From the Least to the Greatest!
Jesus must have been very patient to listen to them discuss who was the greatest among them! Interestingly, Mark spends little time in this section since his source (Peter) was likely very shameful of thinking in those terms. Nonetheless, this conversation leads us to Jesus’s little lambs – children.
Chapter 10 takes us away from Capernaum to a place across the Jordan called Perea. Some theologians have referred to this chapter as the Perean Ministry. This chapter varies from discussions about divorce to healing and again the foretelling of his passion in Jerusalem that was getting much closer.
Read Mark 10:1-12.
Perea: Perea was the country beyond the Jordan River extending south from the Sea of Galilee to halfway down along the Dead Sea. The Greek translation is “the country beyond.” Perea was established by Herod the Great and was bequeathed to Herod Antipas along with Galilee. Perea as described would have been in portions of the tribes of Reuben, Gad and part of Manasseh.
Questions were addressed to Jesus re: Moses’ certificate of divorce. What was Jesus’ response? In God’s perfect plan of creation, He made man and woman and made them ONE. Once sin entered into the world, the “one man and one woman” plan went out the window. Moses was left with no other choice but to settle conflict in the marriage. Matthew chapter 19 lists only one cause for divorce. What is it (19:9)?
Read Mark 10:13-16
The subject matter now changes to little ones – lambs and their shepherd. The disciples were rebuked for forbidding the children from seeing Jesus.
- To what does Jesus liken little children? See verse 15.
- What lesson can we adults learn from these verses re: being more child-like?
Read Mark 10:17-31
The next section discusses a young rich man who asked an interesting question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
- What did the man indicate he has done? Was he correct in his statement?
- Rather than question his accuracy, Jesus just looked and him and loved him. What could Jesus see in his heart?
- In a similar story of wealth, what did Zacchaeus offer to do? See Luke 19:8-9. What is the difference between Zacchaeus and this young rich man?
Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech. In rhetoric, it is also sometimes known as auxesis (lit. “growth”). In poetry and oratory, it emphasizes, evokes strong feelings, and creates strong impressions. As a figure of speech, it is usually not meant to be taken literally.
Jesus uses a hyperbole here about entering the kingdom. The eye of the needle is not well understood. Some theologians have suggested that Jesus was referring to the city gate in Jerusalem which had a small pedestrian gate. How could a camel get through such a small gate? Still others suggest He was talking literally about a needle and its eye. Under either version, Jesus meant it’s impossible.
- What was the disciple’s concern in verse 26?
- Can anyone please God?
- What is the result of following Jesus? In this life? And the life to come?
After Jesus reminds his disciples of His intended trip to Jerusalem, James and John request something like a little child would say. “We want you to do whatever we say.” How many times has a parent heard that from a child? Let’s read 10: 33-45.
- James and John certainly did not understand what they were asking. But, in just a short time, Jesus himself asked what of the Heavenly Father?
- The lesson in this section talks about servanthood – i.e. it’s the least (servant) will be the greatest. How did Jesus make this clear in the last few verses in this section?
- How would you define, “Ransom for many?”
Ransom: The word comes from an old Latin word redemptio meaning to buy back. In Judaism (kofer-nefesh) it was applied to the poll tax of a half shekel to be paid by every male over 12 years at the census.
As Jesus, the 12 and the following crowd were leaving Jericho, they approached a blind man sitting begging at the side of the road. His name was Bartimaeus.
- How did Bartimaeus address Jesus?
- Who is this “Son of David?”
- By using this title, what did Bartimaeus show?
Son of David: The Son of David is used in the New Testament (“N. T.”) 17 times. It is a messianic title but shows the physical genealogy of Jesus to David. Both Joseph and Mary were descendants of David thus fulfilling prophesy (2 Samuel 7:14ff). Jesus is the long-awaited Deliverer like his ancestor did by physically delivering Israel from its enemies.
Jesus’ healing of his eyesight was physical, yes, but when Jesus said, “Go,” what followed
Questions for the Day
- Little children are used by Jesus here in his various discussions about the Kingdom. In the opening section he is certainly talking about little ones, but in the concluding verses of the Rich Man after his disciple’s question, “Who then can be saved?” Is he addressing the disciples as children or actual little ones?
- The Rich Man used the correct verb, inherit vs. earn. What is generally implied when someone inherits something? Describe personally what it means to be in the family of God.
- Spiritual eyesight is only possible by faith. The author of Hebrews describes faith, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.” Was Bartimaeus really blind?