The reading plan has me in Romans 10 and Mark 10 today. It's interesting to see how the two chapters compliment each other.
Does it matter that our knowledge of God is accurate? Isn't everything fine as long as we have a "zeal for God"?
Romans 10:1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. (speaking of his Jewish kinsmen from the previous chapter) 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
His kinsmen were seeking to "establish their own righteousness". In other words, they wanted to earn their righteousness rather than depend on Christ to supply it.
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 or “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
So in the light of these words from Romans, I go back to Mark 10 and see the differences in action.
Children
Mark 10:13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Rich Man
Mark 10:17 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?” ...19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Blind Man
Mark 10:46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
The rich man, asking what he must do to be saved, shows that he has a zeal for God, but because of his possessions, self-sufficiency and pride, does not come to Jesus asking for mercy. He comes askng what he must do to earn mercy. So Jesus, knowing that the man's identity was wrapped in his wealth, asked him to let go of it. Jesus wasn't saying that the man would be saved by letting go of his money. He was asking him to let go of things that hindered his ability to have a childlike faith.
On the front side of this story, you have children that Jesus holds ups, saying to such belongs the kingdom of God. Childlike trust.
And then there's the blind beggar. He sees Christ, and knowing of his healing power (as Paul says in Romans, our knowledge of who He is and what He can do matters) he calls out for help. He lacks self-suffiency. He lacks pride. He lacks the ability to do anything about his blindness. I note the order of events with this man. He demonstrated faith, was then restored by his faith, then "followed him on the way". Jesus didn't say "follow me then you will be restored."
So knowing who He is, do I come to Him in mercy, or do I come to Him asking what I need to do? Jesus' words in Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
