The disciples did not understand - Mark 10:24
Here, and again in verse 26, Mark emphasized how
astonished the disciples were at Jesus' words. They still did not fully understand the demands that were soon going to fall on them. They still thought that God would more likely use wealth and power than humble emptiness.
Trust completely in Jesus - Mark 10:25
Wealth is often a great obstacle to trusting in Jesus. It is too easy for the wealthy to trust in their riches for all their needs. Jesus demanded that people recognize that they are helpless and trust completely in him.
Greater value - Mark 10:26
The disciples still had much to learn. They still thought that wealth and power were of greater value to God and God's kingdom than humility and weakness.
The kingdom of God is a gift. - Mark 10:27
Jesus put the failure of the rich man to embrace salvation in the context of the little child. The kingdom of God is a gift that is
impossible for human beings to buy with their wealth or earn with their religious obedience.
Left everything behind - Mark 10:28
Peter responded that he and the others had
left everything to follow Jesus. He might have been growing in his understanding. Unlike the rich man Peter had left his family and business to follow Jesus.
Truly follow Jesus - Mark 10:30
Jesus promised that those who truly follow him will receive back in this life a
hundred times more than they ever give up for him. The blessings, however, will come with
persecution . God's blessing and struggle will always be mixed together in the lives of the followers of Jesus until God's kingdom comes in its fullness. See the article on the kingdom of God.
Concluding summary - Mark 10:31
Verse 31 is the concluding summary of this section. It describes the true nature of discipleship. Following Jesus means giving up all claims to greatness. It demands simple faith in the Messiah, trusting him for all of life. But following Jesus also means believing that Jesus will more than make up for the sacrifices that are a part of following him. Blessings follow and even come in the middle of struggles.
The Third Time Repeated Lesson of the Suffering Messiah. - Mark 10:32-52
This section follows the same pattern of the two before it. Jesus predicted his suffering and death. He then told the disciples that their lives and ministries would be like his.
Jesus Predicts his Death a Third Time. - Mark 10:32-34
This prediction is much like the first two (8:31-33; 9:30-32). They were
going up to Jerusalem. The word
up referred to altitude. Jerusalem was about 3,000 feet higher in altitude than Jericho. See v. 46. Jesus
was going ahead. As he boldly led the way to his messianic death in Jerusalem, his disciples lagged behind. It seems that they were
amazed that Jesus was so determined to go to Jerusalem when he expected to be killed there. Others followed along with them and they
were afraid. Jesus confirmed the disciples' worst expectations when he said
we in verse 33. They would share in his danger in Jerusalem. Jesus added a new fact to his earlier predictions. The
Gentiles would be involved in his death.
Demands of Servanthood. - Mark 10:35-45
The disciples still had not learned Jesus' teaching on greatness and servanthood (9:33-37).
Disciples asked Jesus to grant their wish. - Mark 10:35
It is odd that the disciples asked Jesus to grant their wish before they even told him what they wanted. Perhaps they knew he was going to disapprove. In Matt.20:20-21 their mother was involved.
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