GOD Morning! March 7 / Mark 10:32-52 / What’s In It for Me?

GOD Morning! March 7

Mark 10:32-52

What’s In It for Me?

Mark 10:32-52

³² They were on the way going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on in front of them; and they were bewildered and perplexed and greatly astonished, and those [who were still] following were seized with alarm and were afraid. And He took the Twelve [apostles] again and began to tell them what was about to happen to Him,

³³ [Saying], Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be turned over to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn and sentence Him to death and turn Him over to the Gentiles.

³⁴ And they will mock Him and spit on Him, and whip Him and put Him to death; but after three days He will rise again [from death].

³⁵ And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached Him and said to Him, Teacher, we desire You to do for us whatever we ask of You.

³⁶ And He replied to them, What do you desire Me to do for you?

³⁷ And they said to Him, Grant that we may sit, one at Your right hand and one at [Your] left hand, in Your glory (Your majesty and splendor).

Okay what??? Jesus is explaining to the disciples what He is about to endure – scribes and Pharisees mocking Him, spitting on Him, whipping Him, beating Him, leading to ultimate death and rising from the dead.

All they heard was the last part, obviously. And all they were concerned about was what was in it for them. Wow. Really?

They could have kept their embarrassing, self promoting thoughts to themselves. But even though Jesus was obviously troubled about His imminent hardships, they just had to say it.  

Then He asked them a hard question, but they couldn’t have been really listening; or they wouldn’t have said yes so quickly.

³⁸ But Jesus said to them, You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism [of affliction] with which I am baptized?

³⁹ And they replied to Him, We are able. And Jesus told them, The cup that I drink you will drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized,

They had no idea what He was even talking about!

This brings me to an interesting question I must ask myself.

Am I so focused on my selfish desires that I’m not even hearing Jesus speaking to me? I know what answer I want Him to give me. But many times He is talking, but I am not listening.

⁴⁰ But to sit at My right hand or at My left hand is not Mine to give; but [it will be given to those] for whom it is ordained and prepared.

⁴¹ And when the other ten [apostles] heard it, they began to be indignant with James and John.

And then in the middle of Jesus’ tumbling thoughts about the horrific trial that He was about to endure, a disagreement broke out.

We adults surely can act like children at times, can’t we???

⁴² But Jesus called them to [Him] and said to them, You know that those who are recognized as governing and are supposed to rule the Gentiles (the nations) lord it over them [ruling with absolute power, holding them in subjection], and their great men exercise authority and dominion over them.

⁴³ But this is not to be so among you; instead, whoever desires to be great among you must be your servant,

⁴⁴ And whoever wishes to be most important and first in rank among you must be slave of all.

Ahhhh… Finally His answer came.

So many times Jesus answers us, but ungh! We don’t like His answer. Who wants to be a slave of all? No one.

⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man came not to have service rendered to Him, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for (instead of) many.

The King of kings and the Lord of lords came to serve.

Moving on… I love these next verses! Sometimes I need to make a spectacle of myself! Jesus hears desperate cries! Who cares what people think! I need Jesus! And I need Him now!  

⁴⁶ Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, a son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside.

⁴⁷ And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, saying, Jesus, Son of David, have pity and mercy on me [now]!

⁴⁸ And many severely censured and reproved him, telling him to keep still, but he kept on shouting out all the more, You Son of David, have pity and mercy on me [now]!

⁴⁹ And Jesus stopped and said, Call him. And they called the blind man, telling him, Take courage! Get up! He is calling you.

⁵⁰ And throwing off his outer garment, he leaped up and came to Jesus.

⁵¹ And Jesus said to him, What do you want Me to do for you? And the blind man said to Him, Master, let me receive my sight.

⁵² And Jesus said to him, Go your way; your faith has healed you. And at once he received his sight and accompanied Jesus on the road.

What was the blind man’s next move when he was healed??? He walked with Jesus!!!

“Dear Jesus, first of all, thanks for revealing to me once again the truths in Your word. My first thought is always to be concerned about my own needs. But You are telling me to be a slave to all. What??? I don’t want to be a slave to all. And yet, that’s what you are all about. You even went to the cross. A criminal’s cross. And yet you had no sin. You are beyond belief. And yet I believe.

Also You give me amazing, real life examples of desperation. The yelling blind man was severely reproved but he kept yelling! And as a result, he was healed! And then he walked with You!

“Jesus! Have mercy on me!” should be my cry when I have a need in my life. I must cry out loudly! Without regard for what others may think of me.

Thank You Jesus for loving me! AMEN.”