Mark 10:26 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Mark 10:26

Comments

The disciples are disturbed by this. The Greek is very strong – they were ‘greatly astonished’, ‘astonished beyond measure.’ How can any be saved? They were concerned for themselves. Peter thinks, ‘Will we make it? What will become of us?’ The disciples had overestimated human goodness and underestimated God’s holiness. The rich young ruler seems to them like a good man. Not many have come to Christ with such strong expressions of willingness to follow him, to do something significant in order to follow him, to identify so clearly that eternal life is what they need. Has the Lord set the bar too high for this man? If that is the standard, then how are the disciples themselves going to be saved? This is what they are thinking.

Application

They had underestimated the holiness of God. When he looks on us deeply offensive. We have stolen from God, we do offensive things. There is no possibility of access to God in our own strength. As a schoolboy I went to visit a refuse furnace. We were round the corner and the door was opened and we saw white hot furnace. If we ever stepped into it, we would be destroyed. Anyone who tried would be crazy. Such is the holiness of God. Without the atonement of Christ it would be quite impossible to come into his presence, yet some think they can please God on their own merits – ‘I can just about make it.’ Like a vagrant who thinks he can get on board the Royal Flight by offering a few coins at the counter office. Human pride likes to think it can make it.

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Mark 10:26 Commentary and Bible Study