Mark 10, Part Two

Announcement of His coming passion (vs. 32-34)—Jesus had told His disciples before about His coming death, burial, and resurrection, but they were having trouble accepting it. Amazement and even fear took hold of them (v. 32); their misunderstanding of His mission led to confusion and doubt. And all of that caused great consternation. They simply didn’t know what the future held anymore—the glorious King they expected or the suffering Servant Jesus spoke of? Prejudicial thinking is hard to overcome.

True greatness in the kingdom (vs. 35-45)—Matthew records this event in chapter 20:20-28 of his gospel. Here are my comments at that location: “The mother of James and John had a special request of Jesus: “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom" (v. 21). Well, a mother certainly wants the best for her sons, but this does sound selfish. And, again, she has an earthly perspective—Jesus will literally reign from Jerusalem, and sitting at His right hand and left hand would obviously be a place of honor. Jesus responded “You do not know what you ask” (v. 22). He would suffer, not reign on this earth, but James and John did not realize that—even though He had just told them again (vs. 17-19) of His coming death. The other apostles, not surprisingly, were indignant at the request (v. 24). Jesus informs that true greatness in His kingdom lies in serving others: “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (vs. 26-28). And again, this just did not fit the apostles’ conception of an all-conquering Christ. But they’d learn.” The point of this section cannot be emphasized too often or too strongly: true greatness in God’s eyes is found in serving others, not in lording it over them. Christians cannot, must not, be like the world. Again, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Being like Christ is our purpose on earth.

Healing blind Bartimaeus (vs. 46-52)—There were actually two blind men in this incident (see Matthew 20:29ff.), but Mark only mentions the more prominent of the two, a man named Bartimaeus. Because of his blindness, he had been reduced to begging for his existence (v. 47). When he heard that Jesus was passing by, he cried out for mercy (v. 47). The crowd cried to shush him, “but he cried out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (v. 48). Jesus responded, and called for him to come. Mark adds the interesting incidental “And throwing aside his garment…” (v. 50). Most scholars think that Peter was the (human) source for Mark’s material, so this little eyewitness happening must have caught his eye. Maybe Peter liked the color of the garment! It’s not an unimportant point. An eyewitness might indeed note something like the casting away of a garment. If somebody was just making all of this up, why would he mention, or even think of, such a detail? Jesus asked Bartimaeus what he wanted; “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight" (v. 51). His belief in Jesus granted him his desire: “Go your way; your faith has made you well” (v. 52). The Lord wants us to always remember that good things result from faith. Not surprisingly, Bartimaeus became a follower of Jesus (v. 52).