Whom Shall We Exalt - Mark 10:32-52
Mark 10:32-52
v32-36...
Jerusalem was built on a mountain, so one must ascend to it. Jesus describes how he will willingly be delivered over to his fate, and he'll do it all to save us through his resurrection! When you hear "the passion of Christ" it means the suffering of Jesus. There have been three passion predictions now.
James and John ask Jesus to do whatever they ask... We should pray boldly to him, but remember, it is "Thy will be done," not mine!
v37... The disciples are still seeking worldly greatness.
v38-40... He calmly explains they cannot sit beside him in heaven because that place is not prepared for them. They know not what they ask for. They think the cup Jesus will drink is a celebratory cup of some sort... It's heavier than that: it'll require Jesus's very life.
Because of the cross on which he'll die, we praise him for he is worthy!
James and John will both be protected and killed.
v41... The other ten disciples get angry at James and John, likely because they were trying to the others to the punch... Trying to become the first.
v42... Disciples are seeking greatness, still. He never discourages them from this, but redirects them to a better kind of greatness! Humble service.
Greatness is not based on power dynamics! This is not how God's people should act. It is worldly, satanic. We must not abuse our gifts for evil, selfish purposes. This is the opposite of what Jesus expects from his people!
v44... Whoever would be first must be a slave of all! No man would write this; it is of God. Not just a servant, but a slave! "Doulos" is a Greek word meaning one who is a willing slave, who commits himself to his master voluntarily. A slave is not master of himself, of his resources, of his time. All these things must come under the authority of the master! And Jesus wants us to be a slave of all.
He wants us to never be above service to any person he brings our way!
Millard Fillmore... left his family on Christmas Eve to help the firefighters put out a fire in the library of Congress. Servant of all, despite his position.
v45... Two reasons why he came:
1. To serve. John 5:19... He can do only what the Father does. He dedicated every waking moment to the will of the Father.
2. To ransom. To give his life as a ransom for many. A kinsman redeemer. He gave his life for our debts.
When people reduce the message of Jesus to mere morality tales, it misses the point. Christianity without the cross is not Christianity! That is why he came.
v46-52... Blind Bartimaeus in Jericho. Bartimaeus knows he's the one with authority over his blindness.
They rebuked him, but Jesus stopped, stood still and said to call him over. Jesus told him to get up, he threw off his cloak, his most precious possession! He called him rabbi, but in the sense of Savior. Jesus told him he's healed, and to go on his way! And then he chose to follow along with Jesus.
Jesus didn't give this man any great ultimatum like he did the rich young ruler... Because this man didn't have any idols. To be great on the Kingdom of God, you don't need to be an impressive person! You just need to come to Jesus, in utter dependence.
One thought...
Bartimaeus left everything to follow Jesus. Luke records that when he followed him, he glorified God, and people saw and glorified God themselves! He wanted his vision not for selfish reasons, but so he could glorify God.
Matthew 5:16... Glorify him so people see your good works and give glory to him!
People are instinctively selfish. We all want glory, to be captains of our own ship. This is the basis of social media. All image! We crave praise and exultation from the world. Satan's original temptation: eat this fruit, and you'll be like God. We want praise and exultation!
But we were made to exalt and glorify God! Joy not found in earthly pursuits, only in glorifying God! We follow the path of Christ, and there is fullness of joy! We must be servants. The lower we can stoop, the better! Luke 14:11... Humble yourself; this is the path to greatness! The path of Christ.
We love and serve not to be saved... but because we are saved! We were made for his glory.
He says it's better to give than to receive; humble yourself to serve the people he puts in front of you. These are the greatest saints. Meet the needs because you belong to him!