Mark 10: Hardness of Heart and the Kingdom of God

studyguide
Written By Roger Kirkhart

Pastor Tim's sermon focuses on Mark 10, addressing divorce, children, and the Kingdom of God. He begins by setting the context within Mark's gospel, noting Jesus' transition towards the cross. The sermon then examines the Pharisees' question about divorce, exploring the historical and theological debate surrounding it. Jesus responds by addressing the hardness of heart that leads to divorce, contrasting this with the tender hearts of children. He emphasizes that entering the Kingdom of God requires a childlike faith and a soft heart, which God can cultivate. The pastor concludes by urging listeners to invite Jesus into their lives and seek a transformed heart.

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Mark 10: Divorce, Children, and the Kingdom of God - Study Guide

I. Key Themes

  • Divorce and Hardness of Heart: The passage addresses the issue of divorce in the context of the Pharisees' attempt to trap Jesus. Jesus links the allowance of divorce to the "hardness of heart" of human beings, contrasting with God's original intention for marriage.

  • The Kingdom of God and Childlike Faith: Jesus uses the example of children being brought to him to illustrate the nature of the Kingdom of God. He emphasizes the importance of a childlike faith – trust, humility, and receptiveness – as essential for entering the Kingdom.

  • Grace and Truth: The passage emphasizes that Jesus offers both grace and truth regarding difficult issues.

  • Transformation of the Heart: The ultimate solution to the problem of hardness of heart is God's gift of a new, softened heart through faith in Jesus Christ.

II. Detailed Summary and Analysis

A. The Question of Divorce (Mark 10:1-12)

  • The Setting: Jesus is teaching in Judea, and the Pharisees approach him with a question about divorce.

  • The Pharisees' Motive: They are trying to test Jesus and trap him in a controversial position regarding the law.

  • The Debate: The question revolves around the interpretation of Deuteronomy 24:1-4, which allows a man to divorce his wife if he finds "something indecent" about her. Different schools of thought interpreted "indecent" broadly or narrowly.

  • Jesus' Response:He refers them back to Moses' command, highlighting that Moses permitted divorce, but did not command it.

  • He states that Moses allowed divorce because of the "hardness of heart" of the people.

  • He points back to God's original intention in creation (Genesis 1:27, 2:24), where God made male and female and joined them together, stating, "Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

  • He explains that remarriage after divorce (in cases where it's not permitted) constitutes adultery.

  • Key Insight: Jesus elevates the standard of marriage to God's original intent, revealing that divorce is a concession to human sinfulness (hardness of heart) rather than a divine ideal.

B. Jesus and the Little Children (Mark 10:13-16)

  • The Scene: People are bringing children to Jesus so that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuke them.

  • Jesus' Indignation: He is angered by the disciples' actions.

  • Jesus' Teaching:He instructs the disciples to let the children come to him.

  • He declares, "For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."

  • He states, "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

  • He takes the children in his arms, places his hands on them, and blesses them.

  • Key Insights:The Kingdom of God is accessible to those who have childlike faith – trust, humility, and receptiveness.

  • Children represent the opposite of the "hardness of heart" that Jesus associates with divorce. They are tender, trusting, and open.

  • Jesus values and welcomes children, demonstrating their importance in God's eyes.

C. Transformation

  • Heart of Stone: God can perform a heart transplant of sorts by taking out a heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh.

  • Steps: Invite Jesus in to take over your life, ask the Holy Spirit to give you a tender, childlike heart and constantly go back to the gospel.

III. Quiz (Short Answer)

  1. What question do the Pharisees ask Jesus in Mark 10:2, and what is their motive for asking it?

  2. According to Jesus, why did Moses permit divorce?

  3. What Old Testament passage does Jesus reference when discussing the original intent of marriage?

  4. Why are the disciples rebuking the people who are bringing children to Jesus?

  5. How does Jesus respond to the disciples' rebuking of the children?

  6. What does Jesus say about receiving the Kingdom of God in relation to being like a little child?

  7. What are some characteristics of "childlike" faith that Jesus is advocating for?

  8. What does the pastor mean when he says the truth is in between?

  9. How can we cultivate a soft heart according to the pastor?

  10. According to Ezekiel 36, what will God do with our hearts?

IV. Quiz Answer Key

  1. The Pharisees ask, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" Their motive is to test Jesus and trap him in a controversial position, hoping to discredit him with one faction or another.

  2. According to Jesus, Moses permitted divorce because of the "hardness of heart" of the people. It was a concession to their sinfulness, not God's ideal.

  3. Jesus references Genesis 1:27 and 2:24, which describe God's creation of male and female and the uniting of a man and woman in marriage as "one flesh."

  4. The disciples are rebuking the people likely because Jesus has just been "laying down the law about divorce and these relationships and what they should look like, and a little kid comes running in."

  5. Jesus is indignant and tells them to let the children come to him, saying that the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

  6. Jesus says that anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it, emphasizing the necessity of childlike faith.

  7. "Childlike" faith is characterized by trust, wonder, joy, humility, receptiveness, and a willingness to believe in the one who is teaching.

  8. Jesus did not give a simple yes or no answer, but gave an answer more complicated, requiring the use of more grace.

  9. Invite Jesus in to take over your life, ask the Holy Spirit to give you a tender, childlike heart and constantly go back to the gospel.

  10. God will take out our heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh, a heart that desires to follow His ways.

V. Essay Questions

  1. Discuss the significance of Jesus' appeal to God's original intent for marriage in the context of the debate over divorce in Mark 10:1-12. How does this passage challenge common understandings of divorce?

  2. Explore the connection between "hardness of heart" and divorce in Mark 10:1-12. How does Jesus suggest that this issue can be addressed, and what implications does this have for modern relationships?

  3. Analyze the meaning of Jesus' statement that "the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (Mark 10:14) in the context of the passage about the little children. What qualities of children does Jesus seem to be highlighting, and how do these relate to the Kingdom of God?

  4. Compare and contrast the attitudes of the Pharisees and the disciples in Mark 10 with the attitude of Jesus. What does this passage reveal about the nature of true faith and discipleship?

  5. Considering the message of Mark 10 in its entirety, how might this passage inform the way Christians approach difficult and controversial issues in contemporary society?

VI. Glossary of Key Terms

  • Pharisees: A Jewish religious and political party in the time of Jesus, known for their strict adherence to the law and their debates over its interpretation.

  • Deuteronomy 24:1-4: An Old Testament passage that outlines the conditions under which a man could divorce his wife.

  • Hardness of Heart: A spiritual condition characterized by stubbornness, resistance to God's will, and a lack of compassion.

  • Kingdom of God: The reign and rule of God in the hearts and lives of people, characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy.

  • Childlike Faith: A trusting, humble, and receptive attitude toward God, exemplified by the qualities of children.

  • Indignant: Feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.

  • Adultery: Marital infidelity.

  • Grace: Unmerited favor of God.

  • Truth: That which is true, in accordance with fact or reality.

  • Nuance: A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.

  • Subtlety: The quality of being refined or understated.

  • Repentance: The action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse.

  • Ezekiel 36: Promises of physical and spiritual restoration.

  • Patriarchal: Relating to or characteristic of a system of society or government controlled by men.

Other resources mentioned in this sermon:


Roger Kirkhart
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