Mark-Lesson 15

Lesson 15

Transition and Servanthood

Mark 10:32-52

Knowing the Scriptures

Studies in Mark’s Gospel

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

The first half of Mark 10 was a collection of Jesus’ teachings during this time period.  He first addressed marriage, surprising the religious leaders with His radical answer to their question about divorce.   He next logically addressed children and rebuked His disciples for trying to keep them from His blessing, warning them that those who wish to enter the Kingdom must have a child’s same simple trust.  Thirdly Jesus addressed the vanity of religion when the rich young ruler came to Him, asking what work or effort he had to accomplish to enter eternal life, but of course without faith in the finished work of Christ for us, no religious effort will ever lead us to salvation. Finally, Jesus addressed the commitment needed by those who follow Him.  It is true that He will bless us both now and in the Kingdom for what we sacrifice for Him, but also there will be struggle, persecution, and self-denial along the path of our pilgrimage toward heaven.

This week we will complete Mark 10 and examine the transition toward the last part of the Gospel, as well as Jesus’ definition and example of servanthood.  Mark obviously and on purpose left out some of the other events that took place during this part of His earthly ministry, so on Day Five we’ll take a look at a few of these things.

DAY ONE:  Jesus Predicts His Sufferings

Please carefully read Mark 10:32-34 and answer the following questions.

1.  Jesus now is journeying toward Jerusalem, and is accompanied by the crowds.  What was their reaction to His guidance (v. 32)?

NOTES: Jesus leading the way for His followers was actually a good picture of their inability to understand the events coming, and this terminology is only used by Mark.[i]  Whenever one traveled to Jerusalem, it was considered going up.  This could be taken literally because the road climbs about 3,300 feet in the twenty miles from Jericho to Jerusalem, but almost certainly it is used in the common way as a technical term for going to the Holy City on a pilgrimage or for some other important purpose.[ii]

2.  Jesus then drew the twelve disciples aside.  What did He plainly tell them (v. 32b-33)?

3.  To what extent did He describe His coming sufferings (v. 34)?

4.  Jesus was very clear and certain in describing what awaited Him, using eight future tense verbs.[iii]  We will save discussion of the suffering Servant, Jesus, for the third part of these studies, but what clear parallel can be seen in Psalm 22:6-8, 14-18 and Isaiah 50:6 to what He would experience?

Scripture Memory:  This week we will be memorizing what most Bible scholars believe is the theme of this Gospel, Mark 10:45.  Review the passage several times throughout the day each day this week, and by the end of the week, you should have it memorized completely.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.  Mark 10:45 (nkjv)