charge. And He WILL! But it would be long after the crucifiction and resurrection. And it would be long after the lives of James and John.

Jesus asked them a question: "Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" Were they willing to taste the bitter cup of death? Were they willing to endure ignominy, hatred and despicable suffering?

Jesus answered the question Himself. "Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with..." He knew they were men of tenacity, devotion, and dedication. He knew they would be forward in their witness of Him, and would not be afraid of the consequences. He knew that James would be beheaded and that John would be banished to the aisle of Patmos. He knew they would suffer, and yet they would be faithful.

However, "..but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father." What they were asking, had already been prepared by God! God knows ALL things! He knows the end from the beginning! He also knows that positions of honor in His kingdom require MUCH suffering and persectution.

The other disciples must have overheard the conversation, and they were upset. Jesus then used the instance to teach a valuable lesson.

It is not the manner of a Christian to be over authoritative. It is the manner of Christians to be SERVANTS! After all, it was Christ's manner (see verse 28), and that manner is INSIDE the Christian because CHRIST is inside the Christian.

Jesus went further with the lesson. He indicated that the most important person in the kingdom was the one who exercised the greatest servantship! ALL Christians are given the ministry of servantship. How well are you exercising that ministry?

And let me digress a moment. Pastors are NOT the head of the church! The church has only ONE Head - JESUS!! ((See Ephesians 1:22)) Pastors are to be SPIRITUAL leaders of the church by their examples. They are not to be the authoritative, dominating physical leader. ((See Titus 1:6-11)) ((See also 1Peter 5:3))The pastor holds an office in the church, but that office and station demands humility and servantship.

The most important lesson to learn from Christ is that of His humility and servantship. He, though He is GOD, came in the person of man to SERVE mankind. He came to serve love and forgiveness through His blood sacrifice! And He came to serve the offer of eternal salvation through surrender to His Lordship. THEREFORE, Paul says, ((See Philippians 2:5-11))

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.
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.
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.
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.
50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.
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.
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.

According to the chronology of Jesus' travels, both Mark 10:46-52 and Luke 18:35-43 speak of this same instance.

Luke describes only one man, and does not give a name. Mark describes only one man and calls him "blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus." This does not mean there was only one man. It simply means that Mark & Luke spoke of the more prominent man. Bartimaeus was prominent because he yelled and yelled for Jesus, and would NOT hush, even when the crowd tried to tell him to hush.

Notice that when Bartimaeus cried out to Him, Jesus LISTENED!! Even though the crowd thought Him too busy, He called the man to Him. When He found out what he wanted, Jesus spoke and his eyes were healed!!

The next verse signifies he not only was healed of physical blindness, but also of spiritual blindness; for "he followed Jesus in the way!"

Many people recognized Jesus and call upon Him for help when they are in trouble. But the healing of the soul is for those who will FOLLOW Him.

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.