Mark wrote when Jesus, “he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why do you call me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor your father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatsoever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and said unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!”, and in chapter ten and verse twenty-four of his book, Mark shared how Jesus told His disciples, “children, how hard it is for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!” where we read:
And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again, and said unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
The verse reads, “And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again, and said unto them, ...” Mark began with the words, “and the disciples” which means “and Jesus' students, pupils and attendants” “were astonished” or “were terrified, amazed and frighted” “at his words” which means “by Jesus' utterance, speech, decree and mandate”. “But Jesus” or “however, nevertheless, moreover and Jesus whose name means Jehovah is Salvation and is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “answered again” which means “responded and began to speak another time”, “and said unto them” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed to His students, pupils and attendants”. Mark shared how Jesus' “disciples” were amazed and frightened by His words, however, He began to speak with them again.
The verse goes on to say, “Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!” Mark continued with the word, “Children” which was “an affectionate address toward His disciples”, “how hard is it” or “how difficult and impracticable” “for them that trust in riches” which means “for people who have faith, confidence and are persuaded to believe in wealth and money” “to enter into the kingdom of God!” or “to make entrance and come into God's dominion, rule and reign”. Mark shared how Jesus affectionately addressed His “disciples” and explained further that it is extremely “difficult” for people who put their “faith and trust” in “money and wealth” to “enter into” God's Kingdom.
When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus' “disciples” reacted to His words concerning it being difficult to enter into God's Kingdom when a person has “riches”. Jesus noticed their “amazement and fright” and clarified further that those who “have faith in” their riches are the ones who have “difficulty” coming into the Kingdom of God. God the Father wants everyone to live with Him in His Kingdom through His Son Jesus, and when they yield their lives to Him and trust in Him rather than their “wealth”, they shall receive the “riches” of the Kingdom of God that shall never end.
Next time Mark shares how Jesus told His disciples, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” , so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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