Read: Mark 10:32-52 NLT – Jesus Again Predicts His Death – They – Bible Gateway
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 NLT
This week Jesus is making His final approach to the city of Jerusalem were He will fulfill His mission of serving others by giving His life as a ransom for many. This final trip with His disciples started in Ephraim going through Galilee, south to Jericho, and on to Jerusalem. The Scripture says they were going up to Jerusalem even though they are traveling in a southernly direction. Jerusalem is actually 2,500 ft above sea level. Their trip will take them down through the Jordan Valley, below sea level, then upward to Jerusalem in the south. Jesus was walking ahead of them which was rare for Him to do. “They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe, and the people following behind were overwhelmed with fear.” (Mk.10:32 nlt) Many followers were frightened due to the threats upon Jesus coming from Jerusalem. Yet, they were amazed at His courage as He led them on the road.
Jesus reveals for a third time His upcoming death, this time in much more detail. Jesus confirms this is the trip in which it will all take place. He will be betrayed and handed over to the Jewish religious rulers who will sentence Him to die handing Him over to the Romans. “They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.” (Mk.10:34 nlt) Despite the fact this is the third time Jesus spoke these words to His disciples they still failed to register it in their thought process. What happens next reveals what their thoughts were.
After Jesus informed His disciples what would soon take place when they arrive in Jerusalem, James and John ask Jesus for a favor, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.” (Mk.10:37 nlt) They clearly didn’t get it. It is as if James and John didn’t hear a word Jesus said. They were concerned about their own position in the future kingdom, which they still thought would be happening in the here and now. They were so focused on their view of the kingdom they failed to hear what the King said about the establishment of His kingdom. Christians today fall into the same trap of rewriting Scripture to reshape the kingdom as to what we think it should represent and how one is to come into the kingdom.
Jesus firmly answered James and John telling them they did not know what they are asking for. In the parallel scene of the disciples arguing who would be the greatest (Mk.9:33-37) Jesus taught the disciples what is true greatest. Here, He teaches them about humble, loving service. Drinking a bitter cup of suffering and being a servant to all is a humble, loving service shown as true greatest. The other disciples were indignant at what just occurred, but perhaps they were anticipating those positions for themselves. Jesus again teaches them all an important lesson.
Jesus noted how the rulers in the world ‘lord it’ over the people. They brag about their power and positions. Jesus then reverses the world’s value structure by saying, “But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.” (Mk.10:43-44 nlt) The disciples were to be different. We’re called to be different. Christians are to lead by serving. The disciples were to learn to lead by serving. And Jesus gave us both the greatest example, Himself, when He said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk.10:45 nlt)
The reason Jesus came to this earth was not for recognition or to lord it over people, but to provide salvation for all who accept His sacrifice for sins. This is the ultimate act of serving lost sinners. We cannot achieve entrance into heaven on our own. We needed someone who is ready, willing, and able to serve us in this fashion, and Jesus came to serve us in our most important need. He did not come to be served, but to serve.
As chapter 10 closes, Jesus performs His last healing miracle outside the city of Jericho. This the first and last recorded visit of Jesus in the city of Jericho, a rebuilt city under Herod the Great, 1 mile south of the ancient Old Testament Jericho. “A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (Mk.10:46-47 nlt) Bartimaeus was sitting just outside the city on the main road to Jerusalem. Being in his condition he would sit there asking for donations of those passing by on their way to Jerusalem. When he heard Jesus was passing through he shouted out to Jesus to have mercy on him. Two very important truths are noticed through the blind man’s words. He called Jesus, ‘Son of David’ meaning he must have believed Jesus was the Messiah, and he asked Jesus for mercy. Bartimaeus did not think God owed him anything but begged for mercy from Jesus the Messiah. We live in a world where at times people assume that God owes us something. He doesn’t, but He will bestow mercy on all who call on Him.
When Jesus heard the man, he stopped. Jesus always stopped when those in need called out to Him, and this time was no different. He called for the man, and Bartimaeus quickly threw off his coat, jumped up and headed towards Jesus. The moment he had waited for many years had arrived; he would not be late. ‘“What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked. ‘My rabbi,’ the blind man said, ‘I want to see!’” (Mk.10:51 nlt) Bartimaeus was healed immediately. Both his physical and spiritual eyes were opened, and he followed Jesus down the road.
Jesus continues His trip up to Jerusalem with His disciples and those who have been traveling with Him, along with the people heading to Jerusalem for the Passover, and now Bartimaeus is tagging along with them. We pick it up next week………
Word for the Soul 