v1-12 Marriage is God's plan - for 1 man & 1 woman. Divorce was only permitted because of the hardness of the people's hearts. But remember, what God has joined together, let no man separate.
v13-16 Jesus was indignant about the children being sent away because His Kingdom of God belongs to children like that. We must do nothing to hinder those whom Jesus wants in His Kingdom from coming to Him.
v15 There is a simplicity in receiving the Kingdom of God like a child. There is a humility and innocence. We must not make it harder than it actually is.
v17ff The man assumed we could "inherit" eternal life - there were good things we could do that would bring us eternal life. Not so.
Jesus shows that even though he felt he had kept the law, his heart was not right - he was not willing to have all out sacrifice.
Jesus knew that to follow Him required giving up all - He also knew the man was not willing. We must be willing to give up all for the sake of Jesus.
To those who are willing to follow Him without reservation, there is much to be received in the present age, but also in the age to come. v31 is both a warning and a reminder - the current order will not be the new world order!
v32-34, 35 Jesus speaks in detail of all He will suffer - He will be mocked, flogged and spat on. He will rise. Jesus is clear about His purpose and His destiny. He is fully in control of the situation. We need not fear.
The disciples were afraid as they did not understand why He would allow all this - they failed to see who He was & what He was doing.
James & John's motives were selfish. They only cared about themselves - they weren't interested in being servants.
If we want to be great, we must be servants & slaves.
Bartimaeus heard Jesus and asked for mercy. He asked Jesus to help Him and had faith that He would. As a result, Jesus healed Him. We need to have faith, then ask Jesus to do things and then see Him answer our prayers.
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