Mark 10-12

10:11-12 - when is the last time you heard a sermon on this?

10:22 - the rich, young ruler's response to Jesus's command to give away all his possessions has always fascinated me. He doesn't say anything. The verse says, "At this, the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth." It was a foregone conclusion that he would not obey this command of Jesus (which was Jesus's point of asking him to do it - the guy had come up to Jesus acting like he wanted to be obedient and claimed he had been obedient to the 10 commandments his whole life [a lie]). Isn't it interesting that he went away sad because he had great wealth. Wouldn't it have made more sense to say, "He went away sad because he knew he could never part from all his great wealth," or "He went away, but it didn't bother him because he had great wealth." Another great example of the truth that you cannot serve 2 masters. One last point here - can you imagine what the Disciples were thinking? "Jesus, that guy could've really helped the Cause. We wanted to do some cool brochures about the Kingdom and even get some airtime on Jerusalem radio and you just blew the guy off!"

10:33-37 - talk about your slap in the face! Jesus lays out how he is going to lay down His life and the next thing we read is how James & John are hitting Jesus up to be his vice-president. "Yeah, yeah, yeah...enough talk about sacrificing your life for us, Jesus. Let's talk about something cool like...us...and what we get out of this deal." Ouch.

10:45 - simply one of the greatest verses (and greatest statements) in the Bible: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. This thought could end so many arguments between people (namely husbands and wives) it's not even funny.

10:51 - Jesus asks Blind Bartimaeus this question: "What do you want me to do for you?" If Jesus asked you this today, what would your answer be? Don't give an answer like "world peace," because you don't mean that and you're not in a beauty pageant. Plus, He's already going to take care of that someday. I'm not sure what I'd say - I need some time to think this one through. Blind Bartimaeus answered quickly because he was keenly aware of his greatest need. Solomon sure answered this one right when God asked him what he wanted (see 1 Kings 3)

11:8-11 - what thoughts were going through the mind of Jesus as he looks on these people praising Him and pointing to Him as the Messiah they've been waiting for, knowing all the while that these same people would be calling for His cruel death in a matter of days? This may be the definition of bittersweet. It also reminds us that men and women are fickle - therefore, to spend a bunch of mental, emotional, or physical energy trying to keep and maintain man's approval is a worthless pursuit.

11:15-16 - where's your flannel-board Jesus now? So much for meek and mild Jesus. John records that He got a whip out to run the money changers away. Ha ha! There's one more point here - I once had someone tell me we should never sell anything on church grounds and they cited this passage. I don't see it that way. I believe Jesus's righteous anger was NOT over the fact that business was taking place. His anger was more probably rooted in His hatred of how poor people were exploited and how this "business" was crooked and basically robbed people (which especially hurt the poor who just wanted to worship God).

12:13-17 - more than just paying taxes. The Pharisees try to trick Jesus with a tax question (should we pay taxes to Caesar?). Jesus asks them, "Whose portrait (or image) is on this coin?" The answer was Caesar. Jesus then says, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's..." But He doesn't stop there - he adds, "...and give to God what is God's." The primary interpretation (which I agree with) is that you should pay your taxes to the government and you should not forget tithes/offerings to God. I think He's saying more than just "pay your taxes." I think He's also loudly saying that you owe your life to God. Here's where I get this - the word used for portrait (eikon in the Greek) is also used in Romans 8:29 when it says that God is conforming us into the image (eikon) of His Son. Throw in Genesis 1:26 where God says He is going to make man in His "image" (tselem - Hebrew equivalent of eikon), and I think you see the point. Whose mark/portrait/image is on us? Then we ought to give ourselves to that fully as well, and not cheat the person whose mark/portrait/image is on us.