A Tale of Two Hearts-Mark 10:13-31

As we begin this morning, please turn in your copies of God’s Word to the Gospel of Mark 10:13-31. We will be reading verses 13-22 shortly, so go ahead and have these verse ready for that time.

Last Sunday morning in the Gospel of Mark, we looked at the relationship of the husband and wife, as Jesus addressed the topic of divorce. Any husband and wife who are first wholly and completely surrendered to Christ and as a result are committed to honor God’s directives as laid out in Ephesians 5:28-33, will never have to worry about the pressures of divorce. This is not to say that they will not have times of serious turmoil in their relationships with each other, but the more they are committed in their relationship to God, the less, in both severity and numbers, those times of turmoil will occur.

A natural progression from the relationship of a husband and wife is a look at children, and that is where we begin this morning.

With that as an introduction, would you please stand in honor of the reading of God’s Word?

Next Slide

Mark 10:13–22 ESV

13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. 17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 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 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

May the Lord add His blessing to the reading of His Word, please be seated.

In the first half of this morning’s passage we see:

The Unswerving Faith of A Child. Vs. 13-16

The indication is that this event takes place right on the heels of the disciples further enquiry to Jesus on the topic of divorce that we looked at last week. This discussion took place in a house in the region of Perea. Most likely they were still in that same home when parents began bringing children to Jesus. Word had spread fast that Jesus was in the region. Their desire was that Jesus might touch their children. Matthew actually adds to this, he writes that they wanted to Jesus to “lay His Hands on them and pray.” What these parents were seeking was a prayer of blessing from Jesus. There is little doubt that the stories had already circulated that, unlike the Pharisees and other religious leaders they had become accustomed to, Jesus cared deeply for children. They had also heard of His mighty works, that it appeared that the Hand of God was on Jesus. Who better to bless their children than Him?

What we see in our very first verse this morning, is that the disciples: Next Slide

Brains were as functional as a Screen-door on a Submarine. 9:37; 10:13

Just last chapter, Jesus Himself sought out a little child, who happened to be nearby, picked him up into His arms, and used the child as an illustration of the type of servants He wanted His disciples to be. Servants who readily welcomed a little child just as he would anyone else. In fact, to carry that point even further, Jesus said that, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My Name, welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me the the One Who sent me.(as in God the Father, the creator of the Universe)” Somehow, the disciples had already forgotten that powerful lesson.

Granted, Jesus lesson from chapter 9 had likely been a few days to weeks earlier, but it was still a lesson that should have resonated with them. Unfortunately the similarity between the disciples and ourselves, when it comes to God’s Word to us, are all to similar. When I look at this account with the disciples, I am reminded at how quickly we forget the powerful lessons God lays before us. Let’s keep this in mind as we close out later this morning, that it would serve as an action point for us. That we would do our best to treasure the truths of God’s Word in our hearts, in such fashion that we would diligently follow those truths in a transformative way. (Do not read the next line!)

Treasure God’s Truth in a way that Transforms Our Hearts.

Back to the children. The Greek word that Mark uses suggests that these children were 4 years old and younger. In Luke’s account of this event, he uses a different word for children. A word that would be used of infants. The indication is that some of the children were old enough to walk on their own to Him, but others were so small that someone, presumably a parent of older sibling, had to carry them to Jesus. Notice that Jesus does not turn the parents and children away. The disciples take that task upon themselves. As if Jesus needed their protection.

Pam and I have enjoyed watching the new online series on the life of Jesus called “The Chosen”. This is one of the pictures “The Chosen” does a good job of portraying, that the disciples felt it was their task to protect Jesus. As if the God of creation needs our help. To be honest, Jesus doesn’t need our help. We find out in the pages of Scripture, that He could use a donkey, rocks or dried bones, just as easily as He uses us. His call to us is not that we would help Him but that we would obey Him. This was a lesson the disciples were still coming to grips with at this point in the Gospel accounts.

One of the reasons for this is that what Jesus was calling them, as well as us today to do is; Next Slide

We Are To Live Counter Culture.

From the time the disciples were, themselves, children. The leaders they had encountered throughout their lives cared little for children. They were merely patterning what they had seen from as early as they could remember. A leader was not to be bothered by children, children were more of a nuisance than anything else. As a result, they “rebuked” the parents for disturbing Jesus. The Greek word for “rebuked” meant “to censure” of “to reprimand”. It is a very strong word, in fact it is the same word we saw on 3 occasions earlier in the Gospel of Mark, on how Jesus would handle demons He encountered.

While the disciples were following the pattern of the world they were a part of, Jesus lesson to them was to live counter culture. He wants us to learn the same lesson. When we ignore this lesson, we can expect what the disciples experienced that day; Next Slide

The Righteous Anger of The Loving Savior. Vs. 14

We read in verse 14 that Jesus “was indignant”. This is another strong word that means “angry”, “irate”, “outraged”. To get an idea of what is behind this word, jump ahead a few verse to verse 41. What had just taken place in verse 41 is James and John took Jesus aside and asked Him that He would give them special privileges over and above the rest of the disciples. Matthew adds a little more to the story. He adds that they brought their mother with them and that she bowed before Him and asked on their behalf. I mean it would be bad enough that they asked, but to have their mother bow before Him and ask. The other 10 were steaming! That is what we see here in Jesus response to the disciples who had rebuked of the parents, He was steaming mad! On this verse, one of the commentators I read this week pointed out a powerful truth. He wrote;

“The object of a person’s indignation reveals a great deal about that person. Jesus’ displeasure here reveals his compassion and defense of the helpless, vulnerable, and powerless.” (Edwards, J. R. [2002]. The Gospel according to Mark [p. 306]. Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos)

In verse 41 we see the disciples “indignant” at what James and John did, because they saw it as a slap in their own faces. Jesus was “indignant” because the disciples were hindering little children and babies. This is a good thought for us to keep in mind. If you’re anything like me, the vast majority of the things that make me angry are motivated by my own selfish interests than they are by a deep concern and love for “the helpless, vulnerable and powerless”. May we follow the lead of Jesus and not the lead of the disciples at this point in the Gospels.

The disciples had been imitating what they witnessed in the Pharisees and other religious leaders, but when it came to a heart of faith, Jesus wants us to: Next Slide

Imitate The Faith of Children. Vs. 15; Lk. 18:17

In his commentary on the Gospel of Mark, E. P. Gould put it this way; “The kingdom of God in the world consists of those who substitute for self will and independence, the will of God, and trust in His wisdom and goodness. And this is the attitude of childhood. What children feel towards their parents, man should feel towards God.”

The Gospel according to Mark Discipleship and Children (10:13–16)

In this story children are not blessed for their virtues but for what they lack: they come only as they are—small, powerless, without sophistication, as the overlooked and dispossessed of society. To receive the kingdom of God as a child is to receive it as one who has no credits, no clout, no claims.23 A little child has absolutely nothing to bring, and whatever a child receives, he or she receives by grace on the basis of sheer neediness rather than by any merit inherent in him- or herself.

Having the faith of a child brings on; Next Slide

The Blessings of Jesus. Vs. 16

The picture Mark paints in the original language is not properly conveyed by our English translations. Let me give you an idea of the picture Mark is painting for us. I believe it was Easter Sunday that Tom and Trina brought their great granddaughter to church with them. I was particularly moved by watching the way the two of them held this precious gift from God. That is the picture Mark wants us to see in what He wrote. The verb translated “took them into His arms” means “to enfold in one’s arms” just as one would do a baby. The context of the verb also indicates that He did this one by one. Then He went on “and blessed them”. The sense of the verb Mark uses gives us the picture that Jesus took them into His arms one by one and fervently prayed over them, laying His Hands on them.

When we approach our faith in what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross in the same way a child does, we can expect that the nailed scarred Hands of the Savior will enfold us as we would a newborn baby and one by one fervently pray a prayer of blessing over us.

That’s what takes place when we set come to Jesus as a little child.

Well the title of this morning’s message is; A Tale of Two Hearts. Moving forward this morning we see the second heart. Next Slide

The Self-Righteous Heart of The Rich Young Ruler. Vs. 17-22

Look at your copy of God’s Word. Based solely on verse 17, what are your initial impressions of the rich young ruler?

He was determined-He ran to Jesus.

Middle Eastern men of status did not run. Running meant that one needed to lift up his long robe, exposing the individuals legs, which was considered undignified, even shameful.

He was humble-He knelt before Jesus.

This was a worshipful posture, he was a man of status in the religious community and he was kneeling before One most he affiliated with, considered to be a false prophet.

He knew Who to approach- “and asked Him (Jesus).”

He didn’t seek out one of the religious leaders he knew well, he sought out one those he knew well hated.

He had great respect for Jesus-He paid Jesus a significant compliment in calling Him “Good Teacher”.

This signified he had a great deal of respect for Jesus.

He asked the right question- “what must i do to inherit eternal life?”

While this young man had kept the law fastidiously since he was a young boy, he knew there was still something he lacked.

With these five characteristics, had this rich young ruler come up to virtually any evangelical with heart to reach others for Christ, we’d have had him on his knees within seconds praying the sinners prayer. But God has never sought nor been impressed with emotional decisions. His desire is transformed hearts. Just as we saw Jesus do last week with the questioning Pharisees, before Jesus answers his question, He questions the inquiring mind. Then He brings the young man to the Scripture.

As we look at Jesus question to the rich young ruler, we need to recognize that Jesus was approaching him from the mindset of omniscience. In other words, Jesus understood what was in the heart and mind of this man. He knew that when he called Jesus “good teacher”. He was placing Jesus on equal footing with other respected teachers. That is why Jesus added “No one is good but God Alone.” He was establishing to this young man that God, and as a result the One Whom he knelt before, was never to be placed on equal footing as anyone else in his life.

Jesus then takes him to the second half of the 10 Commandments, the Commandments that dealt with human relationships. His immediate response was to let Jesus know he had faithfully checked off all of those boxes since he was a young man. His self-righteousness had blinded him to the law’s revelation of sin. In Jeremiah 17:9 we read “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” This wasn’t written by a man mired in sin, it was written by a man most would have considered above reproach, yet he includes himself when he writes “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Like the Saul of Tarsus, before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, this rich young ruler took great pride in his accomplishments in regard to obedience of the Law.

After the young man pridefully pointed out the righteous mask he proudly wore in the presence of other people, Jesus gets to the heart of the issue in verse 22. Here, Jesus brings out the young mans disregard for the first half of the 10 Commandments. The half of the Commandments that deals with man’s relationship to God. Jesus challenging the young man to “sell all that you have…give to the poor…and come follow Me.” was not a challenge of poverty to any who desires to be His disciples. It was a challenge to this rich young man that he had “other gods before” the God of the Universe. That god was his riches, and while it may not have appeared to be a graven image, he had carved his love for money and possessions into the recesses of his heart.

Reading on we find out;

Mark 10:22 ESV

22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Contrary to Jesus challenge to the crowd in Mark 8:36, this man was more concerned that he “gain the whole world” even if it meant that he “forfeit his soul”! Unlike the child-like faith Jesus spoke about in verse 13-16, this man’s faith was in himself and that which he could accomplish. While those with a child-like faith, live in complete dependence on what Jesus accomplished in the cross, this man lived in complete dependence on what he could accomplish on his own. Again, he was following in the footsteps of Saul of Tarsus, rather than what Saul became later, when as the Apostle Paul he wrote; “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.” Paul came to realize that God didn’t look on the outside, but on the heart. That external obedience to the Law never brought about righteousness, instead it revealed unrighteousness. In other words;

Faith in self buys one way ticket the hell.

Up to this point in time during this encounter, Jesus had focused completely on the rich young ruler. Now that the rich young ruler was gone, He turned His attention to the bewildered disciples, when He said in verse 23 & 25 “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!.....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.” This did anything but quell their bewilderment. You see, most of the Nation of Israel saw wealth and status as a reward for righteousness. This man had not only wealth, but status in the religious community. He was likely a ruler of a local synagogue, yet here Jesus is stating that this man was headed for hell, they were baffled, astonished and asked Jesus; “Then who can be saved?” Read in their voices panic. If this rich young ruler was headed for hell, what did this mean for them?

I remember in the 70’s that there were many that taught that when Jesus said; “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.” that Jesus was referring to a small gate in the walls of Jerusalem that was called an “eye of the needle”. and that while it was a difficult for a camel to pass through that gate, it was possible if the camel stooped low, like a humble bow, and crawled through on its knees. There are a couple major issues with this teaching. One: no such gate has ever been found. Second: in Luke’s account of this discussion with the disciples, He uses the Greek word for “surgical needle”. Jesus whole point was that, on our own, it is impossible to earn our way to heaven. We can’t be good enough. That is why Jesus went on to say in verse 27; “With man it is impossible”. Notice He didn’t say difficult, didn’t say if we humbly bow low, like a camel trying to get through a small gate, that heaven is attainable. He stated very clearly; “With man it is impossible”. Thankfully, He didn’t stop there, He went on to add; “but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” What is impossible for man, is made possible through God, Who opened the impossible door to heaven by the blood of His own Son, Who became our sacrificial Lamb. Which is exactly the purpose for their journey to Jerusalem. That Jesus Himself, the spotless Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world, would be presented on the Altar of sacrifice, once and for all, to provide atonement for our sins. That which is impossible for man, is possible for God!

Having their spirits lifted, knowing God would provide a way for their redemption, their minds now go back to what Jesus asked of the rich young ruler. He asked him to abandon everything and follow Him. Peter spoke up; “See, we have left everything and followed You.” Matthew records that Peter added; “What then will be there for us?” In my mind, I picture a smile on Jesus face, as He reassures the disciples;

Mark 10:29–31 ESV

29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

While there was a selfish undertone to Peter’s question, Jesus reassures him rather than rebuking him. Reassures him that while they had given up everything to follow Him, their rewards would, without question, dwarf their sacrifices. Not only in this life, but in eternity as well. He does add that they would also experience persecutions, but in the end, their rewards would last throughout all eternity.

He promises the same thing to us.

You know, that has been Pam and my experience. When God led us to Liberty Chapel, we left our home behind, we said good bye to a number of friends. Said goodbye to my sister and her family, my parents, our daughter. About 8 hours later, we were met by 32 people, most of whom are sitting in the congregation right now, who met us, helped us unload and have since become our family, with many more as well. And while there have been some trials on the way, God has blessed us beyond measure.

Just as He promised the 12 that day.

As we close out this morning, let me give you about 5 action points.

Action Points:

We need to do our best to treasure the truths of God’s Word in our hearts, that we would diligently follow His truths in a transformative way.

Jesus has called us to live Counter-Culture to society.

Child-like Faith brings about the blessing of God.

Faith in self buys a one way ticket to hell.

While it is impossible for us to earn a ticket to heaven, simply by putting our faith and trust in Jesus, Christ Himself paid for our ticket with His Own blood. But He is not looking for an emotional decision that costs us nothing, He didn’t just come to save, He came to save and transform. And while the decision to follow Him may cost, the rewards, both now and in eternity, are immeasurable.