King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Thursday, October 31, 2024
Chapters: Matthew Chapter 19, Mark Chapter 10
Message: Chief Ministers
Hello My Friend,
Both my husband and I were brought up in strict religious homes, my husband grew up where the husband was the leader and wife only did what her husband commanded, no questions asked, and made no decisions on her own. While my mom was submissive to my dad, she had to learn to do a lot of things on her own because he was away a lot. Needless to say, I learned how to get by on my own, and whatever needed to be done I learned how to do it. If I had to pick one woman from the Bible that I can relate to, it is Deborah, she was the only woman who judged Israel before there were kings, [Judges 4:4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.]
Deborah, was well aware of the gender gap in her day, of men being above women, but followed God’s direction and was judge for forty years. I have always been a leader so, when my husband came along and discovered that I did a lot of things myself he took it hard, and it still causes a bit of tension between us because he thinks that I ought to be more like his mother was. While things have gotten a lot better as I learn to just let him do his thing, for some reason he feels the need to prove himself, that he can do something better. Then as I was reading the chapters for today, Jesus, reminded me of something.
[Mark 10:42-45 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.]
If Jesus became a servant, which is just another name for a minister, while in His human state, then all of us ought to have no problem being ministers of one another. In regards to marriage, while the husband is to be the leader of the home and the wife to be ministering to him, he ought to be ministering to her as well, [Ephesians 5:22-23,25,30-31 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.]
Speaking of a man leaving his father and mother and being joined to his wife, like today, divorce was common with the Jews, whenever there was a rift between them, they quickly dissolved the marriage. The marriage between a man and woman is very sacred to God because it is the closest union on earth that mimics His relationship with man. As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, Matthew and Mark give their testimonies of what we read from Luke in addition to what happens when a man unlawfully divorces his wife. The Pharisees attempting to trip Jesus up once again ask Him what a lawful divorce is.
[Matthew 19:3-6 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.]
[Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning] Jesus, was referring to this from the Scriptures, [Genesis 2:23-24 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.]
So, what Jesus is saying is that God is the one who approved the marriage between a man and woman, and in fact, they are destined to be together, which is why Jesus said, [What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.] meaning tear it apart. Well, of course, the egos did not like that answer and wanted Him to explain why Moses even written in the Law that divorce is allowed.
[Matthew 19:7-9 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.]
[but from the beginning it was not so.] Again, from the very beginning, divorce was not intended because whenever a man and woman were united in marriage they became one flesh in the eyes of God. The Law in regards to divorce states this, [Deuteronomy 24:1-2 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. 2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife.]
The uncleanness that the Law was referring to was if the husband suspected that his wife cheated on him. Now, the disciples had a hard time understanding what Jesus meant so they asked Him the same question, [Mark 10:10-12 And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. 11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.]
[Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication,] Fornication, meaning any physical or sexual abuse or idolatry committed on ones spouse, or sexual thoughts or acts committed upon anyone other than ones spouse, there was no just cause to get a divorce. If for any other reason that they divorced since they were still married in God’s eyes, if they married anyone else it would be considered adultery. Paul, explained it this way.
[1 Corinthians 7:10-13 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. 12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.]
One man, one woman, and nothing shall separate them, except for the breaking the marriage vow. The disciples were quite surprised by what Jesus said, and asked Him if those who follow Him should ever be married, [Matthew 19:10-12 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.]
[All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.] What Jesus is referring to is those who choose to remain celibate their entire life or for the rest of their lives after they get saved. It is very hard for a man to stay celibate, but Paul said it thus way, [1 Corinthians 7:7-9 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. 8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. 9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.]
When we accept Christ as our Saviour, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God’s commands are not grievous, and let me tell you, sometimes, God will use judgment to put fear in the congregation to show them that He means business, other times He uses grace. Both, Matthew and Mark also tell the story of the rich man who asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life.
[Matthew 19:16-20 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?]
[but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.] Jesus, was actually trying to show him that salvation was not based on “good works” but rather upon ones faith, then upon that faith good works follow as material things lose its value. God, desires a relationship with us, not these “good works” that we check off, but to walk with Him all day long. Now, watch how Mark describes how Jesus reacts to this man.
[Mark 10:21-24 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!]
[Jesus beholding him loved him,] How many people does Jesus see walking away like that because they do not want to let go of the things they have and that includes people who do not accept Him? I imagine that it grieves Him so much to see so many people rejecting Him, and yet He still loves them and would save them all if they would just let go of the things that bind them, [Matthew 11:28-29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.]
Well, that response prompted Peter and all the disciples for that matter, to wonder of good works are not what saves a person what would happen to those who did follow Him and who exactly could be saved.
[Matthew 19:25-27When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?]
[what shall we have therefore?] How about eternal life with Jesus, and being able to see all three persons of God right before our eyes? In fact, Jesus goes on to explain that, [Matthew 19:28-30 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.]
[in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory,] Regeneration, meaning the act of producing a new law. This law would be the law of salvation by grace, in which every believer would be anointed with the Holy Spirit, [Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;]
Keep in mind that salvation by grace did not make the Law of Moses void, it perfect it, [Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.] Now, regardless of how long ago or recently we accepted Christ as our Saviour, all who believe in and receive Him will be in the kingdom of God, some will just stay here to be used of Christ a little bit longer. A faithful Christian is not sinless, but does live their lives with Him in it, and understands that they will face some suffering because of their faith.
[Mark 10:32-35 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, 33 Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: 34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. 35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.]
[and as they followed, they were afraid.] Every one of them were scared about what Jesus just said, what would be the consequence of it to themselves, as well as to Him. We need to realize that we all have a cup to bare, there are things appointed only to us that we are going to go through, but they all lead to the same place, the Kingdom of God. Jesus, illustrates this when He answers James and John.
[Mark 10:36-40 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. 38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.]
[and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?] All of the apostles, except for Judas Iscariot and John were martyred for their faith in Christ. They were indeed baptized with the same baptism, which means that they would receive the Holy Spirit in them. Remember, before Christ’s passion, the Holy Spirit did not indwell the believer permanently, Jesus would send Him as the Comforter to all who would receive Him, [John 14:16-19 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.]
Mark, also gives the account of the blind man calling out to Jesus, I thought it necessary to focus on his testimony again. The reason being is that something else comes to mind as we read about his not yelling louder for Jesus when they were trying to shut him up.
[Mark 10:46-49 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.]
[Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.] Watch how fast this blind man jumped up when they told him that Jesus called for him, [Mark 10:50-52 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.]
[immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.] This man did not hesitate to follow Jesus the second he got saved. There is something incredible that happens to us the second we truly see Jesus, we want to follow Him wherever He goes. You know, we are going to deal with a lot of things in our lifetime, we are going to be put through the fire, tried and tested of our faith. Since I got married my ministry has suffered and I ask God every day to forgive me for neglecting it and hope that He does not take it away from me. I do not what is going to happen, but I do know that my labor for God will never be in vain, [1 Corinthians 15:10-11 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, it is amazing that we can simply come to You and be a part of You. We do not have to work our way to heaven or pay our way to get there, because You paid the price for us. We just need to simply have faith in Your finished work. Lord, when I received You as my Saviour a marriage began, one that will never tear us apart, I may drift and feel all alone, but You are never far. I am trusting in You to help me endure every trial and tribulation, I know if I want a lasting, fulfilled, and abundantly blessed life with You, I need to be just as faithful and true to You as You are to me. Even if I mess up I know that You are always with me and will help me endure and find rest for every burden when I completely trust You. I pray this in Your name, Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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