Rediscover Jesus: Turning Life Upside Down (Expanded)

Scripture Text: Mark 10
Sermon Preamble
We continue our journey through the Gospel of Mark to rediscover Jesus leading to the culmination of this sermon series on Resurrection Weekend. We are discovering a fresh Jesus as an amazing man! Jesus is a fully human man with hunger, emotions, getting tired, and influencing others;. Jesus is also fully divine; He has extraordinary power in healing the sick, calming the storm, feeding thousands, and speaking with authority. Jesus controls the spirit world and nature, and Jesus understands the human heart. Jesus calls people to himself, and they follow. Jesus is constantly challenged by the religious leaders of his day. Jesus is training and molding his disciples. One focus of today’s message is that Jesus wants to turn your life upside down, as He radically transforms the lives of people he encounters by rearranging their priorities, turning their lives right side up, and blessing them with joy. The other focus of today’s message is that there is a gap between our lives and the lives Jesus invites us to live in the Gospel.

Jesus journeys toward Jerusalem 
Jesus is leaving Capernaum and traveling towards Jerusalem on the eastern side of the Jordan River. The ruler is King Herod Antipas, who beheaded John the Baptist as recorded in Mark Chapter 6. Jesus tells for the third time in Mark’s Gospel that the Son of Man, Jesus, will be betrayed, tortured, crucified, and ultimately resurrected (Mark 10:33). 
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). To be ransomed by Jesus’ substitutionary death is to be released from bondage to sin, from being held captive by Satan, and to be set free on our behalf.  This enables us to live a life of service, ransomes us from a life of self-service. We let go of selfishness and give ourselves away for the Lord’s sake and in His service. Jesus gave us the example so that we might receive His care, receive His sacrifice, and be ransomed from our old way of living, for ourselves to embrace the new way of life following the path of Jesus.

Encounter with Pharisees on Divorce 
The Pharisees, religious leaders, repeatedly challenge Jesus. The Pharisees questioned why the disciples don’t observe the traditions of ceremonial cleansing before they eat (Mark 7:6). The Pharisees in order to test Jesus, asked Jesus for a sign from heaven (Mark 8:11). The religious leaders considered themselves in charge. They set the tone; they are in control; they hold the “right opinions.” The self-important Pharisees again question Jesus: “And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked,’ Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’” (Mark 10:2).  They hoped to test Jesus, undermine Jesus, and get him in trouble with Herod Antipas. 
Jesus responds by asking them what Moses commanded. “They said, ‘Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away’”(Mark 10:3). This is quoting Deuteronomy 24:1 giving permission for a man to divorce his wife if there was something indecent about her. As noted by Shammai, a Pharisee who taught in the years just prior to Jesus’ birth, Jesus does not need to permit divorce for adultery, since those who commit adultery were required to be put to death (Lev. 20:10, John 8:5). Hillel (a Pharisee) notes that anything displeasing to the husband permitted a certificate of divorce. Jesus does not reject Moses’ words; instead Jesus goes back to first prinicples. “And Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your hardness of heart, he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female….So they are no longer two, but one flesh” (Mark 10:3-8). God’s original design was for Man and Woman to leave, cleave, and become one flesh, having a permanent bond for life.
The Pharisees leave, but the disciples bring up the subject again. “And Jesus said to them, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery” (Mark 10:11-12). Jesus’ answer turns their understanding of divorce upside down. A man can divorce his wife, but so can a woman divorce her husband. This was unheard of. The male dominant model is shattered. Marriage is on equal footing between a husband and wife. The same rights and the same consequences apply. There was a concession to the hardened heart of a man. God’s original design is a lifelong union. The first principle is that man and woman are on the same footing. This elevated the wife to equal rights and responsibilities with the husband. 

Encounter with the Disciples regarding children
“And they were bringing disciples to him… and the disciples rebuked them” (Mark 10:13). For the disciples, children are insignificant. The disciples see them as bothering Jesus, or perhaps they want center stage with Jesus for themselves. The disciples rebuked those who brought children to Jesus. The disciples want to be the guardians of access to Jesus. They consider the children a disruption, an invasion. There is a big gap between their view of the children’s importance and the view of Jesus.
‘ Jesus was indignant and said to them (disciples), Let the children come to me, do not hinder them, for of such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it….’”(Mark 10:14-18). Mark never softens the human emotions of Jesus, nor is Mark less than candid about the failings of the disciples. Jesus was indignant and angry at the disciples for their unfair treatment of the parents and the children. They had missed what Jesus taught them: “He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, Jesus said to them, ‘whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me’” (Mark 9:36-37). Jesus turns the disciples' concerns upside down by welcoming the children and correcting the disciples. The disciples are not to be gatekeepers preventing others from coming to Jesus. Jesus transforms our life upside down with the lesson to be as a child - innocent, humble, trusting, open, and dependent.

Encounter with the Rich Man
A man with all the favor society could give him  - status, comfort, security, importance - comes to Jesus. “And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, ‘Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’”(Mark 10:17). The rich man wants to convert his blessing of wealth into a secure spot in eternal life. Jesus’ initial reaction is quite abrupt: “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18). Jesus wants the man to understand the profound truth in his address. Since only God is truly good, and this man called Jesus good, then it follows that the man is acknowledging that Jesus is God. In other words Jesus is declaring that addressing Jesus with the title of Good Teacher, has implications for the man: If I am God, are you willing to submit to my authority?
Then Jesus points to and summarizes 5 of the 10 commandments. The man replies confidently, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth” (Mark 10:20). This was accurate as best the man understood himself. In an external sense, the man had not broken these commandments. But God looks on the heart. God discerns our motives. God knows if we have anger, lust, jealousy, or pride in our hearts. Previously in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus stated, “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come - sexual immorality, theft, muder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person” (Mark 7:20-23). 
Jesus loves this man. Jesus sees his heart. Jesus sees that the man’s attachment to his wealth is the thing that keeps him from eternal life. It isn’t the money itself, but it is the man’s TRUST in the money, his reliance upon wealth giving him position, status, comfort, and security. Jesus responded, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Mark 10:21). 
“Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” Mark 10:22). This invitation to go, sell, give, come, and follow, the man could not do. He could not let go of the thing that gave him identity and security and the thing he valued most, even worshiped. This turned the man’s world upside down. For him, this bridge to eternal life was too far. Let’s ask ourselves whether our heart is attached to something that keeps me from letting go and fully following Jesus. Might pride, comfort, ease, or security be my anchor rather than Jesus? 
Jesus then instructs his disciples. “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God. And the disciples were amazed at his words” (Mark 10:23-24). The general understanding of their day was that wealth was a sign of God’s blessing, not a barrier to the Lord. The disciple’s perspective was being turned upside down. Wealth can hinder one from putting their trust and dependence in God. Jesus provides a metaphor to help them understand: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:25). 
The disciples were astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus responded, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:26-27). Salvation to eternal life comes from God as a gift if we come humbly like a child depending on God’s grace and mercy.
Peter says that the disciples have left everything to follow Jesus. Jesus reassures with a threefold promise to anyone who has left “house or brothers, or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my (Jesus’) sake and for the gospel” (Mark 10:29). Promise 1 is to receive back now in this time “a hundredfold” of what was left for the sake of Jesus and the gospel. Promise 2 is to endure persecutions. Promise 3 is eternal life in the age to come. (Mark 10:30). The hundredfold return in this life must be understood in the context of the Christian community into which followers of Jesus enter. This community has a multiplication of relationships that are often closer and more spiritually meaningful than relationships by family blood ties. 
As a follower of Christ, there will be persecutions from the world opposed to God and Christ. Jesus goes on to promise eternal life in the age to come when there will no longer be persecutions of the followers of Jesus.
“But many who are first will be last and the last first” (Mark 10:31). In eternity, the rich and the powerful who oppress the poor will have the tables turned on them. 

Biggest gap of all - Jesus predicts his death vs. John and James seeking seats of honor
Jesus predicts his death: “And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise” (Mark 10:34). Right on the heels of Jesus’ prediction, James and John are concerned about themselves and their honor: “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand one at your left, in your glory” (Mark 10:37). The rest of the disciples are not any better; they get indignant at James and John for asserting themselves in this manner: “And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John” (Mark 10:41).
The disciples were self-serving, concerned for their own honor, and oblivious to what Jesus told them. Jesus continues to teach and train the disciples in the way of Jesus focusing on service, sacrifice, and God’s glory. “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:43-45).

Encounter with Blind Bartimaeus
Bartimaeus is a blind man at the low end of society reduced to begging to survive. When he heard about Jesus passing by, he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47). The title, Son of David, has Messianic meaning and acknowledges that Jesus is the Messiah. “And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” Jesus stopped and had the crowd bring Bartimaeus to Jesus. Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man responded, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight” (Mark 10:51). This man lacked physical vision, but had great spiritual vision. His vision of Jesus was clear with the eyes of faith. The blind beggar has spiritual vision to recognize Jesus as the Messianic Son of David; the blind beggar has enough vision to call for mercy; he has enough faith to ask to be given his physical sight. 
Bartimaeus has a vision for the things of God that the disciples are struggling to grasp. The lives of Bartimaeus and the disciples are being turned upside down. Jesus removes his blindness and grants him physical sight.

Summary of Issues
The mission of Jesus is to give his life as a ransom for many. Lessons for us in turning life upside down and closing the gap include the following.  Encounter with the Pharisees- Who is in control? Encounter regarding the children - Can you humble yourself? Encounter with the rich man - What do you rely on for life? Encounter with the disciples - Are you focused on self assertion or on service to others? Encounter with Blind Bartimaeus - How do you see?


DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Jesus journeys toward Jerusalem 

• Why is the highest honor for a human not to occupy positions of power and authority, but to serve others? How does the life of Jesus set the example for us in serving others? How is serving others turning the focus of our lives upside down and closing the gap between our lives and the life of Jesus?

Encounter with Pharisees on Divorce

• The Pharisees, as religious leaders, considered themselves as in control. They used their control and their opinions to repeatedly test and undermine Jesus. What aspects of your understanding of theology, if any, are “right opinions.” instead of the Word of Jesus Christ? 
• Are there portions of your understanding of the Word of God that give you difficulty? Perhaps, divorce is one of those portions of the Word of God. How does going back to first principles as God originally intended before the Fall, 
  • help in understanding the Word of God, 
  • transforming our life upside down to how God intended, and 
  • closing the gap of our Church community with the life of Jesus? 
• How does Jesus' Word on divorce of husband and wife turn the prevailing male hierarchy system prevalent in biblical days upside down to make it right side up?

Encounter with the Disciples regarding children

• How can you humble yourself? What other characteristics of a child does Jesus consider important for followers of Jesus Christ?

Encounter with the Rich Man

• What do you most rely upon for your life?
• Like the rich man, do you trust in your money or other possessions for position, status, comfort, and security?

Biggest gap of all - Jesus predicts his death vs. John and James seeking seats of honor

• What areas of your life, if any, are you concerned too much with self serving and positions of honor than with serving others?

Encounter with Blind Bartimaeus

• How do you see? What spiritual practices help you have vision for Jesus, to spiritually see the reality of Jesus?

Applying the sermon principles to good works

• Following are three examples of following the Lord in the continent of Africa. Their stories and biographies can be found in the Dictionary of African Christian Biography (DACB). Each had a significant impact on the spread of the Gospel in Africa. Bishop Festo Kivergere (1919-1988) became a pastor and eventually a Bishop of the Church of Uganda. Kivergere played a huge role in a Christian revival in southwestern Uganda. Dr. Paul Carlson (1928-1964) was a Covenant missionary doctor serving a hospital of 200 in a remote part of the Congo. After returning to the United States, he was assigned by the Evangelical Covenant Church to a mission station in Ubangi, Congo. In 1964, this area of Congo was infiltrated by Simba rebel soldiers. While trying to escape he was taken captive and shot to death. Professor Lamin Sanneh (1943-2019) was born in the Republic of Gambia in West Africa, the son of a Mandinka chief. With an Islamic background as a youth, he came to love God through his conversion to Christianity. He earned a PhD and became a leader in the study of World Christianity. He spent most of his adult life as a professor at one of the most prestigious institutions in the world, Yale University. 

How might these examples help us rediscover Jesus in transforming our lives upside down and closing the gap?