Chaplain Jill’s Devo
Receptivity and Resistance to the Kingdom
(Read Mark 10)
Reflection on the passage:
When I think of what it means to be receptive, I picture open palms, hands ready to receive. It is a trusting, vulnerable gesture, like children putting out their hands to receive their portion of whatever yummy food is being doled out. In Mark 10 Jesus lifted up this receptivity in children as a model for how we enter the Kingdom of God (vs. 15). In this chapter we also see examples of blocks to receptivity, as well as outright resistance to the Kingdom. But Jesus continued to teach and invite His disciples and others into Kingdom understanding.
In contrast to the crowds who flocked to Jesus and soaked up His teaching, the Pharisees came with questions to test Jesus (vs. 2). When they asked Him about the controversial issue of divorce, Jesus gave them a Kingdom perspective. He invited them deeper, even beyond Moses’ law which made allowances for the Israelites hard-heartedness, by pointing them to God’s original intent for marriage as seen in Genesis.
The disciples’ receptivity was a mix. They looked to Jesus for understanding and wanted to learn from their teacher, asking Him for further explanation about divorce and about who can be saved. But even as Jesus explained things repeatedly, they didn’t seem to get it. They rebuked the people who were bringing children to Jesus, even though Jesus had already in the previous chapter taken a child in His arms and said that to welcome children in His name was to welcome Him (9:37). After Jesus explained to them again about how He would die, they once again argued over who would be the greatest among them. Jesus patiently taught them again about how it is in the Kingdom of God, that “whoever wants to be first must be slave of all” (vs. 44), and that He Himself came not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (vs. 45).
As for the wealthy young man, he began with a beautiful receptivity. He fell down at Jesus’ feet asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus loved this man who had kept the commandments since his boyhood. But then when Jesus invited him to more, to give up what was holding him back – his wealth – and to follow Jesus, the man sadly turned away. He was too attached to his wealth to open his hands to something much greater – to be Jesus’ disciple. If only he had asked Jesus to help him with this block.
We too have blocks and resistance in our hearts to Kingdom ways and might ask like the disciples did, “Who then can be saved?” But mercifully and amazingly, what for humans is impossible, is not impossible for God – and in Christ God has made a way! As we receive this amazing gift and open to the work of the Holy Spirit in us, He will transform us more and more and lead us in God’s paths.
Focus verses and questions for prayerful reflection:
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (Mark 10:51-52)
- Picture Jesus asking you this same question, “What do you want me to do for you?” What would you answer be? Talk with Jesus about this.
- What has been your response to ways that God has healed or graced you? In what ways have you been invited to follow Jesus more closely? Talk with Him about any barriers you are experiencing in doing so.
For further reading:
Read the Genesis passage about marriage that Jesus’ references: Genesis 2:18-25
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