Tag: Mark 10
A Word of Knowledge!
Scripture reading for February 21: Mark 10
“And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, He began to tell them what was to happen to Him, saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock Him and spit on Him, and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days, He will rise.” Mark 10:32-34
This passage of Scripture describes the disciples and Jesus walking on the road to Jerusalem for the last time. Jesus had already told them on two other occasions that He would suffer and die in Jerusalem and then rise again on the third day. This was not fully understood by the disciples, and they were afraid as the journeyed onward. It is insightful that Jesus walked ahead of them. A good leader goes ahead and Jesus sought to help them by telling them what lie ahead as well. Through prayer and consultation with His Father, Jesus knew in detail the path that He would walk. He understood the mission and the demonstration of love that He would give to bring many souls to salvation and glory.
Jesus gave His disciples a word of knowledge of events to come. He demonstrated that as God, He knew the end from the beginning. He revealed details of the events to come that we know today took place just as He had foretold. Not only that, these events fulfilled Scripture thus proving God’s awesome fore-knowledge. He is comforting these disciples and us as well as He reveals the triumphant resurrection after three days. Our world view is expanded by Jesus’ amazing words of truth.
Have you ever followed Jesus with amazement and fear at the same time? Was there ever a time in your life when someone or God gave you a word of knowledge that calmed your fears? How does this story help you to trust Jesus Christ and His knowledge of your future?
Prayer: I thank You Father, that You know all things past, present and future. Thank You for calming my fears and amazing me at Your understanding and knowledge of details to come. As I call to You in my fear, reveal what I need to walk in faith through my trial. Amen.
Can you drink the cup?
Scripture reading for February 23rd: Mark 10
Key scriptures for over-comers: Mark 10:36-39 “What do you want Me to do for you?” He asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at Your right and the other at Your left in Your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered.”
Two of Jesus’ disciples, James and John, had ambitions to have positions of honor in His coming kingdom. They came to Jesus asking that they be granted this honor. Jesus never scolded them for their ambition but He never promised them the honor they had asked for. Rather, He asked them a question: “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” In Jewish Scripture and culture, the cup of wine was a symbolic picture of the wrath of God’s judgment on human sin. (Psalm 75:8) (Isaiah 51:17) Jesus was asking them if they were willing to suffer for their faith and place of honor in His kingdom. He was also reinforcing the fact that He Himself would drink this cup of wrath on all mankind’s behalf.
Observations for over-comers: It is good to aspire to places of honor in Jesus Christ’s kingdom. We must count the cost and be willing to lay our life down. God will decide who is worthy! “No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man. But it is God who judges. He brings one down, He exalts another. In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; He pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs.” (Psalm 75:6-8)
“Who then can be saved?”
Scripture reading for February 23rd: Mark 10
“People were bringing their 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, 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.” (Mark 10:13-15)
Jesus again impressed on His disciples their need to welcome children and the attitude that was required of all men to enter the kingdom of heaven. Religious pride can easily trap followers of Jesus. Into this setting a man came to Jesus and knelt before Him with a question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17) Jesus pointed this man to the commandments of God. This man was confident that he had kept them all from youth. Jesus looked at this man with great love and said, “One thing you lack, go, sell everything you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” Mark 10:21
Jesus welcomed this man and loved him, but when the man heard what Jesus required of him, he left sad, because he did not want to part with his great wealth. He failed to have the child-like attitude necessary to receive the kingdom. When the disciples heard this, they were amazed and asked each other, “Who then can be saved?” (Mark 10:26) Jesus plainly told them that man cannot save himself, but God makes salvation possible for all!
We cannot work for salvation, and no one can be good enough! Even giving our money away will not buy heaven! We must follow Jesus and trust in His gift of eternal life!