This Study © 1999 by David Humpal.

32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him.

From all the miracles and events that had happened, there were two different reactions from the two groups of followers. The disciples who knew Jesus well were astonished or amazed at what was happening. The followers who did not know Jesus that well were afraid. When we realize the Creator of the universe is with us performing miracles in our midst it can frighten us or it can make us respond in awe. The better we know Christ, the less we will be afraid of God’s power.

Even though the disciples had experienced first hand the amazing events in Christ’s ministry, it was necessary for them to understand that Jesus would set aside his divine power and lay down his life for our sins. It seems they never really did comprehend this, though Jesus told them often, until after his resurrection.

The problem is their focus was only on the power and the blessings of Christ’s ministry. They needed to learn about the suffering. Christians today tend to focus on God’s blessings only. We are just as bad as the disciples. We don’t want to hear about suffering or sacrifice. But suffering and sacrifice were an essential part of Christ’s ministry and they are an important part of our faith journey. It is wonderful to receive divine blessings, but it is during times of suffering that we grow in our faith.

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."
36 "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.
37 They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."

It is human nature to want to have the pre-eminent position. It is obvious the disciples really were not hearing what Christ was trying to tell them about suffering and sacrifice. They were only focused on their own reward. This is the cry of too many Christians today - What’s in it for me! We push and shove others out of our way, we put down other’s struggles and concerns, we want to receive all the praise, the honor, and the attention. But that is not the divine plan. Jesus had something different in mind.

38 "You don’t know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"
39 "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,
40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."

I find it interesting that Jesus did not rebuke James and John. I think he understood that in their hearts there was a servant’s heart. It just needed to be brought out. So he asks them if they can drink the cup and receive the baptism that Jesus had. I believe the cup is referring to the cup of sorrows or suffering that Jesus was to endure, and I believe the baptism is referring to the baptism of the Holy Spirit which the disciples would receive at Pentecost. They would have to endure suffering, but they would have the strength of the Holy Spirit to see them through.

It might have been these gentle words from Jesus that helped James and John later in life as they faced the suffering they were to encounter. James was beheaded and John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos. For each one I think it was enough for them to realize that they were drinking the cup that Jesus had given them. What cup has Jesus given you? Are you willing to sacrifice and even suffer for his name?

41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.

The other ten disciples weren’t much better than James and John. They were angry. Why were they angry? Did they think those positions James and John wanted should have been reserved for them? I have seen this happen in churches before. Some people get upset with others because they are given a position of prominence. God does not want us angry with each other, God wants us to support and encourage each other.

42 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.
43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.

Jesus tells his disciples what it means to be first in the kingdom of God. It means we are willing to serve others and to take the lower position to encourage others. If we are truly concerned for the welfare of others, we are not going to be upset with them or jealous of them. We will want them to succeed. Some of the greatest blessings in my Christian walk have been when I assisted another in their ministry. This idea of servant should be carried over into all areas of our life. Are we willing to be a servant at work? Are we willing to put our family first? Are we willing to be an encouragement and a help to our friends and our church family? Let us be willing to take the lower seat that others may grow in their faith.

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Jesus was such a servant that he was willing to give his life. How much are you willing to give. If Jesus could die for us, couldn’t we sacrifice a little of our pride, our time, and our resources for him? I believe our job in the church and the community is to be in the business of lifting up others. Jesus was willing to humble himself. We should never feel that there is anyone who is not "good enough" for us to help or reach out to.

46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging.
47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

What often happens in Mark is Jesus teaches a lesson to his disciples and then there is a practical application of this lesson. This is the case here. Jesus has just taught about being a servant to all. Next we see a blind beggar crying out. It seems that he had heard about Christ’s healing power. But the people apparently thought he just wanted to beg for money. So they rebuked him. After all, he was too unimportant to be bothered with. The people had not yet learned to have a servant’s attitude. Maybe they were pushing and shoving to hear Jesus’ words so they could be blessed. This blind man was annoying and preventing them from having their "religious" experience. We can condemn them, but if someone comes in our church service who is distracting, we would probably treat them the same way. If some one is talking in church during communion or during the sermon we want to give them a piece of our mind and tell them they were disturbing our worship experience. If we actually do say something, we may chase them away from church. There are ways to be a gentle teacher instead of a rebuker. But sometimes we forget that our job is to be a servant, and our pride or anger makes us say things we regret later.

49 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you."
50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
51 "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."

I think the people might have been expressing their frustration when they said, "cheer up, on your feet, he’s calling you." In other words they were saying, "You can stop your annoying cries. Your little ploy worked." But the blind man did not just want to beg for money. He wanted something far greater. He had heard about Jesus. And he believed that Jesus could heal him. The other people saw the man as an annoyance. Jesus saw the man as someone in need.

52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

I believe after the man was healed, the people may have realized that their attitude was wrong. Jesus neither rebuked the man nor found him annoying. Instead he met the man’s needs. Perhaps some of the people began to realize what it meant to be a servant, what it meant to allow others to be first. If they didn’t learn that lesson, at least we can learn it and try to put it into practice. Our mission is to minister to others and help them first to find Jesus, and then to help them stay on the Christian pathway. What can you do this week to encourage someone? What can you do to be a servant?