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Pursuing Jesus In The Gospel of Mark
Confronting The Culture
Mark 10:1-31

Introduction: Faith—Private or Personal?

It is said that if you repeat something enough times in a variety of ways, people will eventually accept what is being said as true. That clearly has been the case concerning faith. During the latter part of the 20^th Century, people began to accept the premise that one’s faith should be a private matter. This trend has carried over into the early years of the 21^st Century as people continue to repeat the idea that it’s fine for a person to value faith as long as one’s views are kept to oneself. Faith is a private matter that should be kept private.

This attempt to contain the expression of faith moved on a parallel track with the rise of relativism and the corresponding claim that there is no absolute truth. With subjectivism ruling the day, the press to keep faith private increased. Truth may be truth for you, but because it isn’t truth for everyone, it should be kept to yourself. And because there are so many different ways to express faith, it is now considered arrogant to believe there is only way to approach God, which would mean others need to hear and know the truth.

What’s the result? While previous generations shared a commonly agreed upon set of values where some things were right and some were wrong, we are no longer free to teach values because my values are only for me. It’s up to you—and solely up to you—to determine what you value.

Because we live in a confusing world where error is accepted as truth and truth is condemned as error, it’s imperative we understand the nature of the error repeated so many times that is now considered true. Faith is intimately personal, but personal and private are two very different matters. Just because faith is personal doesn’t require that it also be kept private. In fact, because faith is so personal, it should increase the priority of sharing what we believe is the revealed truth of God.

As we pursue Jesus in the Gospel of Mark, He provides a model for us as He confronts the culture of His day. Jesus confronts His society about three issues that are still relevant. Jesus speaks about the value of marriage, the value of children and the value of possessions. In doing so He shows us how to engage our 21^st Century culture.

Jesus Confronts His Culture About The Value Of Marriage (vv. 1-12)

We find Jesus moving toward Jerusalem as He leaves Galilee for the final time. As the crowds come, Jesus teaches them. As He teaches, the truth squad attacks. The focus of their attack is a question about divorce.

Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"

Mark 10:2 NIV

They had to be proud of their question. It’s the kind of question where it’s almost impossible to win with an answer. When Jesus answers the question they know He is going to alienate someone. If He opposes divorce on legal grounds, He will contradict the law given through Moses. If He makes divorce a moral issue, He risks losing His head as John The Baptist did at the hands of Herod.

Judaism took two very different approaches on the issue of divorce. One segment followed the rabbi Shammai in contending divorce could only be granted for immorality on the part of the husband. Those who followed the teachings of the more liberal Hillel interpreted Moses as permitting a man to divorce his wife for any dissatisfaction, whether that meant that she burned the toast or he had found a more desirable woman.

Jesus once again turns the trap against the Pharisees with a counter question.

"What did Moses command you?" he replied.

Mark 10:3 NIV

Look carefully at how they answer the question.

They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away."

Mark 10:4 NIV

Do you see the difference in the verb? Jesus asks what Moses commanded; they answer with what he permitted. Jesus uses the open door of the question about divorce to reinforce God’s ideal of marriage. There are three key lessons to consider…

1^st Lesson: Moses’ Permission For Divorce Is An Indictment On The Human Condition

Moses had to deal with a problem that had developed. Because divorce had become somewhat common, he took steps to limit it. Looking at Deuteronomy 24 we see that it was the man who had the right to divorce his wife. Divorce was included among many other rights not given to women. The bill of divorcement was given by the husband to assure other men that this woman was now free to remarry. In that Old Testament culture it was clearly allowed—and expected—that a woman would remarry. The big question was on what legal grounds a man could pursue divorce. In that culture Moses didn’t mention adultery as a reason for divorce. The prescribed punishment for adultery was execution by stoning. So, Moses’ hope was to reduce the amount of divorce taking place.

But Jesus responded, “He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts.

Mark 10:5 NLT

2^nd Lesson: God’s Purpose For Marriage Has Not Changed

Rather than stumbling on their question of legal interpretation, Jesus focuses on God’s purpose for marriage. Jesus doesn’t flinch. The temporary provision allowing divorce is not God’s norm. Jesus could have launched a searing attack on divorce. Instead He elevates the status of marriage.

"But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Mark 10:6-9 NIV

God’s formula is clear: 1 man & 1 woman for 1 lifetime. Jesus hasn’t dodged the question. He has used their Scripture to reinforce God’s intent in marriage. Some interpret the clarification Jesus gives later to His disciples as a new form of legalism.

Later, when he was alone with his disciples in the house, they brought up the subject again. He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery.”

Mark 10:10-12 NLT

3^rd Lesson: The Spirit Of The Law Has Contemporary Meaning

Instead of outlining new rules for divorce and remarriage, which is what Moses did, Jesus reinforces the priority of marriage. We must be careful not to look at passages like this one through the eyes of Pharisees emphasizing the letter of the law. Our goal should be to commit ourselves to honoring the spirit of God’s law.

As in the day of Moses, divorce still takes place—as it sometimes must. Human nature, however, still seeks the easy way out rather than seeking to first honor the commitment. Jesus would be the first to recognize divorce as a fact of life to be permitted under certain circumstances. Divorce is still a symptom of hardened hearts. As a resul,t the question we still ask is, “When is divorce allowed?” when the question should be, “What is God’s intent?”

Jesus Confronts His Culture About The Value Of Children (vv. 13-16)

It is a natural progression to move to addressing the value of children (first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes…). This is short so let’s read the entire passage first and then look at the people involved.

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Mark 10:13-16 NIV

Some Persistent Parents

It was customary for parents to bring their children to be blessed by a distinguished rabbi. At this point, no one was more distinguished than Jesus. This was usually done after the first birthday although the word Mark uses includes anyone from ages 1-12.

These parents wouldn’t take no for an answer. The wording tells us they kept on bringing their children to Jesus. Try to picture the scene. Many people are trying to get close to Jesus. Among them are parents with young children who are likely making noise. There is a lot of movement and noise that threatens to disturb Jesus’ teaching.

The Disgusted Disciples

The disciples take action to help Jesus be heard. Their motives may have been good as they try to protect Jesus so He can teach and have time to perform miracles. The truth is: they didn’t consider the children to be important. This is strange because Jesus has already used a child to teach them about greatness in God’s kingdom (Mark 9:36) and warned them how dangerous it is to cause a little one to stumble into sin (Mark 9:42-50). They hadn’t understood how much Jesus values children.

This speaks powerfully to our culture where children are threatened in many ways. From the battle over the sanctity of life in the womb to the vile evil of pornography to the tragedy of crack babies, our culture shouts that children aren’t important. Our culture flirts with pleasure that places the innocent in danger. People rush to protect their rights at the expense of those who are powerless to defend themselves. In the process, animals are often better protected than children. Those who love and honor God should be at the forefront in protecting children. In doing so we model…

An Angry Jesus

Jesus was indignant with the disciples. He flashes with anger at them for standing in the way. He defends the children and moves them to the top of those valued in the Kingdom of God. He commands the disciples to allow the children to come to Him. Then He makes a statement that needs to be taken seriously. How do we know that? He sets the statement apart by beginning, “I tell you the truth.” This isn’t the way people use the phrase today. When someone insists, “Well, to tell you the truth,” I wonder where the lies stop and the truth begins. This is the way Jesus says, “Make sure you don’t miss this because it’s really important!”

He says that children are better kingdom examples than adults. Children are better examples in their

Humble dependence on others

Receptivity and responsiveness

Acceptance of themselves

A child enjoys much but can explain little. Children live by faith every day as they trust others to take care of them and make sure they are safe. This is how Jesus wants us to live as children of the Heavenly Father.

A Loving Jesus

This account closes with Jesus doing the very thing the parents came seeking and the disciples tried to prevent. He takes the children into His arms, puts His hands on them and blesses them. Throughout the history of the church those who love God have placed the highest value on innocent, defenseless children. In our 21^st Century culture we are the ones Jesus calls to demonstrate His love.

Jesus Confronts His Culture About The Value Of Possessions (Mark 10:17-31)

As we pursue Jesus in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus refuses to skirt the issues that matter. He confronts His culture about the value of marriage and children. Next, He turns to our misplaced values when it comes to material possessions.

Have you seen the cell phone advertisement that reintroduces us to the deadly sins like greed, lust and slothfulness (laziness)? The final sin shown is envy, which happens to be the name of the phone being sold. If you have the phone everyone will envy you.

Now, it may not be the phone that entices you, but I will safely venture that we all experience envy in some way. I confess, “My envy almost always involves the latest, greatest high tech gadget.”

The account that we call The Rich Young Ruler exposes the powerful hold possessions have on us.

Whenever the most recent really big lottery jackpot has been won, the conversation at the gym invariably turns to what we would do if we had this much money. The discussion usually ends with a question, “But are they going to be any happier?” We look at each other, grudgingly admit they will and then laugh—all the time hoping we are wrong about them being happier.

This encounter between Jesus and the young man confirms what we hope: it takes more than money to make us truly happy.

The Sad Truth About Human Pursuits

There is, in fact, great sadness in the success of this young man. Think about it: Of all the people who came to Jesus, he is the only person who went away worse than he came. And this in spite of all that he had going for him, which was extensive. The world was at his doorstep. He held an office that gave him authority and respect. He possessed manners and morals that would have placed him at the top of the lists of the most admired. He had a deep spiritual desire.

With all that he has at his disposal, the rich young ruler asks the timeless question.

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Mark 10:17 NIV

It’s a good question he asks, but the assumptions are not.

He wrongly assumes goodness can be achieved

When he calls Jesus the Good Teacher, he is commending Jesus for what He has done and not for His character. That’s why Jesus responds as He does.

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.”

Mark 10:18 NIV

Jesus challenges the misconception that goodness can be achieved through effort rather than being given and possessed only by the grace of God.

He wrongly assumes eternal life can be earned

Jesus challenges the young man with the depth of the Ten Commandments. The young man puffs with pride in responding that he has kept the commandments all his life. Here, as their eyes lock, one of the most intimate connections Jesus ever experienced with someone occurs.

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Mark 10:21 NIV

The problem is the young man has kept the law well—on nine commandments. He stumbles and falls on the final one, “You shall not covet.”

The man's face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.

Mark 10:22 Message

He wrongly assumes everything can be bought for a price

The one thing he lacks—a living faith in God leading to eternal life—isn’t available for a price. There is a big difference between price and cost. Price is calculated by dollars. Cost is determined by values. For the young man the cost for eternal life is sacrificing everything he has because he is enslaved to it. He makes his choice and turns away in pain.

The Great Reversal Of Human Values

Jesus uses this encounter to turn the disciples’ viewpoints upside down. The conventional wisdom of that day assumed wealth and possessions were a sign of God’s blessing. The shock waves created by Jesus’ answer still shake people today.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Mark 10:23-25 NIV

Wealth has an unquenchable thirst and as one commentator observes “makes it hard to die.” Money makes a marvelous servant, but it is a demanding, unrelenting master.

The disciples are shocked.

The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?"

Mark 10:26 NIV

The answer from Jesus is a promise you can take to the bank.

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

Mark 10:27 NIV

The disciples understand Jesus reversal. Peter quickly moves to point out they have embraced poverty.

Peter tried another angle: "We left everything and followed you."

Mark 10:28 Message

Jesus uses this to teach them a lesson we also need to learn and relearn. He once again makes it clear this shouldn’t be missed.

Jesus said, "Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land—whatever—because of me and the Message will lose out. They'll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life! This is once again the Great Reversal: Many who are first will end up last, and the last first."

Mark 10:29-31 Message

Someone has said that Jesus threw the whole human parade into reverse. Generals will ride white horses behind marching foot soldiers, bishops will bring up the end of the processional behind the lowliest of the parishioners, and the wealthy in their purple robes will follow ragged peasants into the Kingdom of God. Death is the great equalizer.

David McKenna, Communicator’s Commentary, p. 212

Conclusion: All Things Are Possible With God!

Jesus confronted His culture honestly, lovingly and without compromise. Faith in Jesus is personal—one of the most personal aspects of our lives. Faith, however, is not private. We need to confront our culture honestly, lovingly and without compromise. It’s necessary, but it’s not easy. It may seem next to impossible. Listen: you are promised God’s provision for your need! This account made its way into my inbox a few days ago.

Helen Roseveare was a medical missionary to Zaire. She tells about the night she tried to save a mother in the labor ward. In spite of all the effort, the mother died, leaving the missionaries with a crying two-year-old daughter and a tiny, premature baby. They had no incubator. They had no electricity to run an incubator, and they had no special feeding facilities. And even though they lived on the equator, the nights were often chilly. They wrapped the baby in a blanket, they put him in box, and they stoked up a fire. They really needed a hot water bottle for the tiny newborn, but they discovered that the last one they had was burst and there was nowhere to get one. They put the baby as near the fire as they safely could and hoped it would be enough. It was a touch-and-go fight for that little life. And then came a little girl's prayer.

The next day, Helen, the missionary, had prayers with the orphanage children. She explained the problem of keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the need for a hot water bottle. She also told the children about the two-year-old sister who was crying because her mother died. That's when 10-year-old, Ruth, started talking to God.

She prayed, "Please, God, send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, because the baby will be dead. So please send it this afternoon. And while you're at it, would you please send me a dolly for the little girl so she'll know you really love her?" Inwardly, the missionary was struggling even to honestly say "amen" to that prayer. After all, the only way God could answer such a pointed prayer would be by sending her a parcel from her homeland in England. She had been in Africa for almost four years, and she'd never received a parcel from home! Besides, who would send a hot water bottle to someone living on the equator!

Well, that afternoon, a large, twenty-two pound parcel arrived on Helen's doorstep. Tears came to her eyes. She asked the orphanage children to help her unpack the package. Thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on this large cardboard box. The missionary lifted out some brightly colored jerseys, which she gave out to the excited children. Then the kids looked a little bored as she pulled out the knitted bandages for the leprosy patient. Then came a box of raisins. Helen put her hand in again. She felt—well, she had to pull it out to believe it. It was a brand new (uh huh) hot water bottle! Helen later said, "I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed He could."

Ruth, the little African girl with the bold prayer, rushed forward and she said, "Well, if God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!" And He did. At the bottom of the box was a beautifully dressed dolly. The parcel had been on the way for five months! It had been packed by Helen's former Sunday School class, whose leader obeyed a prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. Oh, yes, and a dolly. Five months before, God had provided the answer to the believing prayer of a 10-year-old girl to bring it in that afternoon.

Whatever you're facing right now—however big it is—that is the God you belong to. That's the God who provides every need for you in the most amazing ways! Relax in His proven provision and in His promise that all things are possible with God.