What do you want Jesus to do for you today?
(A) His death was necessary (mark 10:32-38)
Jesus and the crowd continue to head up to Jerusalem, and Jesus walked ahead of them. The crowds were amazed and those who followed Him were also afraid (Mark 10:32a). The crowd could see that He was a man on a mission, resolutely heading to His death. Mark wants us to pause and consider Jesus’ resolve. It tells us the nature and necessity of what is to happen soon. What would make a man like Jesus head there with such resolve.
This is the third time that Jesus speaks about His death and resurrection and there is a sense of certainty that these events will take place (Mark 10:32b-34). Remember how Jesus was confessed to be the long-awaited Christ (Mark 8:29), and this confession came with it the long-standing hope of the nation. The people expected Him to deliver them and restore their sovereignty as a nation. But from Jesus’ teaching, what awaited Him is not glory and power but shame and death. Jesus headed to Jerusalem willingly and in perfect unison with the Father’s will.
In response to His teaching, James and John approached Jesus and they do not seem to understand what Jesus was saying (Mark 10:35). In fact, they skipped past the death and focused on Jesus rising. They only thought of Jesus in His glory (cf Mark 8:38).
Thus, they sought a position of power for each of them, one at each of His side in glory (Mark 10:37). They were so focused on the reward that is to come that they did not understand what is about to happen to Jesus. They were also so blind to their own need for a Saviour.
Jesus tries to help them see their need and turn their focus towards two images — the cup and baptism (Mark 10:38). Psalm 75:8 also speaks of a cup and here, this is a cup of wrath. A similar image is in Isaiah 51:11-23. Jesus is therefore about to drink the cup of God’s wrath. Similarly, baptism helps us to see how we are submerged under the waters for our sin and rebellion.
Jesus is helping them to understand that the path to the glory that they long for cuts through death. Jesus death is necessary because sin is our greatest problem. We may have heard this many times but let us not gloss over this too quickly. Has your heart grown cold to the weightless of this sin and the extent of this sacrifice? Friends, God had to go to this extent to bring us back to Himself. Does God feel distant? Does His work feel abstract? See Him at work here. Jesus wanted these enterprising disciples to recognise that He came to deal with their greatest problem, a problem we, too share in. Without Jesus drinking this cup and being baptised with this baptism, we can have life.
This changes how we think about our circumstances, Our greatest problem is not what is going on around us. When we realise that Jesus has dealt with our biggest problem — sin — we can see that the worst that this world can throw at us cannot truly harm us. It changes the way we think about Christian suffering and sacrifice.
(B) His ransom was exemplary (Mark 10:39-45)
The disciples declare that they are able to (Mark 10:39a) and Jesus goes on to explain and teach them (Mark 10:39b). Jesus teaches that they will be baptised with His baptism and will also drink His cup. They will join with Him in suffering.
However, Jesus, the Son of Man, is not able to grant them this position of power (Mark 10:40). This is only what the Father does. Jesus fully trusts the Father’s provision and submits Himself to the Father’s will
This is important because suffering is real. In Acts, we read of how James becomes one of the first Christian martyrs (Acts 12:2). John is also eventually exiled at Patmos, where He writes the book of Revelation (Rev 1:1)
The disciples heard the conversation and were indignant at James and John (Mark 10:41). They were upset that they lost out and all the disciples missed out on the message of suffering. Jesus knew their hearts and addressed them. They knew that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and their great ones exercise authority over them (Mark 10:42).
But this is not how things work in His kingdom. In fact the problem was not their Gentile rulers. Their hearts were the same as the Gentiles as they longed for the same prestige and power. His followers should be different. Greatness in the kingdom is marked by being a servant (Mark 10:43-45). What is your Christian service like? Is there something distinct in the manner with which you do it? Do you prefer one another’s needs?
Jesus also states that the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). This is the same Son of Man in Daniel 7 that is presented in all glory. What is this ransom? This is the ransom that we owe, our debt and the cup of wrath that we are meant to drink. Jesus came and drank it on our behalf. He has freed us from sin but has also joined us with Christ. This is the kind of service that He shows us.
John writes 1 John 4:10-11 towards the end of his life. Christ showed His love by paying the debt that we cannot pay.
How do you go about your Christian service and sacrifice? How do you think about Jesus’ ransom, the ransom He paid for you?
(C) He grants faith that is visionary (Mark 10:46-52)
They end up in Jericho, which is close to Jerusalem (Mark 10:46a). Mark is telling us that they were close to their final destination.
They meet Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, who was sitting by the roadside (Mark 10:46b). When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he cried out “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! (Mark 10:47)” Mark records this is great detail for us. Notice also how he referred to Jesus as the Son of David, the promised Messiah.
As he shouts, the many rebuked him but he was unfazed and cried out again (Mark 10:48). Jesus, who was resolutely headed towards Jerusalem, sopped and told his disciples to call him (Mark 10:49). The people told him “Take heart” and “Get up” as Jesus is calling him (Mark 10:49).
Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, sprang up and came to Jesus (Mark 10:50). He threw off what little he had and ran to Jesus, a humble recipient of His mercy. This is wonderful picture of how blind beggars like you and I should respond to the wonderful mercy of Jesus.
Jesus asks what he would want Him to do for him (Mark 10:51). What a contrast it is to Mark 10:36! Bartimaeus asked for his sight to be restored. Jesus also makes it clear that faith is the instrument through which he has been made well. He wanted Bartimaeus to know that the object of his faith — Jesus — has made him well. And how wonderful it is that the first thing that Bartimaeus sees is the object of his faith (Mark 10:52). This Bartimaeus with sight restored follows Jesus all the way to Jerusalem.
As we sing in the hymn, Be Thou My Vision:
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heav'ns Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
From Mark 8 to Mark 10, despite Jesus speaking about His death and resurrection three times, the disciples are still blind. But there is still hope. If we are struggling right now, we can go to Him and ask that we see Him more clearly. He delights to grant us eyes of faith that sees Him rightly.
Notice how Jesus used the infighting disciples and the crowd who rebuked Bartimaeus to call Bartimaeus over (Mark 10:48). Jesus uses imperfect people to carry out His work. Friends, Jesus can use us too. The message that we bring to the world is simply, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.”
Today, what would you ask of Jesus whose death was necessary, whose ransom was exemplary and who grants faith that is visionary.