by Rick Marin | Sep 24, 2024 | 2024 3rd Quarter
Of what is Sunday a symbol?
(Mark 16:1-20; Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; 1 Peter 1:3) Blog 22-28 Sep. 2024
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: <PresentTruthLRI@gmail.com>
REVIEW: After Jesus’ baptism, he met temptation in the wilderness and began healing the sick and preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. Through his teaching and meeting the attacks of opponents his disciples learned about his mission to earth. As his earthy life neared its end he headed towards Jerusalem where the multitudes called him King only days before they were moved to cry “Crucify him.” He bore the guilt of our sins to the cross where he made atonement for the sins of the whole world.
Jesus’ Resurrection
1. On what day of the week did Jesus die and was buried? It was Friday, the day before the Sabbath, that Jesus died & was buried in Joseph’s new tomb (Mark 15:37-46).
2. What three women were at the cross on Friday and at the tomb on Sunday morning? Mary Magdalene, the prostitute, Mary the mother of James the less & Joses, & Salome were at the cross & the tomb. All of them had followed Jesus from Galilee (Mark 15:40-47; 16:1; Luke 7:37).
3. If Jesus arose from the tomb early Sunday morning, what are the three days he was in the tomb? Jesus was in the tomb Friday afternoon, all day Saturday, and the first part of Sunday which began at sundown Saturday evening (Mark 8:31; 15:33, 42; 16:1-6).
4. Judging from Jesus’ resurrection on Sunday morning, of what is Sunday a symbol? Sunday is a symbol of new beginnings. It was the first day of creation & it is the day Jesus came back to life. Just as an octave on the piano starts over on the eighth key, so a new week of work begins on Sunday (Mark 16:1-2; Gen. 1:1-5; Ex. 20:8-10).
5. If resurrection Sunday is a symbol of a new week of work, of what is Jesus’ Saturday in the tomb a symbol? Saturday is a day of ceasing from work & on it Jesus rested in the tomb, for it was the weekly Sabbath rest (Mark 15:42, 46; 16:2).
6. To what do the Apostles liken the resurrection of Jesus? Paul says that the resurrection is a picture of walking in a new life & Peter says it is a picture of being born again with a future hope (Mark 16:6; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12-13; 1 Pet. 1:3).
7. Why does Paul say that God raised up Jesus from the dead? God raised Jesus because he had fulfilled all the conditions of the covenant & in Jesus, God poured out the fulfillment of all the promises made to the fathers (Acts 13:29-34; 2 Cor. 1:20).
Jesus’ Appearances
8. What did the three women who brought spices to the tomb on Sunday morning find? They found the heavy stone rolled away & an angel sitting inside the tomb who told them that Jesus had risen from the dead (Mark 16:1-7).
9. Who first saw Jesus after he rose from the dead? Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven devils, was the first to see the resurrected Christ. As a woman she represents the bride of Christ, the church (Mark 16:1-7; Rev. 19:7-8).
10. How did the eleven disciples respond when Mary and two other disciples told them that they had seen the risen Lord? The eleven disciples did not believe the report of the eyewitnesses of Jesus’ resurrection (Mark 16:10-13).
11. What did Jesus do when he appeared to the eleven disciples in the upper room? Jesus scolded the disciples for being hardhearted & not believing the report of Mary & the other disciples (Mark 16:14).
12. What would we not have if Jesus was not risen from the dead? We would have no hope of a future life after death. Our faith in him would be worthless (1 Cor. 15:14-19).
Jesus’ Command
13. What else did Jesus say to the eleven disciples? Jesus told them: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15).
14. What is the Gospel? The Gospel is the story of Jesus’ perfect life, atoning death, resurrection, & ascension to the right hand of the Father in heaven. This gospel is the fulfillment of all that God through Daniel asked his people to accomplish before AD 34 when the gospel went to the gentiles (Mark 1:1; 16:14; Dan. 9:24; 1 Cor. 15:1-8).
15. Who did Jesus tell his disciples would be saved? Just as Mark has emphasized throughout his book, it is those who believe in Jesus that will be saved. All who truly believe in Jesus will desire to confess him before men in baptism. Those who refuse to believe will be eternally lost (Mark 1:15; 5:36; 9:23; 16:14-16; Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:9-13).
16. What signs did Jesus say would accompany the preaching of the Gospel? Jesus said that the preaching of the Gospel would be accompanied with casting out devils, speaking new languages, the avoidance of poisoning, & healing the sick (Mark 16:17-18).
by Rick Marin | Sep 18, 2024 | 2024 3rd Quarter
What does “numbered” mean?
(Mark 15:1-47; Psalm 22:18; Daniel 9:24-27)
Blog Sep. 15-21, 2024
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: <PresentTruthLRI@gmail.com>
REVIEW: As Mark brings the story of Jesus to a close, he emphasizes the weight of our sins that were placed on Jesus the night of his betrayal and the suffering that Jesus bore as our Substitute. His own disciples were slow to understand the meaning of these events, and the religious leaders were intent on brining Jesus to death.
At Pilate’s Judgment Seat
1. After the Jewish council determined that Jesus was guilty of blasphemy in claiming to be the Son of God, where did they take Jesus? They took Jesus bound to Pilates judgment seat (Mark 15:1).
2. What must the Jews have accused Jesus of before Pilate? Before Pilate the Jews must have accused Jesus of claiming to be king. This would have been considered as rebellion against Rome (Mark 15:2-3; John 19:12).
3. According to Mark what attempt did Pilate make to release Jesus? As an annual favor Pilate offered to release Jesus to the people, but the chief priests moved the people to ask for the murderer Barabbas to be released instead (Mark 15:6-11).
4. When Pilate asked what he should do with the King of the Jews, for what did the people cry? The people cried “Crucify him” & after scourging him, Pilate delivered Jesus to be crucified (Mark 15:12-15).
5. How did the Roman soldiers choose to mock Jesus in the Praetorium? They picked up the theme of the day that Jesus was the King of the Jews & pretended to approach Jesus as a king while crowning him with thorns & using “his royal scepter” to beat him on the head (Mark 15:16-20).
6. How was Jesus’ treatment on Passover Friday a fulfillment of what God said would happen to those who disobeyed his covenant? The curses of the covenant include that the heavens would turn black, the heathen would rule over, one would thirst, and thorns would grow (Mark 15:17-20, 29-34; Gen. 3:18; Deut. 28:16, 20, 29, 37, 43, 48-50).
7. What ideas are included in the title “King of the Jews”? “King” denotes rightful ruler, sovereign potentate, & federal representative. So it was that Jesus represented all God’s people, bringing perfect fulfillment as their Representative to what God demanded of his people in Daniel 9:24 (Mark 15:2, 9, 12, 18, 26; Dan. 9:24-27).
On Golgotha
8. Why did Jesus not drink the wine mingled with myrrh? Because any form of intoxication would hinder his ability to think clearly & resist temptation (Mark 15:23; Prov. 20:1; 23:29-30; 31:4-5).
9. What time was it when Jesus was crucified? Jesus was crucified at 9 AM, so the final events were rapid ones, just as they will be in earth’s final crisis (Mark 15:25; Rom. 9:28).
10. What prophecy was fulfilled by the soldiers at the foot of the cross? The soldiers cast lots to divided up Jesus’ clothes for themselves just as predicted in Psalm 22 (Mark 15:24; Psa. 22:18).
11. What is meant by the phrase: “he was numbered with the transgressors”? That phrase tells us that Jesus was reckoned to be a transgressor when he was not, just as we can be reckoned to be righteous when we are not (Mark 15:24; Isa. 53:12; Rom. 4:4-17).
12. Could Jesus have saved himself by coming down from the cross? Yes, he could have saved himself from the agony of the cross but then he could have saved no human being (Mark 15:30-31; Matt. 26:53).
13. When did darkness cover Jesus on the cross? From noon until 3 PM when Jesus died, darkness covered the land (Mark 15:33).
14. Why had God forsaken his beloved Son? Because Jesus bore our sins he must suffer the rejection of God, even hell itself for every human (Mark 15:34; 1 Pet. 2:24).
15. What did Jesus give up when he died? When Jesus died his spirit (ghost) returned to God who gave it. That is not his soul, for a human soul is the whole person: breath (spirit) & body (Mark 15:37; Eccl. 3:21; 12:7).
16. Why was the vail of the temple in Jerusalem rent in twain? This was a sign from heaven that the Jewish temple & its services were never to have future significance for God’s people. In Daniel God foretold this event (Mark 15:38; Dan. 9:27).
To Joseph’s Tomb
17. What proof does Mark give that Jesus actually died? Besides mentioning that Jesus “gave up the ghost,” Mark tells how when Joseph of Arimathaea asked Pilate for the body, Pilate first inquired of the centurion who confirmed Jesus’ death. The Jewish leaders & Jesus’ followers also confirmed that Jesus had died (Mark 15:39-47).
18. How did the centurion at the cross confirm Mark’s opening statement in the book? The centurion said: Truly this man was the Son of God.”(Mark 1:1; 15:39).
by Rick Marin | Sep 11, 2024 | 2024 3rd Quarter
What was in the cup that Jesus drank?
(Mark 14:1-72; Psalms 41:9; Isaiah 53:6-9; Jeremiah 31:31-34)
Blog Sep. 8-14, 2024
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: PresentTruthLRI@gmail.com
REVIEW: The book of Mark emphasizes our need of faith in Jesus as the Savior of the world. As fully God and fully man he lived a perfect life and was headed to the cross that we might find in him a substitute life and a substitute death. His own disciples were slow to discern his true mission, and the religious leaders continually opposed his mission.
Before Betrayal
1. What happened while Jesus was eating at the home of Simon the leper? A woman came with an expensive alabaster box of spikenard and poured the ointment on Jesus (Mark 14:3).
2. What two reactions to the woman’s act are recorded in Mark? Some in attendance at the feast were indignant at such a waste of expensive ointment while Jesus commended the woman for her act of love in anointing his body prior to burial (Mark 14:4-9).
3. What does Jesus’ response to the expensive ointment tell us about efforts to eradicate poverty? Jesus assures us that all efforts to eradicate poverty (such as communism) will fail for he says we will always have poor people who need our help (Mark 14:7).
4. What Old Testament prophecy was the woman fulfilling by anointing Jesus with spikenard? She was fulfilling Solomon’s prophecy about God’s church giving forth a sweet fragrance to Jesus her King (Mark 14:4-9; Song 1:12).
5. What lesson should we learn about Jesus’ sacrifice for us in the story of the spikenard? We should learn that just as the woman’s perfume filled the whole room but not everyone appreciated its fragrance, so Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, although being sufficient for all humanity, is only grasped by a few (Mark 14:3-5; Matt. 7:14; 1 Tim. 2:6).
6. What day of the week did Jesus eat the Passover with his disciples? It was Thursday night in the upper room in Jerusalem that Jesus ate the Passover with his disciples for the Galileans celebrated Passover one day before the Judeans did (Mark 14:1-3).
7. With what emblems did Jesus introduce the new covenant, and why? Jesus introduced the new covenant with unleavened bread & grape juice for they were symbols of his sinless life & spilled blood. The new covenant offers forgiveness for past sins & a substitute life of obedience as our hope of eternal life (Mark 14:22-25; Jer. 31:31-34; Rom. 3:25; 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 12:24).
In the Garden
8. Since it was part of God’s prophetic plan that one of Jesus’ close followers betray him, was Judas held responsible by God for betraying Jesus? Yes, for it was his greed that motivated his actions (Mark 14:21; Psa. 41:9; John 12:6).
9. What was in the cup that Jesus in Gethsemane prayed the Father would take from him? In that cup was the wrath of God against the guilt of the sins of all humanity from Adam to the last child born on earth (Mark 14:36; Isa. 53:6; Rom. 1:18; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:24).
10. Where would we be if God had granted Jesus’ request in Gethsemane? We would all be eternally lost for without Jesus’ perfect life & atoning death we would have nothing to present to God for our acceptance with him (Mark 14:36; Rom. 2:13; 5:17; 8:1; Eph. 2:7-8, 12).
11. Who was the young man that followed Jesus to Gethsemane clothed in a linen sheet and ran away naked when pursued by the mob? The young man was probably John Mark who Scripture says was the son of Mary in whose home believers often met. Most likely the one with the upper room where Jesus ate the last supper. Mark probably followed the disciples from the upper room of his mother’s house to the Garden of Gethsemane & was privy to events taking place there (Mark 14:13-15, 51-52; Acts 12:12).
Before the High Priest
12. After many false witnesses tried unsuccessfully to show Jesus’ guilt in the palace of the high priest, what answer did Jesus give when asked if he was the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed? Jesus said, “I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:53-62).
13. How did the leaders of God’s church react to Jesus’ statement that he was indeed the Messiah? The high priest tore his robe & the leaders all condemned him to be guilty of death. Then some of them spit on him, covered his face, & hit him (Mark 14:63-65).
14. When Peter and the other disciples assured Jesus that they would go with him to death before they would deny him, in what were they trusting? They were trusting in their own internal strength. They were self-confident (Mark 14:31).
15. What had Peter and the other disciples not done that would have prepared them to stand by Jesus’ side when he was arrested and tried? They had not watched (studied the Scriptures) nor prayed (but rather slept) before the crisis (Mark 14:37-40).
16. What Jewish laws did the high priests break the night of Christ’s betrayal? Among other things, they convened court at night, the most credible witnesses could not agree among themselves, the high priest rather than defending the accused sought evidence against him, no intermediate day of reflection was given between the trial & final death decree, & they gave no opportunity for the accused to bring forth witnesses in his favor (Deut. 16:18-20; 19:15-19; Eze. 44:15, 24; Zech. 3:7).
by Rick Marin | Sep 4, 2024 | 2024 3rd Quarter
What is the abomination of desolation?
(Mark 12:41 – 13:37; Daniel 9:24-27; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) Blog Sep. 1-7, 2024
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: <PresentTruthLRI@gmail.com>
REVIEW: Mark tells the story of Jesus, emphasizing our need of faith in him as the Son of God and his pathway to the cross. His own disciples are slow to discern his true mission, and the religious leaders continually come to oppose that mission.
A Look at the Offering Plate
1. After warning his disciples about the church leaders who devoured widows’ houses and made long prayers where did Jesus turn? Jesus turned to the church treasury (Mark 12:41).
2. What did Jesus see at the offering receptacle? Jesus saw rich people giving large offerings & a poor widow giving a mere pittance (Mark 12:41-42).
3. What comment did Jesus make about what he saw at the offering receptacle? Jesus said that the poor widow had given more than all the other givers, for she being very poor gave all she had, while they had only given a portion of their wealth (Mark 12:43-44).
4. Why didn’t Jesus condemn all the donors at the treasury for supporting such a corrupt religious system? The Jewish nation & its temple had been chosen by God to reveal his glory to the nations & as long as it was still God’s church, it was proper for God’s people to support it (Deut. 4:13, 20; Mal. 3:8-12; Matt. 23:23; Rom. 9:1-5).
5. When did the Jewish church and temple cease to be God’s chosen church? When Jesus told the scribes & Pharisees that their house “was left unto them desolate,” & they accepted this declaration by crying for his crucifixion, the Jewish church, temple, feasts & sacrifices became obsolete & God established a new church (Dan. 9:27; Matt. 16:18; 23:38; 27:22-23, 50-51).
A Look into the Future
6. When Jesus told his disciples that not one stone of the temple would be left in place, what did Peter, James, John, and Andrew ask him? They asked Jesus when this would happen & what sign would foretell the destruction of the temple (Mark 13:1-4).
7. As Jesus began to answer the disciples’ question about the temple stones, what did he begin describing? Rather than describing the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, Jesus began his answer talking about the end of the world (as evidenced by his reference in verse 13 to “the end” & “salvation”) for that is when the disciples thought the temple would be destroyed (Mark 13:5-13).
8. In what verses of Mark 13 does Jesus turn especially to the destruction of Jerusalem? In verses 14-18 Jesus refers especially the time of the destruction of Jerusalem (Mark 13:14-18).
9. To what does Jesus refer by the term “the abomination of desolation”? The abomination of desolation refers to pagan & Papal Rome as mentioned in Daniel. Its “standing in the holy place” (where it ought not) refers to entering holy ground. Pagan Rome did this by entering the holy ground around Jerusalem & Papal Rome does this by planting its system of worship where Christ’s ministry (especially justification & the forgiveness of sins) is to take place, between the laver (seas) & the Most Holy Place (glorious holy mountain): in the Holy Place of God’s sanctuary (Mark 13:14; Dan. 8:13; 9:27; 11:31, 45; 12:11; Luke 21:20).
10. Who is “the prince” referred to in Daniel 9:25 and 26? In verse 25 Jesus is the Prince. In verse 26 Jesus is the Messiah & he is the “prince that shall come,” for it was God’s appointed army (the Romans) that destroyed Jerusalem & its sanctuary. And in verse 27 it is Jesus who confirms the covenant with many for one week (7 years from AD 27 to AD 34) (Dan. 9:25-27; Matt. 22:7).
11. What is the “affliction” (great tribulation) to which Jesus refers in Mark 13:19? The affliction Jesus refers to is in general that which all believers in any age suffer but specifically here he refers to the 1260 years of Papal supremacy that brought extreme persecution to God’s people & was only shortened by the influence of the Protestant Reformation. (He is NOT referring to some future tribulation of 3 ½ years that is to happen after the rapture) (Mark 13:19-20; Dan. 7:25; 11:33-35; John 16:33; Rev. 13:4-7).
Preparation for the Future
12. What warning does Jesus give his disciples in Mark 13? Jesus warns us that false teachers & false Christs will try to deceive us using signs, wonders, & seduction. Then he adds: “Take heed” suggesting that we should remember & observe the sequence of the events predicted (Mark 13:21-23).
13. What signs did Jesus say would take place after the great tribulation? Jesus said that after the great tribulation the sun would be darkened, the moon would not give her light, & the stars would fall (Mark 13:24-25).
14. What did Jesus say would take place after the signs in the heaven? After the signs in the heaven, Jesus said he would come with power & great glory (Mark 13:26)
15. Who are “the elect” that Jesus said would be gathered by the angels? The elect are all who believed in Jesus until the end of their lives (or until his coming), for he is “God’s Elect” & salvation is only found in him. They will include all believers from Adam till the last believer on earth (Mark 13:20, 27; Isa. 42:1; Luke 18:7; 2 Tim. 2:10; Titus 1:1).
16. As Jesus ends his answer regarding the destruction of the temple, what does he emphasize? Jesus emphasizes the need to watch & pray. Watching includes being aware of the fulfillment of Bible prophecy & studying the Bible rather than falling asleep. We should also pray that our flight out of Babylon not be hindered (Mark 13:18, 32-37; Rev. 18:4)
by Rick Marin | Aug 28, 2024 | 2024 3rd Quarter
What errors of the Sadducees did Jesus point out?
(Mark 11:1 – 12:40; Isaiah 6:1-7; John 15:1-8) Blog Aug. 25-31, 2024
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: <PresentTruthLRI@gmail.com>
REVIEW: In the gospel of Mark Jesus answers many questions while guiding his disciples towards the cross. They are slow to discern the true mission of the Messiah but Jesus works to increase their faith in him as the Saviour from sin and sickness. The religious leaders continually came to oppose his mission.
While Entering Jerusalem
1. When Jesus rode an unbroken donkey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday why did the people shout, “Blessed be the kingdom of our father David”? The people were anxious for a king like David to conquer the Romans & that is the way David’s son Solomon entered Jerusalem for his coronation (Mark 11:1-10; 1 Kings 1:32-40).
2. Why did Jesus allow the people to highly honor him on Palm Sunday? Jesus truly was the promised Son of David that was to rule forever over God’s people & Zechariah had promised that the One bringing salvation would enter Jerusalem riding on a young donkey & receiving the joyous praises of the people (Zech. 9:9-10).
3. While entering Jerusalem the next day what event occurred? Jesus was hungry & sought fruit from a fig tree. When discovering that it had no fruit he cursed the tree (Mark 11:12-14).
4. What lessons can we gain from the fact that the next day the fig tree was dried up from the roots? Jesus expects fruit from every believer connected to him. The Jewish nation was soon to be rejected for not bearing fruit & Jesus told the disciples that if they prayed in faith their prayers would be answered just as his curse on the tree was, provided they were forgiving to others (Mark 11:20-26; Matt. 3:8-9; John 15:1-8).
In the Temple
5. Was Jesus’ cleaning of the temple recorded in Mark 11 the first cleansing of the temple that Jesus did? No, Jesus had cleansed the temple at the beginning of his ministry also (Mark 11:15-18; John 2:13-15).
6. Of what are Jesus’ two cleansings of the temple a symbol? Our hearts are to be a temple for the Holy Spirit & Jesus’ cleansing of the temple the beginning & end of his ministry are symbolic of the early & latter rain of God’s Spirit that brings cleansing to our hearts (Mark 11:15-18; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19; James 5:7).
7. When questioned by what authority Jesus did the things he did in God’s temple, with what parable did Jesus answer? Jesus told a story of a vineyard & its owner (Mark 11:27 – 12:9).
8. How did the religious leaders understand Jesus’ parable of the vineyard? They understood that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God with every right to expect returns from the nation of Israel that was planted by his Father & that upon killing him they would be rejected by God as a chosen nation (Mark 12:9-12; Isa. 5:1-7).
Hard Questions
9. What was the Pharisees’ last question for Jesus? The Pharisees together with the supporters of Herod, asked Jesus whether it was right to pay taxes to Caesar (Mark 12:13-15).
10. What should we learn from Jesus’ answer about paying taxes to Caesar? We should learn that is it right to support with our taxes the government that protects us while not forgetting our obligations to God’s government (Mark 12:15-17).
11. What was the Sadducees last question to Jesus? The Sadducees last question was regarding resurrection (Mark 12:18-23).
12. When answering the Sadducees what errors of the Sadducees did Jesus point out? Jesus told the Sadducees that they neither believed the Scriptures nor the power of God, for God had the power to raise the dead & Scripture clearly taught that (Mark 12:24-25; 1 Kings 4:32-37; Job 20:25-27).
13. How did Jesus prove that there would be a resurrection of the dead? Jesus quoted Exodus 3:6, showing that if God said he was the God of men already dead then there must be a resurrection for them (Mark 12:26-27).
14. How did Jesus answer the scribe that asked what the greatest commandment was? Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:4-5 that says: “Hear oh Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thine soul, and with all thine might.” But, Jesus added, “and with all thy mind” thus making a parallel with the first four commandments (heart, soul, mind, strength). And Jesus quoted Leviticus 19:18 showing that the second half of the Ten Commandments enjoins love to our fellow men (Mark 12:28-31; Deut. 6:4-5, Lev. 19:18).
15. How did the scribe respond to Jesus’ answer regarding the greatest commandment? The scribe agreed & said that obedience was more important than sacrificial offerings (Mark 12:32-33; 1 Sam. 15:22).16. After telling the scribe that he had answered correctly and was not far from God’s kingdom what two comments about scribes (theologians) did Jesus make? Jesus by questioning pointed out that if the scribes say that the Messiah is David’s son & David called him Lord then Messiah must be God. Then Jesus said that people should beware of the scribes for they love rich robes, honorable salutations, & chief seats while at the same time robbing widows & making long prayers. By these two comments Jesus was pointing out that not all theologians are sincere & honest like the scribe with whom he had just dealt (Mark 12:34-40).
by Rick Marin | Aug 21, 2024 | 2024 3rd Quarter
Is it necessary to keep the commandments to be saved?
(Mark 10:1-52; Matthew 19:18-26; Romans 3:28) Blog Aug. 18-24, 2024
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: <PresentTruthLRI@gmail.com>
REVIEW: The gospel of Mark desires to show Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, but not as a political deliverer. Rather, Mark emphasizes the need of faith in Jesus as the Saviour from sin and sickness. This was hard for his disciples and the religious leaders to grasp.
Family Matters
1. How did Jesus respond to the Pharisee’s question about divorce? Jesus asked them what Moses had commanded in this regard (Mark 10:2-3).
2. When the Pharisees answered that Moses permitted divorce, how did Jesus respond? Jesus said that Moses permitted divorce because of the hardness of their hearts but that in creation God never intended divorce but rather a lifelong union of husband & wife (Mark 10:4-9).
3. What further instruction did Jesus give his disciples when they were in the house? Jesus taught that celibacy was only for those who had the gift & that to put away one’s spouse & remarry was to commit adultery except for marital unfaithfulness. Jesus showed that God has very high standards (Mark 10:10-12; Matt. 19:8-12).
4. What was Jesus’ attitude toward children? Jesus loved the little children, took them in his arms, blessed them, & used them as an example of exercising simple faith for entering God’s kingdom (Mark 10:13-16).
Salvation Matters
5. When a rich young man asked, “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” how did Jesus respond? Jesus responded that only God is good, thus insinuating that he was God & pointed the man to the Ten Commandments as the way to eternal life (Mark 10:17-19).
6. Was Jesus right in telling the young man that keeping the Ten Commandments was required to inherit eternal life? Yes, both Jesus & the apostles make clear that perfect obedience to God’s Law is the requirement for eternal life (Mark 10:19; Gen. 4:7; Deut. 28:1; Psa. 15:1-2; Matt. 5:48; 19:17; Rom. 2:13).
7. Did the young man feel confident that he had kept the Ten Commandments? Yes, he said that he had kept all of them since his youth (Mark 10:20).
8. How did Jesus show the young man that his obedience fell short of God’s standard of righteousness? Jesus told him to sell his belongings, give the proceeds to the poor, take up the cross of self-sacrifice, & come & follow him (Mark 10:21; Rom. 3:23).
9. In what did the rich young man trust for eternal life? He did not trust in Jesus as his Substitute for eternal life but rather trusted in his obedience & financial success (Mark 10:22-25).
10. How should we answer the disciples’ question as to who can be saved? We should answer like Jesus did: “With men it is impossible.” Righteousness is obedience to God’s Law. No human has this. Therefore, the only way to inherit eternal life is to present to God the perfect righteousness of Jesus. This God accepts and counts us as if we had never sinned (Mark 10:27; Jer. 23:6; Rom. 3:28; 4:13-17; 1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 2:8-9).
11. What is the “grace” that saves us? The grace that saves us is God’s justifying grace: his willingness to consider us better than we are because we are in Jesus. The sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit always follows justifying grace, but it is not the work that grants us eternal life (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 5:21; Tit. 3:7).
12. What did Jesus do that we might inherit eternal life? Our eternal life, as Jesus said, depends on our obedience to God’s Law. If Jesus is our Substitute, then he must not only die for our sins, but he must also live a perfect life in our place. Away with the idea that Jesus just died for our sins & now he gives us sanctifying grace to live according to his Law for our salvation (Mark 10:19; Matt. 19:17; Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:21).
13. Are there temporal rewards in this life for those who follow Jesus? Yes, God gives the followers of Jesus an hundredfold in this life before eternal life at the second advent (Mark 10:28-30).
14. Why were the disciples afraid as Jesus led them towards Jerusalem? They knew that the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem wanted to destroy Jesus & his ministry. Then Jesus went on to tell them exactly what would happen in Jerusalem, including who would mistreat & kill him (Mark 10:32-34).
Kingdom Matters
15. Did James and John understand what they were asking when they requested seats on either side of Jesus in his kingdom of glory? No, but Jesus made clear that they would both suffer & die for him (but it was the Father’s choice who would flank Jesus in glory (Mark 10:35-40).
16. When the other ten disciples heard of James’ and John’s request, what principle did Jesus teach them? Jesus taught the disciples that in his kingdom service to others was the greatest role (Mark 10:41-45).
17. How did blind Bartimaeus acknowledge Jesus as Israel’s promised king? Bartimaeus cried out: “Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.” In that way he showed his faith that Jesus was the promised Son of David that would rule eternally (Mark 10:46-48).
