Values of the Kingdom
How important is marriage to God? Is it serious? Its not to be done frivolously. It is something very serious and should be considered wisely. These Pharisees tried to trick Jesus by asking the question of whether or not its lawful for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus’ response was to go to the Word of God, the Torah of Moses specifically. Their reply was Moses gave the option to divorce. Jesus’ reply was that this only was allowed because of the hardness of the Children of Israel’s heart. God’s intent is not for divorce but unity for what God has put together, no man should try to split. The disciples didn’t understand His statement and asked Him privately to expound on it. Its ok not to understand the revelations of God, but it isn’t ok that you don’t inquire if you don’t understand.
Jesus Blesses the Children
Children were not particularly considered viable in society in those times. They were the least of the least. But Jesus turns that concept upside down and says if we don’t accept the Kingdom of God with the innocence, teachability, fragility and dependent mindset of a harmless child, we can’t have access to it.
A Rich Man Meets Jesus
There is no One good but the Father. Our works aren’t enough. Keeping the commandments isn’t enough. Its not the deeds per se but where the heart is seated. The king of the Rich Man’s heart was his money. It is a free thing to come to Jesus, but it will cost you everything. Jesus loved this man and wanted him to see that his heart needed to change and the only way to do so was to remove the distraction of riches. Are you surrendered to Jesus? Its not as though Jesus is telling all of us to sell all we have to the poor. But if He asked us to give something away, could we? It could be the thing that causes you to turn back and prevent you from going to the next level. A test will come upon us and reveal what is truly in our hearts. Will we acknowledge what’s in our hearts and let Jesus heal us, or will we conceal the nature of our hearts and go our own path? Scarcely will a rich person enter into the kingdom, because their possessions have possession over their hearts. The disciples were astonished by this. Well then who can be saved they thought, but the dichotomy of this is that you can be wealthy and have a heart for Jesus, and you can be wealth and have a heart to get more wealth. Its all a matter of the heart.
With God all things are possible. Many people say this but when it really comes down to it, they don’t exhibit that they have that faith. People try to get around things and make themselves comfortable. But to experience this type of faith, you have to get out of that comfort zone. If the rich man would have left his wealth, He would have gained it back as Jesus said in Mark 29-31. God wants to see where our hearts are and He wants us to remove attachments to earthly things that tarnish and perish. Rather, He wants us to us to attach ourselves to something infallible and eternal: Jesus. When He looks into our hearts and discerns with perfect vision that our hearts are truly attached to Him, He rewards us with all that had before and then some as He did with Job.
Jesus Prophecies His Death and Resurrection
Can you imagine having walked with Jesus as one of the disciples and have him tell you in graphic detail that he would die soon?
James & John Ask a Favour
John and James did not fully understand that the baptism Jesus would endure was a baptism of death. Yet, after they were told He would die a brutal death, they asked to be His right hand men. They did not get what He said. There would be death before there would be victory in glory to sit on a royal throne.
Jesus Heals Blind Bar-Timai
Though the crowed wanted to shut the mouth of this blind man, Jesus didn’t not, as many do, assimilate with the mindset of this crowd. He instead acknowledged His request knowing that the man had faith to be healed. Again, faith is all it takes to perform miracles.
Summary
- Pray and fast so you will last.
- Never let your gift become your ruler.
- Don’t let possessions have possession over your heart.
- Allow God to do the impossible in your life, 27
- Have childlike faith
- Strive not to be first but have a heart to serve
- It will cost you to follow Christ
- There is communion in union
- Good works aren’t good enough
- Follow God’s commandments just as he meant
- Be careful whom you yoke yourself to
- Don’t let others silence your faith
