Suggested Teaching Objectives:

To teach the seriousness and importance of material vows.

To inspire pupils to win souls.

To teach that even children can be saved by simple faith.

To teach that the choice of anything in preference to Christ will lead people into a life of sadness forever.

To teach that the happiest and most useful life is to follow Jesus.

To teach that salvation is by faith in Christ and that He will give them Spiritual sight.

INTRODUCTION: There isn't anything more challenging than to be exhorted to do something by one who has done what he is calling upon others to do. In this chapter, Jesus challenges people to do things that either He had done or is readily seen to be of benefit to the doer.

At this point in the Gospel of Mark, we find Jesus has finished His Galilean ministry and goes to Perea. As He goes He continues to instruct His followers by precept, example, and further disclosure of His identity.

Vs. 1&2 -- In Perea as Jesus was now preparing to go to Jerusalem to die, the Pharisees tried once again to trap Him so they could demand His death. If Jesus denounced divorce they could accuse Him of going against Moses. If He approved divorce for every cause, they could accuse Him of being cruel and unjust. They could accuse Him of violating the sanctity of the home and family.

Vs. 3-5 - Jesus did not evade the question but gave the proper interpretation to the matter. He explained that Moses had permitted divorce because people were divorcing anyway as a result of indifference to God's way. Deuteronomy 24:1-4.

Vs. 6-9 -- But God's way and will is that a marriage never be consummated. There is but two ways for a marriage to be consummated according to God's will and that is by death or by fornication. Matthew. 19:9.

Vs. 10-12 -- It is a serious thing to take lightly the marriage vows. Galatians 6:7,8; II Corinthians 5:10. Jesus who never sinned challenges us to sanctity.

Vs. 13&14 -- Jesus showed His displeasure when the disciples manifested their unconcern for the little children. Jesus was and is concerned for the salvation of all ages. Luke 19:10.

Vs. 15&16 -- The Kingdom of God is made up of such as have come in simple child-like faith in Him who has made up the Kingdom of God. When children are old enough to understand their need of Him as a Savior, then they are old enough to be saved.

Vs. 17 -- The young man was rich, eager (he came running) and reverent (he knelt). His query was sincere; he wanted eternal life but he wanted to be saved by his own works, and his own goodness.

Vs. 18 -- Jesus admonished him to admit that He (Jesus) was God.

Vs. 19&20 -- Everlasting life depends upon the identity of Christ as God and one's relationship to Him.

Sin -- failure to live up to divine commands -- separates from God and must be dealt with. Nothing ,in this case the man's wealth, must be permitted to come between the Saviour and His followers.

Jesus gave the last six commandments which dealt with man's relationship to man, knowing this man (as well as no other) had not lived up to them even though he thought he had.

Vs. 21 -- Jesus loved him even though he was a sinner. Romans 5:8

Vs. 22 -- The ruler chose his possessions rather than Christ. He really didn't love his neighbor as himself and he had another God -- his possessions. He went away sad.

Vs. 23&24 -- There is nothing wrong with wealth in itself but trusting in wealth is false security and dooms one to exclusion from the Kingdom of God.

Vs. 25 -- This is a proverbial expression used in New Testament times to denote literally a thing impossible, but figuratively, very difficult.

Vs. 26&27 -- It is impossible for a rich man, embraced and entangled with his wealth, by his own natural strength to obtain salvation; because this is a supernatural blessing, which we cannot obtain without the like supernatural aids of grace such as spiritual revelations and Holy Spirit conviction.

God is all powerful and some wealthy people are saved.

Vs. 28-31 -- Jesus emphasizes the fact that those who follow Him and sacrifice in this life for Him shall be blessed in this life and in the next abundantly. But many that seem to have high places in the kingdom work shall be last and many who have been more faithful in the least places shall be first at the judgement. Be faithful to God.

Vs. 32-34 -- Jesus with a determined Spirit was leading the way to Jerusalem. He had often told His disciples that He must go and what could happen when He got there and as they followed they were afraid. They didn't know what suffering they would have to endure. Note: We don't know what suffering and sacrifice we will have to make in the future but we know God will protect, provide comfort, and that it will all occur for a purpose. Romans 8:28; II Corinthians 1:3-6; Job 1:10.

Vs. 35-37 -- James and John, the sons of thunder, came to Jesus and requested a special place of

prominence in His kingdom.

Vs. 38 -- They knew not what they asked:

Because His kingdom was spiritual, not carnal and earthly as they supposed

Because they sought the glory before they gained the victory.

The cup and the baptism He spoke of was the suffering He was soon to endure.

Vs. 39 -- James and John both suffered for Christ. James was slain by the sword of Herod (Acts 12:2) and John was exiled on the isle of Patmos. Revelation 1.

Vs. 40-45 -- Special honor and distinction in heaven will be given to those who are the most faithful obedient servants to others and to Christ while here on earth. Jesus, our great example, came not to be served but to serve, wherefore God hath highly exalted Him. Philippians 2:5-11. Therefore He challenges us to serve that we might be exalted.

Vs. 46 -- Jesus has now reached Jericho, in the Jordan valley, east of Jerusalem. As a blind man,

Bartimaeus is another type or picture of a sinner, who are all blind to spiritual truths.

II Corinthians 4:3-6

Vs. 47 -- Bartimaeus knew who Jesus was and publicly confessed it. When he testified that He was the son of David, he testified to his belief that He was the long promised Messiah.

Vs. 48 -- Many would keep this man from Jesus and there are many followers of Christ today who are keeping people from Jesus by their worldly living, their indifferent attitudes and their powerless lives.

Vs. 49&50 -- But Jesus always harkens to a pitiful plea for help when it's coupled with faith.

Vs. 51&52 -- The man knew his need and he asked Christ to meet it and He did, for He also saw the man's faith. The man was instantly healed and became a follower of Christ. Jesus challenges the unsaved to receive spiritual sight by trusting Him as did Bartimaeus.

CONCLUSION: Jesus, the greatest of all servants, challenges people today to live a life of purity, to live a life of soul winning, to live a life with real security and full rewards, to live a life of sacrifice and to begin this life by a full acceptance of Him as Saviour.