(Read Mk. 10:32-52)
Introduction: In the last part of the tenth chapter of Mark, Jesus and His
disciples were going up to Jerusalem. He took the "twelve" and began AGAIN to
speak to them about the fact that the Son of man is going to be delivered to the Gentiles
and be killed (vs. 32-34). Then two of his apostles came requesting that they might be
favored in His "glory," indicating that they thought He was going to be a
political figure, having an earthly rule (Vs. 35-37). Jesus responds so as to help them
see they didn't really understand what they were asking (Vs. 38-40). When the ten heard of
the request that the two had made of Jesus, they began to be "much displeased with James and John" (V. 41). Jesus
takes the opportunity to show how they were to differ from the rulers of the
Gentiles (Vs. 42-45).
As they passed out of Jericho, on their way to Jerusalem, a blind man cried out to
Him. He was brought to Jesus and Jesus told him that his "faith" had made him
whole. We are told that: "he
received his sight, and followed Jesus." Onc eagain, Jesus demonstrates His power to perform miracles by giving a
blind man the ability to see (vs. 46-52).
1. Those following Jesus, as He went before
them, were "amazed" and "afraid." This is Jesus' last trip to
Jerusalem, and the disciples were aware of the opposition that He had encountered there
(cf. Jn. 11:8). Thus they were both afraid and yet at the same time they were amazed at
what they saw and heard from their leader.
2. Jesus taught the twelve apostles that He was
to be taken unto the various leaders of the Jews. Those leaders would condemn him to death
and take Him to the Gentiles. He would be mocked, beaten, ridiculed and killed. However,
the "third day" the greatest event in history would
occur, He would "rise again." To us, it seems strange that at this point
the disciples did not understand or accept the fact that Jesus had to die for the
sins of the world.
3.This mis understanding manifested itself in
James and John, whose ambition and misconception were the result of wanting to be first in
line to benefit from His glory! Yet, they failed to SEE what that glory really meant.
4. Jesus questioned them, trying to get them to
see that they were asking for something, that they didn't understand. The
"glory" was different from what they had perceived: suffering was associated
with it. Drinking the cup of suffering and being baptized (overwhelmed) with pain
was part of the glory He was to bring about
5. When there was jealousy and competition,
that was the same as the "Gentiles
exercising lordship over"
their citizens. However, in His reign there was to be a different set of rules,
measurements, gauges that would characterize greatness.
6. His power (credentials)were again manifested in causing the blind to see. How wonderful on two levels!
Questions:
1. According to v. 32 where were they all ( with Jesus leading the way) going and their
mind set?
2. Who did Jesus "take again" and say WHAT to them) (vs. 32-34)?
3. Who made a request of Jesus and what was the request (v. 35)?
4. How did Jesus respond to the request (vs.36-40)?
5. How did the "ten" react to what the two had done (v. 41)?
6. What was Jesus referring to when he said, "so it shall not be among you" (vs.
42-43)?
7. What is the formula for being "great among" the followers of Christ (vs.
43-45)?
8. How did the "blind Bartimeus" express himself to Jesus (vs. 46-47)?
9. How did Bartimeus respond to those who "charged him" to "hold his
peace" (v. 48)?
10. How did Jesus respond to Bartimeus (vs. 49-52)?