1. What stood out to you from this chapter?
It's not a stretch to say that this whole chapter in some way shows God's heart of compassion for the vulnerable and "helpless." Jesus shares that God's design for marriage is that one man and one woman would be united and never separated. One of the reasons divorce is not just "okay" with God is that it affects the husband, wife, children, family, and friends of those involved. It leaves many people vulnerable, hurt, poor, and insecure. Jesus then focuses on children being a part of the kingdom of God as well. When Jesus addresses the rich man, he says that whoever leaves behind their worldly riches and security for the sake of the gospel will certainly be provided for. He goes on to talk again about servant leadership and how it is not the rich and powerful who will be rewarded for being rich and powerful. Rather it is those who give their lives in service to others. He closes by helping Bartimaeus, who is blind and begging - virtually helpless in his society.
2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?
The story of Bartimaeus receiving his sight is one that reminds me of so many other healing miracles, not just because they were healing miracles in general, but because Jesus says, "Your faith has healed you." In Mark 5:34 Jesus says the same thing to the woman suffering from bleeding. In Acts 3:16, we see that the lame man was healed because of his faith. In Luke 7:50 the woman who washes Jesus' feet was forgiven of her sins, and Jesus again said, "Your faith has saved you." The word for salvation, saved, healing, and forgiven are all tied together and related. It is by grace we have been saved, through faith, and it is by faith we are healed in Jesus' name.
3. What does this mean for my life?
When Jesus shares about rulers and leaders serving others, I am reminded of my own leadership roles. Whether it's as a husband, a father, a business leader, a Sunday School teacher, or board member, we are called to serve others. I always need to keep that in my mind.
4. What questions do I have about this chapter?
How are we supposed to interpret the story of the rich man for us today? Does Jesus's command for the man to sell everything apply to every Christian. Is it wrong to own anything? To save anything? To store anything? My hunch is no, not to that extreme, but I still don't know to what degree it applies to us.
Those are my thoughts. I'd love to hear yours. God bless and keep digging in.
In Christ,
Dan
image from https://dwellingintheword.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/mark-10-45.jpg
No comments:
Post a Comment