Introduction
Welcome back to An Apprenticeship to Jesus, our ongoing Gospel of Mark study. In Week 9, we saw Jesus as both glorified Lord and humble servant, learned to depend on prayer, embraced humility, and guarded our hearts against anything that draws us away from God.
This week, in Mark 10, Jesus is put to the test — not just by religious leaders, but by the hearts of those who follow Him. Through His teaching and actions, He reveals what it truly means to live in God’s Kingdom.
Marriage and God’s Design
The Pharisees approach Jesus with a question meant to trap Him: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” Jesus points them back to God’s original design for marriage — a lifelong union where two become one flesh. He explains that Moses’ allowance for divorce came because of human hardness of heart, but God’s intent from creation was unity and faithfulness.
Key Insight: God’s Kingdom calls us to honor commitments, not seek loopholes.
Welcoming the Children
When parents bring their children to Jesus, the disciples try to turn them away. But Jesus is indignant and says, “Let the children come to me… whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Key Insight: Childlike faith — simple trust, dependence, and openness — is the posture we need to enter God’s Kingdom.
The Rich Young Ruler
A man runs to Jesus asking how to inherit eternal life. He claims to have kept all the commandments since youth, but Jesus lovingly tells him he lacks one thing: “Go, sell all you have, give to the poor, and follow me.” The man walks away sorrowful, unable to let go of his wealth.
Jesus then teaches His disciples that it’s hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom — not because wealth itself is evil, but because it can become an idol. Yet, “With God, all things are possible.”
Key Insight: Following Jesus requires surrendering anything that takes God’s place in our hearts.
True Greatness Through Service
James and John ask for seats of honor in Jesus’ glory. He responds by redefining greatness: “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant… for even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.”
Key Insight: Leadership in God’s Kingdom is marked by humility and service, not status or power.
Healing Bartimaeus
As Jesus leaves Jericho, Bartimaeus — a blind beggar — cries out for mercy. Despite being told to be quiet, he calls out all the more. Jesus stops, calls him over, and heals him, saying, “Your faith has made you well.”
Key Insight: Jesus hears the persistent cries of faith and responds with compassion and healing.
How to Live This Out This Week
From Mark 10, we see that apprenticeship to Jesus means:
*Honoring God’s design for relationships.
*Cultivating childlike trust in God.
*Surrendering idols, especially the love of wealth.
*Leading by serving others.
*Crying out to Jesus in faith, knowing He hears us.
Weekly Spiritual Practices
Choose one to focus on this week:
Meditation: Chew on 1 Thessalonians 5:9 — “For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.”
Scripture Memory: Memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24.
Long Walk: Take a walk with God, talking to Him about your life, your fears, and your hopes.
Closing Prayer
*Lord, help us to see You clearly, trust You fully, and follow You faithfully. Teach us to serve, to surrender, and to cry out to You in faith. Amen.
📌 Next Week: We’ll step into Mark 11 as Jesus enters Jerusalem. Don’t miss it!
🎧 Listen to the Week 10 Podcast Episode here
📖 Seeing Jesus for Who He Really Is – Lessons from Mark 9 | Go to Week 11 Study
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