Mark 10:32-52

Wes shared his story of receiving the promotion to President of Lanier. Unexpected and exciting. Afterwards, he discovered that his boss and superiors were only instruments in this transaction...Psalm 75:6-7. Wes's definition continued to be refined and he presently would define success as: engaged in work that gives satisfaction and a sense of significance, maintains a good name and reputation, has a rich personal relationship with his wife and family, and is habitually all-out for God.

Mark’s uppermost purpose: he wants us to see Jesus at work. “Look, What Jesus did proves who He was. What he wrought authenticates what He taught. The mighty works verify the starling words. Watch Him at work, and marvel at this supernatural Wonder-worker! That will convince you.” We are to look and marvel at the “mighty works”! Our mighty Savior in action.
From Chapter 8:31 the record of Mark shows that the cross is uppermost in our Lord’s mind, and repeatedly on Him lips. There are two vivid parts of Mark – the Mighty Works which He wrought and the TRAGIC ENIGMA of His rejection.
The KEY idea of Mark is that of our Lord as Jehovah’s Servant, the mighty Worker. The KEY verse is 10:45: “The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” The KEY word is “straightway”.
Chapter 10 32-52…To Jerusalem – the cross is in view
In 10:32-52 Jerusalem is the destination still and Jesus was leading the way. We must admire the courage of Jesus as He made His way to Calvary and we should adore Him all the more realizing what He did for you and for me!
These men still had much to learn about success as Jesus defined it for them. It means devoting ourselves to serving others, not to seeking high positions or great power. The Lord wants us to be fulfilled in our lives. Genuine success follows the humble service to others.
Jesus followers were bewildered and fearful – this was a difficult experience for them and not at all what they had planned or expected. Each time the Lord spoke of and reminded them of His death, they became more perplexed. In 8:31 and 9:31 He made the first two announcements. He had told them WHAT would happen, but now He told them WHERE His passion would take place…in the city of Jerusalem. They knew that His most stringent opposition resided there. The Jewish religious leaders despised Him. He is revealing the part that the Gentiles would play in His trial and death, and for the 4th time, He promised that He would rise again 9:9. He told His disciples the truth, but they were in no condition to understand it. He gave a vivid description of the things that would happen to Him. V. 34 - the ultimate in humiliation. The resurrection after 3 days depicted the defeat of suffering and death. Ultimately Jesus became victorious, but He walked the path of pain and struggle to achieve it.
James and John asked for thrones…special seating. Peter had responded to the first announcement by arguing with Jesus; after the 2nd announcement, the disciples responded by arguing among themselves over who the greatest was 9:30-34. They seemed blind to the meaning of the cross.
Salome and her 2 sons were claiming the promise Jesus had given that in the future kingdom the disciples would sit on 12 thrones with the Lord 19:28. And they had His Word to encourage them…but there was one seriously wrong thing about their request – their selfishness and desire for personal greatness. Their request exposed their shallow, shortsighted spirits. God does not answer selfish prayers James 4:3-4 If He does, it is to discipline us and teach us how to pray in His will. James, John and Salome did not realize that IT COSTS SOMETHING TO GET ANSWERS TO PRAYER. Jesus – to grant their request would have to suffer and die. His cost…their free thrones. Was there a motive to glorify God?
What Jesus faced: drinking of a cup and experiencing of a baptism…a devastating experience- and yet James and John said they were able to go through it with Jesus. Later they would know…martyred (James first) and John was persecuted.
Motivated by earthly wisdom, not heavenly wisdom, James and John made the others angry and brought disunity to the group. Why were the others unhappy – perhaps because they had failed to ask first? And again Jesus expressed what it means to be a meaningful person in the kingdom.
Wrong people to admire…the Roman rulers and not the Lord was their chosen example. The Roman leaders loved position and authority. To aspire to greatness is not necessarily wrong – but be assured, we must have the accurate definition of greatness and our motive for wanting to achieve it. 10:43-44.
The Lord addressed them knowing that they were thinking like everyone else in the world. Attempts to assume authority over other people conflicted with Jesus’ example of discipleship. Jesus called for leadership from the bottom up instead of from the top down.
God’s pattern is that a person must 1st be a servant before God promotes him to be a ruler. Unless we know how to obey orders, we do not have the right to give orders. Before exercising authority, we must know what it means to be under authority.
A large crowd of people had followed and they were at Jericho 10:46 –

There are 2 blind beggars sitting by the road…one of whom was named Bartimaeus. He was more vocal of the two. They heard that Jesus the Healer was passing by and they did their best to get His attention so that they might receive His merciful help and be healed.
The crowd tried to silence them, but when Jesus stopped and called them, the crowd encouraged them. Desperate people do not permit the crowd to keep them from Jesus. B. threw off his garment so it would not trip him, and he hastened to the Master. No doubt some of the pilgrims or disciples helped him. “What do you want Me to do for you?” - Jesus gave the opportunity to express himself and give evidence of his own faith. What did he really believe Jesus could do for him?
B. called him “Lord” – title Rabboni, meaning “my Master.” This was an expression of personal faith. Jesus was moved with compassion and touched their eyes and immediately they were healed. A marvelous revelation expressed in this last healing miracle: Jesus – God’s Suffering Servant - on His way to the cross, and yet He stops to serve 2 blind beggars! What love, what mercy, and what grace!