Introduction:
A. One day, a 3 year-old girl named Charlotte received a certificate of achievement following her last swimming lesson.
1. When her dad came home from work that evening, her mom handed her dad the certificate and said to the little girl, “Charlotte, would you like to tell your daddy what this is?”
2. 3 year-old Charlotte thought for a moment, then with her proudest, most confident voice she exclaimed, “Oh, Daddy, that is my terrificate!”
B. Don’t you just love children?
1. They can say the funniest things and they also can say the profoundest things.
2. Every child should be given a “terrificate” and so should every adult.
3. God thinks that all of us are “terrific” because we are made in God’s image.
4. God values and loves every single person – no matter their age, or size, or bank accounts.
C. In today’s section from the Gospel of Mark, we are going to see that Jesus loves the little people and the big people.
1. Today, we will hear Jesus teaching some important lessons about little people and big people.
I. Lessons about Little People
A. Last week we noticed that Jesus had moved from teaching with His disciples privately, to teaching the crowds in public.
1. The public setting gave the Pharisees an opportunity to question Jesus and try to trap Him.
2. The public setting also gave mothers an opportunity to bring their children to Jesus to be blessed by Him.
3. As we will see, it seems that Murphy’s Law ruled everything the disciples said and did.
a. If anything could be said that was wrong, they would say it, and if anything could be done wrong, they would do it.
b. Both blunders are illustrated when mothers brought their children to Jesus for blessing.
B. Mark wrote: 13 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. (Mk. 10:13)
1. Can you picture a long line of mothers and children lined up to be blessed by Jesus?
a. We see this kind of thing happen at Christmas time with the mall Santa or when politicians are campaigning.
b. The persistence of these mothers who brought their children to Jesus is inferred by Mark’s verb tense that means that they “kept on bringing their children” to Jesus.
2. According to the custom at the time of Jesus, mothers made sure their children were blessed by a distinguished rabbi after their first birthday.
3. Although the word Mark used for “children” can include an age range from one to twelve, Mark’s later reference to Jesus taking them into His arms suggests the children were young.
C. The apostles didn’t like what was happening and tried to put it to an end.
1. Mark says that the disciples rebuked them – meaning they rebuked the mothers.
2. They saw these moms and their children as interfering with Jesus’ important work of teaching.
3. Their motives may have been good and right, but their feelings and conclusions were wrong.
4. Despite the fact that they have been with Jesus more than two years now, they still had not caught the heart and spirit of Jesus.
5. Even after Jesus’ recent words about receiving a little child was a way of receiving Him and His Father, they still didn’t get it (Mk. 9:36-37).
D. When Jesus saw that they were preventing the mothers from approaching Him, He was greatly displeased.
1. Mark wrote: 14 When Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mk. 10:14-15)
2. Mark says that Jesus was “indignant” – what they were doing angered Him and Jesus gave them a stern reprimand.
3. Jesus’ statement about children teaches us that children are innocent in God’s eyes and are automatically a part of God’s kingdom.
a. There will be a time when the guilt of their sin begins to be held against them and at that time they must experience the new birth in order to be a part of God’s kingdom.
4. Jesus’ main point is that adults must have spirits like children in order to enter God’s kingdom.
a. Those with a childlike nature are the ones who can enter the kingdom through the new birth.
b. Humility, obedience, and trust are natural traits of children and must be cultivated by adults.
c. People with haughty spirits and hardened hearts cannot enter God’s kingdom.
d. While children should look to adults and follow their example, there are also ways that adults should follow the example of children.
e. Children have traits that even mature Christians must acquire and retain in order to enter God’s kingdom and to stand strong in the Lord.
E. Mark concluded this story saying: After taking them in his arms, he laid his hands on them and blessed them. (Mk. 10:16)
1. Only Mark tells us of the tender touch of Jesus as He took the children into His arms and blessed them.
2. The tenderness of Jesus is seen in the phrase “He took them up” which could be rendered “He folded them into His arms.”
3. Artists throughout time have loved to paint this scene from the life of Jesus.
a. What more precious picture can there be than one of little children in Jesus’ arms?
b. It tells us so much about who God is and what God is like.
c. God loves children and children were comfortable in the arms of God.
d. It speaks to the important priority that children are – Jesus took time from His busy schedule to share His love and blessings with children.
4. Jesus’ example speaks loudly to us: “Treat children the way that I treated children.”
a. Children should always be welcome and included and should never be viewed as a bother.
b. Two of the greatest tragedies in the world occur when children are physically forsaken and spiritually forsaken.
c. Caring for children and providing what they need physically and spiritually should be a given for the church and for Christians.
d. Interceding for children should always be a priority.
e. Calling upon the Lord in prayer for our children is one of the greatest things we can do for them as a church and as parents and grandparents.
5. Each of us should ask ourselves: What are my attitudes and actions toward the children around me? Are my attitudes and actions like those of Jesus toward children? If not, then some serious change is needed. Amen!
II. Lessons about Big People
A. After addressing this situation with mothers and children, Jesus started on His way but was stopped when a man came to Him with a question.
1. Mark wrote: 17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk. 10:17)
2. All three of the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) tell about this encounter and by putting all three accounts together, we learn that this man was a rich, young, ruler.
3. We would call him a “high achiever,” or a “power broker,” or an “influencer.”
4. What an interesting contrast between the last story where helpless children without power or status stand in sharp contrast with this young man with stunning achievements and high status.
B. Yet, despite his wealth and position, and his spiritual involvement, this young man still lacked spiritual satisfaction and the assurance of salvation.
1. But we have to give him credit for coming to the right person (Jesus), assuming the right posture (he knelt down), and asking the right question (what must I do to inherit eternal life?).
2. It’s obvious that this young man had some previous knowledge of Jesus and may have been in the audience when Jesus answered the Pharisees question and when He blessed the children.
3. Jesus’ initial response to the young man is interesting, Jesus said: 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone.” (Mk. 10:18)
4. Some people believe that Jesus was denying His deity saying something like: “Don’t call me good. Reserve that word for God alone!”
5. On the contrary, rather than denying His own deity, I believe that Jesus was positively affirming it by telling the young man that it is right to call Jesus good since He is God.
C. Since this young man lived under the law of Moses, Jesus pointed him to God’s OT commands.
1. Jesus said: 19 “You know the commandments: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not defraud; honor your father and mother.” 20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.” (Mk. 10:19-20)
2. Prior to the death and resurrection of Jesus, the law of Moses was still in force.
a. The law had been given to point out sin until Jesus came as the sacrifice for sin.
b. Had Jesus or His disciples been asked this question after Jesus’ death and resurrection, then the answer given to the young man would have been different.
3. When Jesus pointed the young man to the law, the young man replied that he had kept the law.
a. I’m amazed at the young man’s confidence about how well he had kept the law.
b. I assume that his assessment was accurate because Jesus didn’t challenge him.
c. Jesus could have said, “Wait just a minute. Don’t you remember that time that you…”
d. Notice that those commands were about bad things to avoid more than good things to do.
e. True righteousness involves both avoiding evil and doing good.
D. Mark shared something that neither Matthew or Luke shared.
1. Mark said: Looking at him, Jesus loved him…(Mk. 10:21a).
2. Jesus locked eyes with the young man, not with a glaring, cold stare, but with tender, loving, compassionate eyes.
3. Jesus looked deeply into the young man’s soul and for the most part, liked what He saw.
4. Jesus then identified the one thing the man lacked and presented him a great challenge.
5. Jesus said to him: “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mk. 10:21b)
a. In Matthew’s rendition, Jesus said, “If you wish to be complete, then go sell everything…”
6. Jesus was asking the young man to renounce everything and follow Him.
7. Jesus was inviting him to join His band of followers for Jesus had others following Him in addition to the 12 apostles.
8. To sell all that a person has and to give everything to the poor is not a general command for all of Jesus’ followers, but it was the one given by Jesus to meet this one young man’s need.
9. Although the apostles left their businesses to follow Jesus, they didn’t have to liquidate their assets and give it all away.
10. With Zaccheus the repentant tax collector, when repentance and salvation came to him, he voluntarily offered to make restitution, but Jesus didn’t require Zaccheus to give it all away.
E. Mark recorded the young man’s response with these words: 22 But he was dismayed by this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions. (Mk. 10:22)
1. Jesus had shattered the young man’s dream of doing just one more small act to attain eternal life.
2. Mark says that he was dismayed – the young man went away grieved because of his wealth.
3. How sad to have been that close to God and to becoming an intimate follower of the Messiah!
4. The young man had approached Jesus with such hope, but went away with sadness.
5. Jesus must have been even more sorrowful to watch the young man walk away, but Jesus didn’t run after Him with a less demanding requirement.
6. We don’t know if the young man later changed his mind and sought out Jesus again, but sometimes one great opportunity to turn to God is all some people get.
F. Jesus decided to use this situation as a lesson for “big” people.
1. Mark wrote: 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were astonished at his words. (Mk. 10:23-24a)
a. Why were the disciples astonished by Jesus statement? Because it was contrary to the prevailing opinions about wealth.
b. The Jews believed that wealth was a sign of God’s special favor and an indication of spirituality.
c. They assumed that material prosperity meant you were living a good life and that God was pleased, while poverty was a sign that you were not living a good life and God was not pleased – think about the stories of Abraham and Job.
d. Instead of saying that it’s hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God, they would have said that a rich person has a better chance of entering the kingdom – think of all the alms that the rich could give!
2. But reading their reaction, Jesus came back with more clarity and severity: Again Jesus said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mk. 10:24b-25)
a. Jesus used a popular saying that illustrated something impossible - It’s impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.
b. Some have suggested that Jesus was referring to a small gate called “Needle’s Eye,” which was very difficult for camels to go through standing up, but could get through on their knees, but there is no ancient evidence that it was called by that name in the time of Jesus.
c. Jesus wasn’t trying to describe something that was difficult, but something that was impossible – like a literal camel going through a literal eye of a needle.
3. Again Mark tells us that the disciples were astonished and even more so: 26 They were even more astonished, saying to one another, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Looking at them, Jesus said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.” (Mk. 10:26-27)
a. The disciples response was, “If this law-following, rich young man can’t be saved, then who can?”
b. Basically, Jesus’ response was: “No one can save themselves, only God can.”
c. Rich man or poor man, giver of gifts or thief – no one can enter by their own merit, but all can be saved by the gift of God.
4. Jesus wasn’t trying to say that it’s a sin to be rich and that the righteous are poor.
a. Not all rich people are bad and not all poor people are good.
b. Ultimately, there is something radically wrong with all of us – we are sinners – and nothing and no one can save us but God.
5. What Jesus was trying to make abundantly clear is that money can create more problems than poverty.
a. Wealth can fix a person’s heart on the things of this world and money has the power to blind us to our spiritual need.
b. Loving money and trusting in money leads a person to spiritual ruin.
c. It is possible for a person to be rich without loving and trusting in their money, but it is very hard.
d. Humble people are rarely found among the rich, but they can become so with God’s help.
6. I can’t help but think that Jesus was looking to see if the rich young ruler would receive the kingdom of God like a child – humbly, obediently, and trustingly, or would he cling to pride and possessions.
a. If a rich person comes to God, then they must come as a spiritually poor person.
b. Both rich and poor must confess their sinfulness and must recognize their helplessness to save themselves.
G. Peter, the great outspoken one, couldn’t help but speak up.
1. Mark wrote: 28 Peter began to tell him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” (Mk. 10:28)
2. Don’t you just love Peter? I wonder if after Peter said that statement if he asked: “Did I say that out loud?”
3. Basically, Peter pointed out to Jesus that they had done what the rich young man had failed to do, so he was wondering what their reward would be.
H. Thankfully, Jesus had comforting words to offer to Peter and to us: 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said, “there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundred times more, now at this time —houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions —and eternal life in the age to come. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mk. 10:29-31)
1. Jesus reassures Peter and us saying that a person cannot give anything to God that will not be restored to him one hundred times greater.
2. And those blessings will be experienced in this world and in the next.
3. It is best to consider these returned blessings as spiritual rather than material and to realize that the rewards may not be of the same nature of the things given up but that they are equivalent in value or better.
4. The greatest earthly blessing is that we are a part of the family of God with countless mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers in Christ.
5. Anyone who has ever traveled around our country or around the world will have experienced the “possession” of homes and families as you have been shown hospitality and love by Christians.
a. The Peck’s home in Searcy, Arkansas had been a home for many of us while our kids went to Harding University.
b. At the time of Abby’s car accident, a family in Louisville, Kentucky, who we had never met, took us into their home and fed us for almost a week.
c. I’ve experienced Christian hospitality in Prague and Africa and everywhere I have traveled, even in California!
6. But Jesus didn’t want them to think that everything was going to be rosy and easy – along with all these blessings, there was also going to be persecutions – any yet in the end even persecutions lead to eternal rewards.
7. And the first will be last and visa versa – those who receive earthly honors will likely not receive heavenly ones, and those who are despised here because of Jesus will be honored later.
I. Jesus’ lesson for us “big” people is that we must beware of the danger of the love of money.
1. We must make money our servant and not allow it to be our master.
2. We must put our entire trust in God and offer everything we are and everything we have in service to God.
3. We must enter the kingdom like little children with complete humility and trust.
4. We must continue living and serving in God’s kingdom with complete humility and love, trust and obedience.
5. With God all things are possible and so our trust must be in God and not in ourselves.
Resources:
• Truth for Today Commentary: Mark 1-8 and 9-16, Martel Pace, Resources Communications.
• Jesus Addresses His Society, Sermon by David Owens
• Mark – Be Diligent, The Bible Exposition Commentary by Warren Wiersbe, Victor Books.
• Mark, The Communicator’s Commentary, David McKenna
