Seeing what Jesus gives: sermon
(a sermon on Mark 10:32-52)
We have come to the third of the passages beginning with Jesus predicting his suffering, death and rising. Mark 10:33
1. After the first statement the credibility of such a ridiculous claim for a Messiah was examined.
2. After the second statement, the concept of greatness in God’s kingdom was examined.
3. This third statement leads on to a discussion on how to be a leader in God’s kingdom. This is the last discussion with the disciples before Jesus enters Jerusalem for the last time. It is followed by Bartimaeus receiving his sight. This miracle precedes Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and comes at the end of explaining his mission in Matthew, Mark and Luke.
Jesus has been trying to get his disciples to understand that the Messiah would suffer and die. This requires an enormous leap of understanding.
Even harder in some ways was to understand that this had implications for his followers.
The Disciple’s Reaction
James and John asked. “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” Mark 10:35-37
James and John’s idea of following Jesus is so that they will have the 2nd and 3rd most powerful positions when Jesus becomes king. ie prime minister and treasurer
What’s the point of being an early adopter of this revolution unless you get the spoils?
Jesus’ answer – a question
Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 10:38
What is the cup?
Note: Jesus ’prayer in the garden of Gethsemane “Father take this cup from me” Mark 8:36
The cup is a common image of God’s wrath in the OT. (eg Isaiah 51:17-20)
What is the baptism?
Note Jesus’ own baptism (Mark 1:1-10). John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance but Jesus was baptised not because of his sin but as the Messiah who assumed solidarity with sinful humans. The consequence was to accept the judgement of God on sin.
So together cup and baptism signify that Jesus bears the judgement deserved by humans.
James and John can’t do that BUT they will participate in the sufferings of Jesus (1 Peter 4:13)
“You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, Mark 10:39
As they don’t understand that Jesus must suffer so now the suffering that they are happy to accept seems insignificant to them. A quick battle, then glory
The other 10 disciples are NOT happy
Everybody wants power and dignity
Jesus offers a new model
· not lording it over others
· but being a servant/slave. the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
We know this. It has infiltrated into our culture.
· the leader of our country is the “Prime Minister (servant)”
· government workers are public servants
But we have still not worked out what a servant in Jesus’ image does. Does it mean
a) doing what those you serve want?
b) correcting the wrong desires of those you serve?
c) doing what you believe is best for those you serve?
d) obeying God – our only master? (Does this mean choice c. in reality?)
e) A combination of the above.
AND What about asserting ourselves?
Only one master – God. No one is given authority to be anyone else’s dominating master
Jesus’ mode of service was suffering and death.
Bartimaeus receives his sight
The story:man named in Mark; he cries out, rebuked; cries louder, Jesus stops, crowd becomes sympathetic, he springs up, what do you want, sight, go your way your faith has made you whole, he follows
Note:-
· the journey to Jerusalem began with the healing of a blind man (Acts 8:22-26) and it ends with the healing of a blind man.
· only Jesus heals the blind in the Bible.
· the man who cannot see is the man who correctly identifies Jesus as “Son of David”. This is the first and last time that the title is used in Mark.
Healing the blind is a sign of the Messianic Age
Isaiah 35:5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
The Blind man uses a Messianic title. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me” (10:47) see Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5; 2 Samuel 7:12
What is the miracle teaching?
The Blind Man
1. The man is not “blind” – he recognises Jesus
2. The man is persistent
3. The man knows he needs mercy
4. The man follows Jesus “on the way”
Jesus
1. Doesn’t tell him to be quiet – the title is public
2. Asks what the man wants
3. Heals him even though it’s risky. He uses his power to heal not save himself
Following Jesus in “the way” turns usual values upside down. When we recognise Jesus we look for mercy from him.