Mark’s Gospel Take Heart Mark 10:35-52 http://www.doctorjesus.org/images/2008-03-16hosp03.jpg

Geographical context: They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem. … Geographical context: They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem. …. They came to Jericho. (Mark 10:32, 46) “Jericho is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth. It lies 840 feet below sea level, some twenty torturous miles and 3,500 feet below Jerusalem.” (Edwards, 329) So, UP is exactly the right word.

The last part of Mark 10 gives us two scenes from this upward journey to contemplate. They each revolve around the same question from Jesus: “What do you want me to do for you?” As you listen, try to notice all of the different players in each scene. Anyone you particularly relate to?

Mark 10:35-36 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” (In Matthew, it is their mother who asks this favor of Jesus)

Mark 10:38, 43-44 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking.” … Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.

Mark 10:46-52 As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Such an interesting cast of characters! James and John Jesus The Other 10 A large crowd The discouragers The encouragers Bartimaeus The way-travelers

James and John. John and James. Sons of Zebedee. Sons of Thunder James and John. John and James. Sons of Zebedee. Sons of Thunder. (Maybe they shd be their own sermon series??) They witnessed the Transfiguration, and are invited to pray with Christ in the Garden. They are close to Jesus. And Jesus is close to Jerusalem! Time is short, and they are still struggling to understand.

How patient Jesus is! The best possible news in this story is that he does not react to their ridiculous request: “We want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” What a ridiculous thing to say to JESUS! Why didn’t he FIRE THEM as disciples?? They want to set the agenda??

Which is what I think for quite a while as I work on this sermon Which is what I think for quite a while as I work on this sermon. Until I don’t. The gentle, polite, loving, but very clear voice of the Spirit says to me: Isn’t this exactly how you pray at times??? “Actually, Jesus, I just want you to do what I ask. Here’s my plan, please implement at your earliest possible convenience.”

It is such good news that Jesus answers our prayers the way he answered this prayer of James and John: You do not know what you are asking. Choose to serve. Keep walking.

The Other 10: v. 42: ‘When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said…” Choose to serve. Keep walking.

A large crowd (Jesus traveled with more than the 12 on a regular basis A large crowd (Jesus traveled with more than the 12 on a regular basis. Remember the women!) The discouragers: “Many sternly ordered Bartimaeus to keep quiet.” The encouragers: “Take heart! Get up! He is calling you!” ALWAYS be an encourager.

Bartimaeus Blind Beggar Bystander/by-sitter Is he here by choice or by chance? Has he come here to find Jesus? Or is this his regular street corner? “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

This is the one fail-safe prayer. Have mercy on me This is the one fail-safe prayer. Have mercy on me. There is not a single instance in the Gospels when Jesus fails to have mercy on those who ask. It does not always come in the way they ask, but Jesus is ALWAYS merciful.

We might as well make this our regular prayer for just about anything We might as well make this our regular prayer for just about anything! God have mercy on me. God have mercy on ______________. When we get too much more specific, we might well hear the voice of Jesus saying: You do not know what you are asking.

Pray for mercy Always be an encourager Pray for mercy Always be an encourager. It is always right to say to anyone: “Take heart! Get up! Jesus is calling you!” Choose to serve. Keep walking.