Mark Vol. 2 - Week 12 (10:13-31)
The Marks Of Discipleship
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Mark 10:13-31
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The Marks Of Discipleship 〰️ Mark 10:13-31 〰️
This week's passage is much lighter than last, as Mark 10:13-31 takes us through three of Jesus's teachings. I think the ways God works in our church are beautiful. As we've been going through the book of Mark this year, this passage happened to fall on Foster Care & Adoption Sunday, something we had planned for a while. We spent the morning celebrating and showing support for our foster and adoptive families and those who volunteer to keep this ministry thriving! And next Sunday, November 17, we have child dedications for all of the families in our church. Child dedication is always a sweet time, as we witness parents stand before the congregation and commit to raising their children in the ways of Jesus, and we, as the church, commit to supporting them by helping them raise their little ones. In this week's passage, we see Jesus encouraging people to bring their children to Him. "Let the little children come to me," Jesus said, "Don't stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (v14).
This week's passage very interestingly takes us down a single trail of thought and displays Mark's intentionality in how his Gospel account is crafted:
v13-16
After speaking to adults about divorce in v1-12, Jesus now instructs those listening to have faith like a child, living a life of humble dependence. Children spend their childhoods being told to grow up and act like adults, but here, Jesus is telling adults to be like children.¹ Our Lord requires us to depend on Him like a child is to their father or mother, and there is no room in the Kingdom of God for the prideful.
v17-22
Next, our Lord addresses the rich young ruler. In this portion, the young man asks Jesus how he can inherit eternal life. "You lack one thing..." Jesus replies, "Go, sell all you have and give to the poor..." (v21). Jesus tells him that obeying commands to check the box is not enough; Jesus is concerned with the heart. "No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:24). Because He knew what the rich young ruler valued most, Jesus asked him to give it all away, to place the Kingdom of God above all else. Mere religious obedience is not enough. The Pharisees themselves were good at obeying the Law by the letter but missed the purpose and heart behind the Law and, in turn, missed Jesus.
v23-31
Lastly, Jesus addresses those around Him, likely immediately after delivering this crushing news to the rich young ruler (v22). "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" (v23). It's not impossible, Jesus says (v27), but it is very difficult. Earthly possessions and distractions will always present challenges and barriers for those who follow Jesus. We must keep our eyes on our Lord (Heb. 12:2) and the Kingdom of God.
To be clear, money in itself is not morally evil, but the love of money can be the start of corruption (1 Tim 6:9-10). Jesus warns us that by depending on earthly things, we're prone to stray from the Lord. We cannot follow Jesus with a childlike faith while also finding comfort and safety in money or possessions. In our cultural context, financial security is a high priority for many of us. And while it is right to steward what God has given us, we must be cautious not to find our identity, safety, or solace in it.
Discussion Questions
What stood out to you from the passage?
Does anything in this passage remind you of another part of Scripture?
Do you have any questions?
What do you think it means to receive the Kingdom of God like a child?
What does it mean for us to "sell all you have and give to the poor" today?
What does Jesus say is a barrier to entering the Kingdom of God? What do you think He meant by this?
Why do you think Jesus emphasized wealth as a barrier for those wishing to enter the Kingdom of God?
Reread v22. In what ways are we similar to the rich young ruler, wishing that following Christ was easier and required less of us?
Let's close by reading Psalm 119:30-40 together.
1. Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary: New Testament Vol. 1 (Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministry), 145.