The scripture says you shall seek me and find me if you search me with all your hearts. ( Jeremiah 29 verse 13 ).
If your heart is with God, everything you have will be channeled towards Him. Your time, your resources, and your energy will all be focused on him and the advancement of his kingdom.
That is why Jesus admonishes us not to lay our trust in the treasures on the earth or in the abundance of this world but heaven.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6 verses 19 to 21 )
Jesus must have studied the rich man’s heart. He will be one of such rich men who feels going to church, and obeying all the commandments of God is enough to enter the kingdom of God and nothing more. This man’s heart was tied to his wealth. The bible mentioned that the man left disappointed.
It is difficult for wealthy people to enter the kingdom of God but not impossible. A rich man that understands that God is the source of his riches and is willing to let go of anything as instructed by God will surely make heaven.
Deuteronomy 8 verse 18 says,
“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
God does not need us for anything, we need Him for everything.
Who wrote Mark 10:27 and when was it written?
Mark 10:27 was written by John Mark, who also served as a companion to the Apostle Paul in his missionary work. Mark’s gospel was composed either in the mid-60s or shortly after 70 CE, in Rome or Syria.
What is the context of Mark 10?
The context of Mark 10 talks about the teaching of Jesus concerning marriage, the kingdom of God, and the third prediction of Jesus’s death and resurrection.
Mark 10 is one of those chapters in the holy bible that contains the teachings of Jesus which addresses those that neglected children, women, and the less privileged. Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem with his disciples when He gave all these teachings.
This has been his lifestyle, teaching, and preaching even on a journey. He is a good master and a good teacher.
The chapter began with Jesus’s disagreement with the Pharisees concerning marriage and divorce. It was a way to test Jesus as we see in the verse of the chapter.
The Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” testing Him. ( Mark 10 verse 2 )
Jesus did not argue that Moses accepted divorce but He knew their mind and quickly informed them it was due to their hardness of heart that Moses did so. He stood on his point that God does not support divorce and anyone, man or woman that leaves his or her spouse commits adultery.
Mark 10 verse 5,
And Jesus answered and said to them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept
He backed his point with reference to the book of Genesis
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. ( Genesis 2 verse 24 )
Jesus emphasized the importance of little children to the people. When children were brought to him to touch and bless, the disciples saw the scene as a distraction but Jesus used that as an opportunity to teach them about the kingdom.
According to Jesus, until you accept the kingdom as a little child, you cannot be part of it.
Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. ( Mark 10 verse 15 ). He laid hands on them and blessed them.
The amazing part of the chapter is about the rich young man. This man came to ask Jesus what else is required to enter the kingdom of God after he has complied with all the ten commandments.
He received a great shock when Jesus asked him to go and sell his possession and follow him. This was a difficult thing for the man because of his great possession so he left sadly. Jesus taught his disciples and the crowd about the relationship between wealth and the kingdom of God.
According to him, in Mark 10 verse 25,
“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Rich people generally will not be willing to give up their assets.
Jesus saw the countenance of the disciples when he gave the response to the rich young ruler. He gave them the assurance and confidence that they can make it and no one has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for His sake and the gospel’s who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time and the age to come, eternal life.
Jesus made the third prediction of his death and resurrection and gave them a simple sermon about servanthood and its benefit using himself as an example.
Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. ( Mark 10 verses 43 to 45 )
The chapter concludes with Jesus healing a blind man called Bartimaeus.
What is the message of Mark 10:27?
The message of Mark 10:27 is to show believers that the kingdom of God is for everyone.
This is one of the verses in the scripture that talks about the grace available for believers who walk with God and so become part of His kingdom. Every child of God who desires to enter the kingdom of God can make it.
You don’t have to be poor to make heaven. Abraham who is our generational father was not poor. All Christians are spiritually connected to his order of blessings today.
From the beginning of the creation till the present day and present time, the kingdom of God is for all.
Many people feel you cannot be rich and at the same time be righteous. This is an old lie of the devil. Two ( riches and blessings) out of the seven-fold benefits of redemption talk about wealth.
Akinwunmi S. Akinwale refers to these benefits as Seven Fold Redemptive Package.
We can see this in Revelations 5 verse 12,
“Saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
At redemption, every bonafide child of God is entitled to all these benefits. What makes the difference is our understanding and faith to access them in our walk with God. If you are not rich, your package is not complete.
2 Corinthians 8 verse 9 says,
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”
Jesus himself who is our greatest example was very rich. He was never stranded during his ministry. The burning question is, why would He have a treasurer if there was no money to keep? ( John 13 verse 29)
In the context above, Jesus never uses the word impossible. He rather described how difficult it is for rich people to serve God.
It is acknowledged that most rich people ascribed glory to their efforts. They trust in their own abilities and not in the blessings of God. They get so busy and live comfortably in most cases that they ask themselves why do I need God or why do I need to fellowship with the brethren?
A lot of people even think it’s only people that have problems that go to church. God resists the proud, He gives more grace to the humble.
Jesus utilized the instance of the rich young ruler to teach the disciples about the difficulty of the salvation of the riches.
“But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible,” meaning
“But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible” means man cannot save himself, salvation requires the help of God.
The only way to understand this verse of the scripture is to read it together with the preceding verse. The verse was the answer to the specific question asked by Jesus’ disciples about salvation.
And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” ( Mark 10 verse 26 )
The disciples were dumbfounded when Jesus mentioned how difficult it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus saw their countenance and assured them. The text is strictly talking about wealth and salvation.
Man cannot be saved through his righteousness but by the righteousness of God which only comes through Christ and not our good works.
Ephesians 4 verse 24,
“and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”
With men without Christ, it is impossible but with those standing and walking with God, God has made his grace available for them.
“But not with God, for with God all things are possible” meaning
“but not with God, for with God all things are possible” means salvation is possible for all that trust in God.
For as much as you desire to be saved, you still need the help of God. Salvation is a combined effort of human beings and God. You cannot do it alone, the same way, God cannot force it on you.
The scripture says in Romans 10 verse 10,
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
The will of God is for all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth but still on God’s terms. The person that desires to be saved must be ready to do what it takes before God can save that person.
Jesus told Peter to leave his fishing business and follow him to be fishers of men. Jesus sometimes asked the disciples in Luke 22 verse 35,
And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.”
Trust in the true riches of God and not in worldly riches. Love Him and serve Him with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. The good news is you will enjoy his blessings here on earth and in eternity.
What is the difference in biblical translations of Mark 10:27 (NKJV, KJV, NIV & ESV)?
Mark 10:27 NKJV biblical translation “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”
Mark 10:27 KJV biblical translation “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”
Mark 10:27 NIV biblical translation “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God”
Mark 10:27 ESV biblical translation “ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
There is no difference in the four translations between NKJV, KJV, NIV, and ESV.
The four translations are written almost the same and have the same meaning.
How do I apply Mark 10:27 to my life?
Applying Mark 10:27 to my life is to love God more than my belongings and assets.
Money is good. The scripture also mentioned money answered all things. ( Ecclesiastes 10 verse 19 ).
Advancing the kingdom of God also needs money. Jesus gave the great commission to his disciples to go to all the nations to make disciples, spreading the gospel. All these can easily be achieved when enough resources are available.
Zechariah 1 verse 17 says,
“Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; The Lord will again comfort Zion, And will again choose Jerusalem.”
Don’t let any devil deceive you as some people misquote or misunderstood the scripture below.
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6 verses 9 to 10 )
Money is not evil, it is the love of money that is evil. Poverty is a disease, wealth is God’s intention for us. It is the love of money that destroys.
What is Mark 10:27 prayer?
Merciful Father, thank you for the gift of salvation and for saving me. I understand You saved me by grace. Thank You that all I need to live a Christian life by faith is found in You and not in my possessions. I pray that I will honour You by living every part of my life trusting in the Lord Jesus, for without Him I can do nothing, in Jesus name I pray. AMEN
Conclusion
There is nothing in this world that compares with the glory that awaits us in heaven, Jesus said in John 14 verses 1 and 2,
Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Revelations 21 verse 21 describes the picture of the gates of heaven,
The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
The two scriptures above gave a picture of the size and the beauty of heaven.
Jesus assured his disciples of a hundredfold return for those that left all for the sake of the gospel and follow him. ( Mark 10 verses 29 and 30 ),
You may have to sacrifice your great possessions, high positions, family relationship, large family, the wealth of the world, much property, and your family members to follow Christ. The good thing is that, in the end, you will reign with Christ.
