Greatness and Great Mercy

Mark 10:35-52 

Greatness Is Serving

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask."

36 And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?"

37 They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory."

38 But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?"

39 They said to Him, "We are able."

So Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared."

41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 

42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.
Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you."

50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

51 So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight."

52 Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

Here Jesus described greatness and great mercy.  James and John wanted positions of authority to rule with Jesus and the Lord told them that was already decided by the Father who would rule.  They were given the example to serve others instead of seeking to rule over them (1 Peter 5:2-3) in light of suffering like Jesus and giving up all rights (Philippians 2:5-7) to proclaim the gospel to save others.  True greatness therefore is in humble service as a slave to others in a sense.  Even Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, did not seek to be served but to serve others for their good and the glory of the Father.  He gave up those rights as a man to buy back sinners from the consequences of sin, namely God’s wrath as the just sentence earned by us as cosmic criminals set against God and His worship by obedience to all He gives us for life and godliness.  No sin is too egregious that He cannot or will not forgive and make us clean.  Not adultery, homosexuality, murder, stealing, or anything else contrary to the scriptures; He died to serve us with grace and not punishment if we turn from sin to Him in confession and repentance by faith in his work on our behalf as our suffering servant.  It is difficult to desire suffering and easy to desire power and authority, but the necessary thing was dem and taught here by our Lord to follow His example.  This great mercy was then demonstrated once more as Jesus heard and healed the blind man Bartimaeus who was begging for this mercy for healing of body and soul.  His faith in the ability of the Lord brought complete healing of both these parts of him and he who was once blind now could see just as the familiar hymn reminds us for the life of Bunyan.  Such amazing grace leads us to follow Jesus as well because of His great mercy that we might seek to be servants and not to be served and exercise authority over others that is God’s alone.  It is hard to be humble but essential for the gospel and the kingdom of heaven.  Let us pray and ask for that instead of power or position.  Remember the example of the Lord to find greatness in serving and showing mercy that others may be made whole in body and soul through the preaching of the gospel of truth and grace.