Mark 10:32-52 (Good News Translation) God’s Guiding Word Introduction Mark 10:32-52: Jesus speaks a third time about his death. James and John naively request to sit on either side of Jesus in heaven. When the other disciples get upset at their request, Jesus reminds them all that anyone who wishes to be great must be a servant (cf. Mark 9:35). Jesus heals a blind man named Bartimaeus who immediately begins to follow Jesus. Today’s Scripture: Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served; he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people.” Today’s Reading Jesus Speaks a Third Time about His Death (Matthew 20.17-19; Luke 18.31-34) 32Jesus and his disciples were now on the road going up to Jerusalem. Jesus was going ahead of the disciples, who were filled with alarm; the people who followed behind were afraid. Once again Jesus took the twelve disciples aside and spoke of the things that were going to happen to him.33“Listen,” he told them, “we are going up to Jerusalem where the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the teachers of the Law. They will condemn him to death and then hand him over to the Gentiles,34who will make fun of him, spit on him, whip him, and kill him; but three days later he will rise to life.” The Request of James and John (Matthew 20.20-28) 35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus. “Teacher,” they said, “there is something we want you to do for us.” 36“What is it?” Jesus asked them. 37They answered, “When you sit on your throne in your glorious Kingdom, we want you to let us sit with you, one at your right and one at your left.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You dont know what you are asking for. Can you drink the cup of suffering that I must drink? Can you be baptized in the way I must be baptized?” 39“We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup I must drink and be baptized in the way I must be baptized.40But I do not have the right to choose who will sit at my right and my left. It is God who will give these places to those for whom he has prepared them.” 41When the other ten disciples heard about it, they became angry with James and John.42 So Jesus called them all together to him and said, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the heathen have power over them, and the leaders have complete authority.43 This, however, is not the way it is among you. If one of you wants to be great, you must be the servant of the rest;44and if one of you wants to be first, you must be the slave of all.45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served; he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people.” Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus (Matthew 20.29-34; Luke 18.35-43) 46They came to Jericho, and as Jesus was leaving with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus son of Timaeus was sitting by the road.47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus! Son of David! Have mercy on me!” 48Many of the people scolded him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up!” they said. “Get up, he is calling you.” 50So he threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus. 51“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. “Teacher,” the blind man answered, “I want to see again.” 52“Go,” Jesus told him, “your faith has made you well.” At once he was able to see and followed Jesus on the road. Reflect What was Jesus’ response to the request of James and John (verses 38-40)? Why do you think the other disciples became angry with James and John? How would you have felt in that situation? What reason does Jesus give for his statement that whoever wishes to become great must be a servant (verse 43)? Why was Bartimaeus healed (verse 52)? (See also Mark 9:23. You may wish to ponder again the role of faith.) Pray O God, keep me humble when pride and ambition threaten to lead me astray. Let peace prevail when I quarrel over foolish and vain things. Bless those who already demonstrate a servant’s heart, and create, in those of us who do not, a greater willingness to serve others. Amen. Prayer Concern Those clouded by ambition
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 12:23:54 +0000