DAY #71: March 12, 2009 - Mark 10:32-52

What is greatness in God's eyes? To lay our lives before Him who laid down His life for us! What would life be like if we let Jesus live through you and me?

Today, we begin to see and understand that Jesus devoted much of his final time on earth to two main objectives: to prepare the disciples for his own death and resurrection, and to prepare the disciples for life together without his physical presence. James and John’s special request provides another view of the disciples’ overall state of mind. They didn’t understand what Jesus was saying; instead, they were convinced that great events were about to occur. They were jostling for position. Greatness, as defined and illustrated by Jesus’ words and life, finds its clearest expression in service.

The disciples, like most Jews of that day, had the wrong idea of the Messiah’s Kingdom as predicted by the Old Testament prophets. They thought Jesus would establish an earthly kingdom that would free Israel from Rome’s oppression.

They understood that Jesus would have a Kingdom; they understood that Jesus would be glorified (they had seen the Transfiguration); and they approached him as loyal subjects to their king. However, they did not understand that Jesus’ Kingdom is not of this world; it is not centered in palaces and thrones, but in the hearts and lives of his followers. None of the disciples understood this truth until after Jesus’ resurrection.

Jesus responded to James and John that in making such a self-centered request, they did not know what they were asking. Jesus, then asked James and John if they were ready to suffer for the sake of the Kingdom.

James and John replied confidently to Jesus’ question. Their answer may not have revealed bravado or pride as much as it showed their willingness to follow Jesus whatever the cost. They said they were willing to face any trial for Christ. Jesus replied that they would indeed be called upon to drink from Jesus’ cup and be baptized with his baptism of suffering: James died as a martyr; John lived through many years of persecution before being forced to live the last years of his life in exile on the island of Patmos.

Jesus and the disciples arrived in the city of Jericho. The Old Testament city of Jericho had been destroyed by the Israelites. But during Herod the Great’s rule over Palestine, he had rebuilt the city as a site for his winter palace. Jericho was a popular and wealthy resort city, not far from the Jordan River. Jesus passed through the city, accompanied by his disciples and a great crowd. They came upon a blind beggar sitting by the roadside. Beggars often waited along the roads near cities, because that was where they were able to contact the most people.

The blind man could not see, but he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was at the head of the approaching crowd. Bartimaeus called Jesus Son of David because he, along with all Jews, knew that the Messiah would be a descendant of King David (Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5-6). This blind beggar could see that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, while so many who witnessed Jesus’ miracles were blind to his identity, refusing to open their eyes to the truth. Seeing with one’s eyes doesn’t guarantee seeing with the heart.

The crowd tried to get the man to be quiet. It was most natural for the people, even Jesus’ disciples, to attempt to shield Jesus from being harassed by beggars. But this only caused Bartimaeus to shout louder in an attempt to gain Jesus’ attention. And it worked. Although Jesus was concerned about the coming events in Jerusalem, he demonstrated what he had just told the disciples about service by stopping to care for the blind man. Blindness was considered a curse from God for sin, but Jesus refuted this idea when he told the people to call the man to him. Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

The result of Bartimaeus’s request was that he could see. His faith (evidenced in his persistence) had made him well. Bartimaeus then followed Jesus.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Lord, help me be a servant to all. Lord, help me to follow You wherever and however you lead. Teach me about persistence and never giving up.

Lord, I want to build Your Kingdom - not mine. My heart is to go where You call me to go and to pay whatever price You ask me to pay. And Lord, my heart is to never give up. I need Your power and Your strength today. Lord, I know You want to build a strong tower at COV. Give me the perseverance to keep build and battling as that time approaches. Raise up men and women of equal faith and persistence.

"With God's power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine." Ephesians 3:20 (NCV)