B-Side - Mark 10:32-52

Today's passage is also in Matthew and Luke.

Matthew 20:20-29: Matthew says the question about James and John sitting at Jesus' right hand comes from their mom. It may be they had their mom ask in case Jesus got offended by the request. Even if the mom is asking the question, it's coming from James and John!

Also, Matthew says at the end that they come out of Jericho, while Mark says they were in Jericho to begin with. This is not a contradiction; at the time there was an old Jericho and a new Jericho a few miles from each other.

Matthew 20:30... Matthew records two blind men, and Mark only records one. Normally there are no names given in these stories; Bartimaeus must have been someone of note to be named. This may explain Mark naming only one person. He was likely someone later well known to the early church.

Luke 18:35-42: Luke has them approaching Jericho like Mark does. He mentions Bartimaeus was also a beggar.

Luke 18:43: He followed Jesus while glorifying the Lord

Now to our main passage, in Mark! Mark 10:32-52...

As Jesus and the apostles draw closer to his crucifixion, he is the one leading the way. Even when what we're about to do is difficult, we can choose not to complain or drag our feet, and actually lead the way!

He gives his third "passion prediction" (prediction of his coming suffering), and the apostles are blind to it. They don't understand.

v35... James and John want more power, more authority. When we're doing all that he asks, it's tempting for us to expect God to bend to our will. He's not required to do that! We have no power over him. We pray boldly in his word! But never forget the ending: "Thy will be done!"

v36... Jesus asks what they want; they want self-glory. When Jesus asks you what you want, a good response is, "Enable me and help me to glorify you!" Not "Can I have more glory for myself!"

v37... In Mark 9, regarding greatness, positions of honor at the table... James and John want this sort of special position of honor.

v38... They're thinking of sitting at a table for a victory feast, as conquering rulers... but they fail to realize Jesus is heading to Jerusalem to die! Before the glory comes the suffering. They don't realize they're asking to be hung on a cross next to him!

v39... He predicts the suffering and wrath coming on James and John as well. Drinking from Jesus's cup and being baptized with his baptism refer to suffering and persecution. James and John will suffer and be persecuted, but will not suffer the actual wrath of God, as the Father put that on Jesus alone, and he suffered it on our behalf!

v40... only the Father decides who sits where at the table with Jesus.

v41-42... Jesus calls the twelve to himself to instruct them. To teach about godly leadership, he gives them an example of ungodly leadership. 

v43... To be the greatest, be the best servant! Love and serve the Lord and the people around you.

v44... To be first, be the slave of all! All we are and all we have belongs to him! I am not my own, but his willing slave. Because of our allegiance to Christ, we learn to become like him in service to others, to humble ourselves like a child. 

v45... James and John are looking to be treated like kings... but to be like the King of Kings, you must humble yourself and serve. Give people your time!

v46... Bartimaeus is the final healing miracle in Mark, and is the only person healed in the synoptic Gospels who's been identified by name. He was likely known to the early church or the apostles.

v47-48... The apostles are trying to silence Bartimaeus, as if he's an annoyance. But he calls out louder!

v49-50... Jesus says to bring him over! He senses there's more going on here than just panhandling.

v51... he asks Bartimaeus what he wants Jesus to do for him-- the same question he asks James and John earlier... getting back his sight would be an answer to prayer, but would also disrupt his life, his source of begging income. So the disciples look for power, self-glory, but Bartimaeus just wants eyes so he can glorify God!

v52... The disciples were blind men who needed Jesus to heal them too! They need to come to Jesus not jockeying for power, but for their eyes to be opened, so they can follow him the right way! Once Bartimaeus was saved, he followed the Lord. 

So if God opens our eyes, we respond by glorifying him and following him!

Though we are to bring our gifts, our possessions, our resources all under his authority, we can still enjoy the things of this world that he's given us! Enjoy your family, friends, a good meal, a beautiful sunset. If we do these things to his glory, it's worship!

The difference is we worship the Lord of the gift more than the gift itself. We worship and follow the Creator rather than worshipping and following the creation. Enjoy a nice meal, but don't live for food! Yes, work hard, but don't live to work! Follow where our Master leads, through his Word, in prayer, following the Spirit. Like this blind man, we are healed, and we follow our Lord and Master!

The rich young ruler had it backwards: we don't do good works to earn salvation. The blind man is healed and rests in the work Jesus did to give him salvation!

Those of us in heaven will know we didn't get there on our own merit. We will be the people most grateful for what Jesus accomplished!