May 12, 2013
Mark 10:23-31


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Outline:


2 Important Contextual Details:


1. Jesus is on a direct and deliberate journey to Jerusalem.

2. Jesus encounters the Rich Young Ruler who leaves for “he had many possessions.”

[Mark 10:23-24] “Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!” 


Jesus makes 2 similar but distinct statements:

1. “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”


2. “How hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!” 

I believe with the R.Y.R. as the context, Jesus issues two statements because He’s wanting to make 2 separate points:

1. “It is hard for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”

This statement “astonished” the disciples because riches, wealth, and health were viewed as the two most basic indicators of God’s blessings and favor. 

Monetary accumulation was viewed in society as God’s stamp of approval. 

Being poor or sick was viewed in society as evidences of sin and judgment.

Sad to say this is still a very popular religious belief.


Jesus handling of the R.Y.R. undermined this entire notion and it illustrated 2 fundamental problems with this particular outlook:

A) It lacks a theological consistency.

Why does this “theology” exist in the first place? 

It is true that monetary blessings and health was an indicator of God’s pleasure with Israel. It’s also true that in many instances sickness and poverty was also an indicator of God’s displeasure.


Problem: These things were never established as a universal indicator of God’s pleasure or displeasure, and it’s impossible to establish a Biblical model of Theistic Karma (Health & Wealth, Prosperity Gospel).

In Scripture it is equally true that we have example after example of bad things happen to righteous people while the wicked prosper.

  • Joseph as a slave in Egypt wasn’t evidence of God’s displeasure..


  • Job loosing it all wasn’t an indicator that he was being punished.


  • Most of the Old Testament prophets were poor, but faithful. 


  • New Testament examples are equally vast.


If true the R.Y.R. would have been the prototype for this theology, but Jesus had already shown his moral standing to be nothing more than a fraud.

Outward morality is no more an indicator of inward morality than outward monetary blessings an indicator of God’s favor.

B) It fosters a false sense of security. 

As we noted last week, the R.Y.R’s wealth was so intertwined with his self-righteousness and moralism that He rejected the invitation to follow Jesus.

Theistic Karma is devastating because it.... 
  • Promotes works-based instead faith-based salvation. 
  • Encourages earning verses receiving God’s favor.

  • Establishes self-rightness over of Jesus-imparted righteousness.


2. “It is hard for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!” 


Note: Jesus is not saying there is anything wrong with being wealthy (wealthy people are all over Scripture: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, etc.) - what Jesus is instead addressing in a person’s heart towards these riches. 

Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.”

If money is viewed as a tool given to you by God to be used for the furtherance of His kingdom - then you’re trusting in God, not your money.

If money is viewed as something you’ve earned with the purpose of providing future security and present comfort - then you’re trusting in your money instead of God. 

The litmus test for whether or not you have a proper perspective on money  (whether it’s been given by God or earned by me) is whether or not you tithe. 

D.L. Moody, “I can learn more about a man by looking at his checkbook than I can by glancing at his prayer book.”

Note: It’s interesting everyone places “the rich” in context of being someone else!

We do this for 2 subtle reasons:

1. We all believe we need just a little more when it comes to money.

2. There is always someone with more money than I have.

Irony: If you live in America you are the rich!

U.S. citizens currently in the lowest 5% income bracket are still richer than 70% of the remaining citizens of the world.

The poorest American (bottom 5%) still enjoys a greater level of wealth than the richest 5% in the nation of India (an emerging nation).

If you were to place America in context of human history, the poorest 1% among us are easily among the top 1% wealthiest people of all time.

[Mark 10:25] “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.”


Eye of a needle” is the section of a sewing needle with a loop for pulling thread.

Two theories as to what Jesus is referencing:


Theory 1: There was a gate in Jerusalem called the “Eye of a Needle.”
 
Problem: There is zero archeological proof of this gate ever existing.


Theory 2: Jesus was quoting a common proverb to illustrate His point. 

The Babylonian Talmud is the earliest reference of this proverb. 

Interesting they used an elephant instead of camel. 

It’s believed Jesus modernized the quote by using a “camel” since it would have been the largest animal the disciples would have been familiar with.


Q: What point is Jesus trying to make?


A: Riches can really mess with the spiritual condition of man!

2 ways riches can have a devastating effect on your spiritual condition:

1. Money can be an evil mistress! 

1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

World’s atrocities are often perpetrated by the wealthiest among us.

2. Money can be a brutal master! 

You either surrender your money to Jesus or you surrender to your money!

You either work for more money or put your money to work for Jesus.

You either rule it or it rules you!

Rockefeller, “The poorest man I know is the man who has nothing but money.”

I’d like to add 3 additional reasons riches can be dangerous:
  • Riches can produce a satisfaction with this life instead of a longing for the next.
  • Riches produce independence when Jesus requires total dependence.
  • Rich people are often very successful doers and poor receivers. 

  • Riches naturally have such a potent grip on a man’s soul that it becomes extremely difficult for that person to receive the kingdom as a child. 


[Mark 10:26-27] “And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”


What Jesus is saying was so radically different and contrarian to the religious way of thinking the disciples are left with the only logical question.... “If the R.Y.R isn’t good enough and the rich will have a hard time entering heaven, “who then can be saved?”

Jesus’ answer is profound: 

“With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

Break down what Jesus is saying:

The “it” in the sentence is salvation - “Who can be saved?”

The word “with” is not only key to the sentence structure, but is also the key to unlocking what Jesus is saying.

“With” literally means “to accompany in the journey.”

Jesus is saying “with men” salvation is impossible, but “with God” or “accompanying God in the journey” salvation is completely possible!

[Mark 10:28] “Then Peter said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”



Important for Understanding: Matthew 19:27 adds, “Therefore what shall we have?”

Q: Where does this question coming from?

Jesus had asked the R.Y.R. to “sell whatever he had and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”

Peter is obviously comparing what they had done to what the R.Y.R. refused to do.

Peter is thinking, “We left all to follow Him.... now what about this treasure.” 

We should point out 2 important facts concerning the disciples:

1. Many of the disciples had made significant sacrifices to follow Jesus.

Peter, James, and John had a lucrative fishing business.

Matthew was a wealthy tax collector. 

2. “We have left all” - Greek word indicates a “once and for all” decision.

[Mark 10:29-30] “So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”


Jesus is telling Peter that the sacrifices these men had made to follow Him would be reciprocated in two phases: “in this time” and “in the age to come.”


Note: The reward to following Jesus is not just bestowed in the life to come, but begin at the point of conversion.

I think the church has missed out on a wonderful marketing opportunity. It’s not just a future eternal life that we’re selling.... it’s a life full of blessing today.

Jesus compares the sacrifice we make with the blessings we received in following Him.

1. Jesus begins with a presentation of the sacrifices we might make to follow Him.

“I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s....” 

You’ll notice Jesus uses the word “or” in the Greek construction of this sentence.

This indicates a particular emphasis on each word - meaning each item is to be thought of individually and not in a cumulative list.

Jesus is naming specific things specific individuals had actually sacrificed to follow him.... they left home, family, property, etc. 

2. Jesus then continues by stating some of the blessings God will give us.

“Who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.”

You’ll notice Jesus uses the word “and” in the Greek construction of this sentence.

This indicates a particular emphasis on what is being reciprocated - meaning Jesus is providing a list of all the encompassing blessings. 

Jesus is telling the disciples that if you sacrificed this OR this OR this OR this, you’ll receive this AND this AND this AND....

Point: The blessings we’ll receive in following Jesus will far outweigh any sacrifices we might have made!

Why is this the case?

1. God is just that good.

2. God will be a debtor to no man.

[Mark 10:31] “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”


Jesus introduced this concept back in Mark 9:35 when He and the disciples were staying the night in Capernaum. 

Since then, Jesus has been teaching on this theme for the last few days. 

Though this won’t be the last time Jesus addresses this concept, by reiterating the point at the end of verse 31 Mark is signifying a transition.

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