What Issues Did Jesus Deal With Before He Went to the Cross — and What Are Those Same Issues Doing in My Life?

What Issues Did Jesus Deal With Before He Went to the Cross — and What Are Those Same Issues Doing in My Life?

Text: Mark 10:1–52   |   Key Verse: Mark 10:45

BIG IDEA: On the road to the cross, Jesus is still dealing with the issues of the heart — and those same issues are still dealing with us.

A. Divorce — Mark 10:1–12

Q: What does Jesus say when culture has lowered the standard God set from the beginning?

• Pharisees came to test, not to learn. (Mk 10:2)

• Jesus answers culture with creation. (Mk 10:6; Gen 1:27; 2:24)

• Hardness of heart is the real issue. (Mk 10:5)

• Cleaving is a spiritual binding only God can do. (Mk 10:7–9; Eph 5:31–32)

Call: Let God deal with the hardness before it destroys what He joined.

B. Children — Mark 10:13–16

Q: Who actually has access to Jesus and enters the Kingdom?

• Parents brought them as an offering. (Mk 10:13)

• Disciples blocked them — too dependent, too prideful, too interruptive. (Mk 10:13)

• Jesus was indignant — that word matters. (Mk 10:14)

• The Kingdom belongs to those who come empty-handed. (Mk 10:14–15)

Call: Stop trying to earn what only the Father gives. Come like a child.

C. Eternal Life — Mark 10:17–22

Q: What is NOT enough to receive eternal life?

• Seeking Christ is not enough — he ran, knelt, asked. (Mk 10:17)

• Praising Christ is not enough — "call Me Lord, or don't call Me good." (Mk 10:18)

• Being respectable is not enough — kept the commandments. (Mk 10:19–20; Eph 2:8–9)

• Being loved by Jesus is not enough. (Mk 10:21a)

• Giving everything is required — the one thing. (Mk 10:21b–22)

Call: What is the one thing Jesus is asking you to release so you can follow Him?

D. Wealth and Its Dangers — Mark 10:23–27

Q: Why is it so hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom?

• Wealth tells a lie — that you do not need God. (Mk 10:23–24; 1 Tim 6:17)

• Camel through a needle — He means impossibility. (Mk 10:25)

• Blessing is not proof of nearness. Surrender is. (Mk 10:26)

• With man, impossible. With God, possible. (Mk 10:27)

Call: Measure your standing with God by what is on the throne, not what is in your hand.

E. Rewards — Mark 10:28–31

Q: What do I really receive when I leave everything to follow Jesus?

• Peter's question is honest. Jesus answers it. (Mk 10:28–29)

• A hundredfold now — and eternal life to come. (Mk 10:30)

• Persecution is part of the reward, not the deduction. (Mk 10:30; 1 Pet 4:14)

• The first will be last, and the last first. (Mk 10:31)

Call: Do not follow Jesus for the reward — but do not fear that following Him will cost you for nothing. He sees. He keeps. He rewards.

F. Christ's Death — Mark 10:32–34

Q: Why does Jesus keep telling them about the cross — and why do they keep missing it?

• Iron determination — He outpaced the disciples. (Mk 10:32; Lk 9:51)

• Third time He told them. They still missed it. (Mk 10:33–34; cf. 8:31; 9:31)

• He suffered mentally, spiritually, physically. (Mk 10:33–34; Mt 27:46; Isa 53:4–7)

• He went on purpose. For us. For the joy. (Heb 12:2; Jn 10:18)

Call: Do not preach a Jesus without a cross. The cross is the point of His ministry.

G. Ambition — Mark 10:35–45

Q: What does Jesus say to the kind of ambition that wants the throne but not the towel?

• They asked for glory right after He talked about the cross. (Mk 10:35–37)

• "You do not know what you are asking." (Mk 10:38)

• The cup (inward agony) AND the baptism (outward suffering). (Mk 10:38–39; Mt 26:39)

• The other ten were indignant — same heart. (Mk 10:41)

• v. 45 — He gave His life IN EXCHANGE FOR yours (lutron). (Mk 10:42–45; 1 Tim 2:6)

Call: Am I following Jesus for position — or for Him?

H. Sickness and Crying Out — Mark 10:46–52

Q: What are the steps a man takes when he finally comes to Jesus the right way?

• 1. Get where Jesus is passing by. (Mk 10:46)

• 2. Believe the report — he had never seen Jesus. (Mk 10:47a; Rom 10:17)

• 3. Acknowledge need — cry for mercy. (Mk 10:47b; Lk 18:13)

• 4. Persevere when the crowd silences you. (Mk 10:48)

• 5. Eagerly expect help — throw off the cloak. (Mk 10:49–50; Heb 12:1)

• 6. Ask Him for what you actually need. (Mk 10:51)

• 7. Receive — and follow Him on the way. (Mk 10:52)

Title shift: "Son of David" (Mk 10:47) → "Rabboni" (Mk 10:51). From hearing about Jesus to belonging to Jesus.

Call: Throw off the cloak. Cry out. Follow Him on the way.

CLOSING CONTRAST

• Pharisees came to test Him. (Mk 10:2)

• Disciples came to argue. (Mk 10:13, 41)

• Rich man came on his own terms — and walked away. (Mk 10:22)

• James and John came for a throne. (Mk 10:37)

• Bartimaeus came for mercy — and ended up following Him. (Mk 10:52)

How am I coming to Jesus? He is still asking, "What do you want Me to do for you?" (Mk 10:51)