Mark 10:23-27 – “And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴ And the disciples were amazed at his words.  But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God.  For all things are possible with God.”

My focus this morning is on Mark 10 and 11.   In Mark 10, Jesus caused the disciples to be flabbergasted.    Flabbergasted?   About what?  It was His treatise on rich people and salvation. 

He did not say that being rich was not God’s will.  His message was the captivating corruption of trusting wealth rather than God.  It was about seeing Everything as a tool of ministry, not as a source but as a tool. 

The disciples were shocked, possibly thinking Jesus was condemning wealth.  They became even more astonished when Jesus made the oft-quoted declaration in Mark 10:25.  Salvation, under those conditions, did not seem possible.  Jesus said, “Boys, you are right, but you are wrong.  It is impossible for man through man, BUT GOD can do all things.“

In Mark 11, faith and God’s ability to do the impossible surfaced again.  We claim to believe these passages, and maybe we do.  However, true belief is demonstrated, not just expressed verbally.   It acts (experiential faith) rather than declares (theoretical faith).  Faith without works is theory, not faith.

The keys are faith in God, not faith in faith.   We see the demonstration of declaring what we desire to be a realized reality now.   There is to be no doubt in the heart.  None, Nada, Zilch, Zero!  Not even a little.  None! 

Believes “in” his heart could be rendered ‘Expects it to be a Present Reality.’  Most hope it will rather than “expect” it to be.  Few see it as done.   Most hope it will be if they pray enough, confess it enough, and become worthy enough.   Therefore, rather than experiential faith, they have theoretical faith and live in a state of superficial theoretical hope, not faith.

DOUBT DOES NOT EXPECT

Jesus offered an addendum, which is the biggest hindrance to reaching that level of expectation (Mark 11:25-26).  There must be “Forgiveness From the Heart!”

Then, in Mark 12, something valuable arises.  Jesus describes how we are to love God, and this is the key to knowing God, which is the key to experiential, no Doubt, faith.

We are to Love God with the entire heart.  Most of us get that.  We are to Love God with our whole soul and all our strength.  But we miss a connector between the soul and heart – The Mind.  Jesus separated the mind from the Soul and Spirit. 

Let me offer this consideration – The Mind, the cognitive mental ability, is the channel that connects the Soul and Spirit.  We live in a body influenced by the soul.  The mind can take the things of God and order them in a way that makes sense.  It can also open the door for the heart to embrace that truth, and it becomes who we are.  Then, out of the convinced heart, we have Zero Doubt and Expect!

There we become “All,” Jesus says we are, and no mountain can withstand us (literal or spiritual).  We become visible expressions of the Kingdom, manifesting Him and His power.   That is God’s design and desire for you.  I pray for it to be a recognized reality Now!

May this day be powerfully victorious as you walk in God’s Peace and Grace!