MARK 10:32-52 {MARK 10:32-45} Living a Victorious Christian Life

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1 MARK 10:32-52 {MARK 10:32-45} Living a Victorious Christian Life FOCUS: PUTTING FIRST THINGS FIRST Jesus attempted to bring His disciples along in their understanding of His destiny. Jesus moved toward the climax of His ministry with the acknowledgement of two crucial facts (Mark 10:32-34). First, He identified Jerusalem as His destination. The crux of His opposition came from there. Second, Jesus predicted His suffering, death, and resurrection for the third time in Mark. Jesus caught His disciples off guard with this information. They understood the threat a move toward Jerusalem carried. But they continued to miss the full implications of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. These details, however, provided the perfect model for those who aspired to be Jesus' followers. The rest of the chapter identifies the disciplined approach required by those who would be followers of Christ. The contrast is between spiritual blindness and spiritual sight. As had been true throughout His ministry, Jesus' closest followers resisted His unsavory path to obedience. As if they failed to hear, some of Jesus' disciples launched into a personal quest for greatness as defined by human standards (Mark 10:35-41). They envisioned His enthronement as a political Messiah. He indicated that they simply failed to understand His idea of greatness. Jesus defined successful discipleship by the practice of humble service to other people (Mark 10:42-45). He downplayed success as attainment of position and power. Real greatness and success comes through serving, not being served. A promising man of wealth had refused Jesus' call to discipleship because he was unwilling to replace his god of material possessions with commitment to Jesus (see Mark 10:17-22). Jesus used the man's regrettable decision to warn against the difficulty wealth posed to entering God's kingdom. The picture Jesus presented dumbfounded the disciples. Jews generally considered wealthy people to be objects of God's favor. In response to Peter's statement that the disciples had left everything to follow Him, Jesus assured them they would receive far more than they had given up. Yet they were not to focus on rewards. God's awards day would hold some surprises. Lasting satisfaction and fulfillment in life comes only to people who learn and follow Jesus example and teaching of success. Oftentimes even Christians find themselves devastated because of the hand that life has dealt them. But life is not a poker game, God influences the decisions and circumstances of life and a Christian should never fear what is going to happen they need to trust in the LORD and God who loves them, has saved them and continues to work His power through them. The goal of this lesson is to show believers that they need to order their lives consistent with Jesus definition of success. How do you define success? In what ways does your life demonstrate that definition? In what ways have you been fulfilled as you sought success by this definition? In what ways have you been frustrated as you sought success by this definition? How does the selection of a role model affect the level of success? False gods: Wealth, Health, Status, Power, Popularity, Knowledge. True God: Jesus Christ 1

2 vv IGNORANCE & UNBELIEF RESULTS IN FEAR [32 Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; 34 and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again. ] Jesus and the Twelve Disciples, along with a crowd of people, are walking on a road towards Jericho (v.46). They were going up to Jerusalem because that city was built on a large hill 2500 ft above sea level known as Zion. Jesus was moving inexorably towards His suffering, death and resurrection. Jesus appears to be eager to get there as He was walking in the front. Luke captures both the prophetic timing of God s Messianic purpose and Jesus resolute determination when he writes, Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.. {Luke 9:51}. Both the disciples and the people knew that with all the animosity the religious rulers had towards Jesus, there would probably be big trouble. The disciples and the crowd of people in were at first amazed. But as they continued walking their amazement turned into fear. They knew the hatred of the Pharisees and their power now they were going to the religious rulers home turf and it was no secret that they wanted to see Jesus destroyed. What was going to happen? At this point in time Jerusalem symbolized opposition to Jesus and His teaching. Jerusalem would not be a very hospital place for Jesus. This is consistent with God s condemnation 1 of the city in the Old Testament {Isa. 1:10-17;Jer. 23:13-15; Ez. 16:53-57} as well as in Rev.11:8 where Jerusalem is the city in which God s TWO WITNESSES are slain and referred to as,..the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Jesus wanted to reassure the disciples that nothing was going to take Him by surprise and so they need not be afraid. But this is something Jesus had told them twice before and the disciples were not getting it. The other two times are found in the following verses: And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke this word openly. Mark 8:31-32 For He taught His disciples and said to them, The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day. But they did not understand this saying and were afraid to ask Him. Mark 9:31-32 So Jesus takes the opportunity for the 3 rd time to explain to them the plan so as to calm their fears. He has already told them the following five things: 1 However God s grace and mercy will be extended to Jerusalem and the city will be restored to a right relationship in the end when the Lord Jesus Christ reigns there. Refer to Ezekiel 16:

3 The Son of Man, the Messiah, will suffer terribly. He will be rejected by the religious rulers including the elders, chief priests and scribes; collectively the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme Court. He will be betrayed into the hands of men. He will be killed. He will rise on the third day. Jesus calls His disciples aside and in effect says, Listen up! But now He adds an additional detail; He will be delivered by His own people into the hands of the Gentiles! This should have been shocking and upsetting since the Gentiles were despised as pagans and the Romans in particular were considered uncivilized and vicious. Also, in rejecting Jesus they will mock Him, spit upon Him, flog Him and finally kill Him. This is a humiliating and gruesome description of what happened to Jesus and He willingly did this for us! The writer of Hebrews uses this fact to encourage and exhort believers to remain faithful and persevere through all trials and hardships: Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. Heb. 12:1-4 How do you think you would have responded to Jesus prediction if you had been there with the disciples? If success is measured as obedience to God s will, who was more successful : the religious rulers or Jesus? And what is the proof of that success? Jesus was successful in His mission because He followed the Father s will. Our being successful is also based on following the example Jesus provided; obeying God which may include suffering. vv THE CHRISTIAN LIFE HAS UNEXPECTED SURPRISES [35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask. 36 And He said to them, What do you want Me to do for you? 37 They said to Him, Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory. 38 But Jesus said to them, You do not know what you ask. Can you drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39 They said to Him, We are able. So Jesus said to them, You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared. 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John.] Now something happens that is completely incredible. In the midst of the turmoil and anxiety over going to Jerusalem, having been told that Jesus is going to be killed, James and John (sons of Zebedee), have the unmitigated gall of making a very selfish request, do for us whatever we ask, a blank check which they want Jesus to grant even before hearing it! 3

4 These disciples were still preoccupied with places of honor in the coming Kingdom of God. They were wrong in asking this and they were wrong to presume on the timing of this event. Of course Jesus already knew their request but notice that prior to answering, Jesus asks them to state their request. When God asks a question He is not looking for information. Therefore, Jesus is not looking for information when He asks, What do you want Me to do for you? He already knows what s in their hearts but He wants them to hear it from their own mouths. What makes this even more incredible is that the disciples had already been reprimanded by Jesus for disputing amongst themselves over who would be the greatest in the coming Kingdom of God on earth {see Mark 9:33-35}. That had also happened after Jesus told them He would be rejected, killed and rise from the dead! The disciples were not thinking about suffering, the meaning of Jesus sacrifice, but only the glory they anticipated after the dust settled. Even after Jesus death, burial, resurrection and just prior to His ascension, the disciples still had a mistaken expectation that Jesus would drive out the Romans and set-up the Kingdom of God: Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? Acts 1:6 This time James and John are not silent but make an amazing request, Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory. Jesus first tells them they do not even really know what they are asking. Then He asks them if they can drink the cup He will drink and be baptized with the baptism He will be. In scripture, especially prophetically, a CUP represented God s judgment against sin {Isa. 51:17-22}, sometimes it referred to joy {Ps. 23:5} and sometimes to suffering {Jer. 25:15}. BAPTISM represented identification and sometimes the entrance to a new life. James and John respond by brashly answering they are able to drink the same cup and go through the same baptism. Even though the two brothers did not fully understand their statement Jesus responds by telling them that they will indeed drink from the same cup of suffering and be baptized with the same baptism. But probably not in the way or time they expected. Historical Note: James was later executed by Herod Agrippa I {Acts 12:1-2} and the Romans attempted to kill John by throwing him into a vat of boiling oil which he miraculously survived. John was then exiled to the remote and deserted island of Patmos (from where he received the Revelation of Jesus Christ) where he presumably died at an age between years old. The early church father Polycarp was discipled by John. Jesus further added that it is not His prerogative to grant that kind of request but only the Father in Heaven decides that. Jesus response indicates that has already been decided because it is for those for whom it has been prepared. 4

5 The immediately draws the ire and indignation of the other 10 disciples, as well can be imagined. The Greek word translated here [indignant, greatly displeased] means to feel pain or be grieved because of aching joints. The other disciples were really steamed. vv A TIME TO REFOCUS: THE TRUTH BRINGS PEACE [42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. ] Jesus immediately diffuses the situation by reminded all the disciples of what is really important and what the key to success is. First, He reminds them that their behavior and attitude is like that of the Gentiles [which should have shamed them]. Having power and control over others is how the pagan world works. There is a hierarchy in most, if not all, organizations [business, political, military] even in churches, that is not Godly. We call it the rat race. Each person is striving to be more important or influential or powerful. In Washington D.C., it is not so much about money but sheer power for the sake of power. Power to control people s lives and attempt to forge a better society in the image of some person s philosophical idea. Jesus refers to them here as megaloi or megalomaniacs! But in contrast Jesus says it will not be that way among believers. Matter of fact, it will be just the opposite. Consistent with the first shall be last, and the last shall be first {Mark 10:31}, Jesus explains that successful ministry is rooted in self-sacrificing service. Jesus then describes two aspects of a successful Christian life that of greatness and that of being first, being the head honcho. If a Christian wants to be great among other believers he/she needs to be a servant to all; literally diakonos or an attendant. Furthermore, if one wants to be first he/she must take servant hood to the level of a slave; literally doulos the lowest class of slave in the Greek and Roman world! To drive the point home, Jesus uses His own life as the ultimate example: Even the Messiah, the SON OF MAN, did not come to be served, but to serve. Jesus served as a slave to the Father s will and in obedience give His life a ransom for many. The Greek word translated ransom here refers to a price paid for liberating captives or (ironically) slaves. In the Greek translation of the Old Testament [the Septuagint] this word is used to translate the Hebrew word which describes the tax paid by all adult Jewish males for their redemption. It is also used for the price paid to redeem a firstborn Israelite and to buy back mortgaged property. Thus, Jesus shed blood on the cross was the ransom payment made for our liberation and redemption from sin...knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 1 Pet. 1:

6 Christians have the opportunity to model Jesus reversal of the world s standards of greatness and prominence. Believers can server others rather than seek to have others serve us. In so doing we will be following the Suffering Servant, who gave us the supreme example. vv SPIRITUAL SIGHT COMES THROUGH BELIEVING [46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you." 50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. 51 So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." 52 Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.] In the parallel passage in Matt. 20:29-34 are mentioned two blind men and neither by name. But here only one of the two is mentioned and Mark knows his name so he gives it. This probably indicates that Bartimaeus became a devoted follower of Jesus and had a noteworthy ministry (even though the scriptures do not tell us so explicitly). Jericho was on the Westside of the Jordan River at the foot of the hill country that Jerusalem was built on. Son of David is a Messianic title used often by those addressing Jesus in admission of who He was. Jesus already knew what the man wanted so why did He ask him? Because, as with the disciples, Jesus wanted the man to verbalize His need and confess it. Notice that Jesus says, your faith has made you well. This phrase and the Greek word translated made you well can have the sense of both a physical and spiritual healing. This man received physical sight but more importantly he also received spiritual sight. He left a saved man because of his faith. This man immediately followed Jesus on the road. Whether he went all the way to Jerusalem with Jesus and the disciples we are not told. However, as previously mentioned the fact that he is mentioned by name is unusual because many people were healed by Jesus but usually their names are not given. I suspect that Bartimaeus had an instrumental role in the early days of the Apostles. 6

7 As followers of Jesus Christ we must live humble lives, putting others first and have a servant s heart just as the Son of God has! Those that are considered lowly or unimportant should be treated with respect and kindness. In God s view, greatness is measured in terms of active, selfless compassion for others. In this passage Jesus describes how this is done. The reality is, whether we are known as a great person is of little importance in the Kingdom of God. Our being known as a person who serves others and genuinely cares about others is of great importance to God. Bibliography (1) Ungers Bible Dictionary, Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (2) Nelson s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Copyright (3) Bible Knowledge Commentary/Old Testament, Cook Communications Ministries; Copyright 1983, (4) Willmington's Bible Handbook, Harold Willmington; Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Copyright