Seeing what Jesus gives: bible study

(a bible study on Mark 10:32-52)

This section of Mark after Peter recognises Jesus as the Messiah covers the last journey to Jerusalem and is about following Jesus in “the way”. It is framed by two giving of sight stories.

a)       Mark 8:22-26 when a man receives his sight in two stages.

b)      Mark 10:46-52 when a blind man correctly “sees” who Jesus is.

As we finish this section, the big question is: “What were the disciples to learn about Jesus’ “way” and “the way” of the disciple of Jesus?

Question 1 Mark 10:32-34

Why were the disciples amazed and terrified as they followed Jesus to Jerusalem? Was it the prospect of what awaited them in Jerusalem or the awesomeness of the one that was striding ahead and leading them?

Question 2 Mark 10:35-37

The word ‘glory’ is not used a lot in Mark (8:38,10:37;13:26). What were James and John asking Jesus to give them? What did they think that meant? Is glory for disciples the result of following “the way”?

Question 3 Mark 10:38-40

a.       What is the cup Jesus will drink? (Mark 8:36; Isaiah 51:17-20?

b.       What is the baptism with which Jesus will be baptised? Jesus was baptised (Mark 1:1-11) with a baptism of repentance but he had no sin. He was identifying with sinful humans and would suffer the judgement they deserved. (see Luke 12:50). Combined with the idea of the cup, how is Jesus describing the role of the messiah?

c.       In what way would John and James (and all disciples) drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, (10:39)? Is it identical to the way Jesus did? Does this concept have any meaning for us in comfortable 20th century Australia?

d.       Why couldn’t Jesus give James and John the second and third most important places in his glory?

Question 4 Mark 10:41-45

a.       Why were the other 10 disciples indignant?

b.       What does “lording it over them” mean? (10:42) Are there modern examples of this behaviour in the church, in Australian government and policing, in the world?

c.       To be great you must be a servant. How can you be a Christian servant?

a.       By doing what those you serve want?

b.       By correcting the wrong desires of those you serve?

c.       By doing what you believe is best for those you serve?

d.       By obeying God – our only master? Does this mean choice c. in reality?

e.       A combination of the above.

d.       Mark 10:45 alludes to Isaiah 53 and the suffering ministry of the servant. Did any of those being served by that servant recognise what he was doing? Did they want him to do it? 

Question 5 Mark 10:46-52

a)        

a.       What was the significance of the blind man in Mark 8:22-26 seeing clearly in two stages ie first receiving blurry vision and then crystal clear vision?

b.       What is the significance of the blind man in Mark 10:46-52 being the only person in Mark to recognise Jesus as the Son of David? Son of David is a title for the Messiah (2 Samuel 7:11-12; Isa 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5) Is there meant to be some irony in blind people seeing.

b)      How does Bartimaeus behave?

a.       Verses 47-48. How does he react to opposition?

b.       Verse 52 What does he do when he receives his sight?

c.       Are Mark’s readers supposed to learn something from this miracle and this man other than Jesus’ ability to heal? Does the miracle illustrate something?

d.       Was it safe for Jesus to heal the blind man?

Question 6 An overview from Peter’s confession to entering Jerusalem

Bartimaeus represents someone who identifies Jesus correctly then casts away everything from his old life to follow Jesus on “the way”.

a)       The disciples would have different values

a.       with respect to what is valuable (Mark 8:36-37)

b.       profess and Proclaim Jesus (Mark 8:38)

c.       adopt an up-side down view of greatness (Mark 9:33-37)

d.       find glory by way of suffering (Mark 10:35-40)

e.       aim at servanthood not Lording it over people (10:42-44)

Is having these values still a challenge?

b)      The cross is the way of “living” not a way of “dying”. Jesus is not on the road to Jerusalem in order to suffer but to pass through suffering to glory. The same sort of path will be the experience of his followers. There is a cost to discipleship that is paid on “the way” not at the end. At the end is vindication and glory.

a.       Is Mark 8:34-38 about losing your life, forfeiting everything and unashamedly following Jesus OR gaining one’s life?

b.       Is Mark 10:17-21 about self sacrifice OR how to gain eternal life?

c.       Is Mark 10:28-31 about how difficult and depressing following Jesus is OR about the generosity of God is more than repaying all we give up for Jesus?

d.       Is Mark 10:43-45 about being in permanent last place as slaves OR were they shown how to be great?

e.       Is Mark 10:37-40 about seeking glory OR about God and God alone generously giving glory?

c)       Jesus’ enemies though that they could prevent his ascendancy to glory by killing him. What is Jesus’ view? What is our view?