Seeing Clearly: Ambition, Humility, and Healing (Mark 10:35-52)
Have you ever wanted to be great? Maybe not famous or powerful, but just noticed, appreciated, or given a special place? If so, you’re not alone. Even Jesus’ disciples felt that way.
In Mark 10:35–52, we read about two very different people who come to Jesus: two of His closest friends, and a blind man by the road. What they ask—and how Jesus responds—teaches us a lot about humility, faith, and what true greatness really looks like.
When James and John Asked for the Best Seats
As Jesus and His followers walked toward Jerusalem, James and John pulled Him aside. They had a big request.
“Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” (Mark 10:37)
In other words: “Jesus, when You become King, can we have the top spots?”
They weren’t trying to be mean—but they misunderstood what Jesus was really about. They thought He was heading to power and honor. But Jesus knew He was heading to the cross.
Jesus gently answered them:
“Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
They said yes, but they didn’t fully understand what that meant. Jesus told them they would face hard times, but sitting at His right or left wasn’t something He could promise. It was up to God.
When the other ten disciples heard what James and John had asked, they got angry. Maybe they were mad because they didn’t think of it first. Either way, Jesus saw they all needed a lesson.
Jesus Redefines What It Means to Be Great
Jesus gathered the disciples and said something they didn’t expect:
“Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant… For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Mark 10:43–45)
That must have surprised them. In their world, the most important people were the ones who had the most power. But Jesus said it’s the opposite in God’s kingdom. If you want to be great, serve others. If you want to lead, be humble. And Jesus wasn’t just saying it—He was living it. He came not to take, but to give. Not to be served, but to serve.
A Blind Man Sees What Others Can’t
As they left the city of Jericho, Jesus met someone very different from James and John—a blind man named Bartimaeus.
Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside, begging. When he heard that Jesus was passing by, he shouted:
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
People told him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder. He wasn’t asking for power—he was asking for help.
Jesus stopped.
He called Bartimaeus over and asked him a familiar question—the same one He had asked James and John:
“What do you want me to do for you?”
But Bartimaeus didn’t ask for honor or status. He simply said:
“I want to see.”
Jesus replied:
“Go, your faith has healed you.”
Immediately, Bartimaeus could see—and he followed Jesus down the road.
Two Requests, One Clear Message
Let’s look at the difference between these two stories:
| James & John | Bartimaeus |
|---|---|
| Asked for top positions | Asked for mercy |
| Wanted honor | Wanted healing |
| Misunderstood Jesus’ mission | Believed in Jesus’ power |
| Sought to be lifted up | Sought to see and follow |
Both came to Jesus. But one asked with pride, the other with faith. And Jesus responded with love to both—but lifted up the one who came in humility.
What We Can Learn
Here are a few simple lessons from this story:
-
Greatness comes through serving.
The most powerful person in God’s eyes isn’t the one in charge, but the one who helps others. -
Jesus cares about your heart.
Whether you’re asking for something big or small, Jesus sees why you’re asking—and He listens. -
Don’t let others keep you from Jesus.
Bartimaeus didn’t let the crowd stop him. He kept calling out—and Jesus heard him. -
Follow after Jesus.
Bartimaeus didn’t just get what he wanted and walk away. He followed Jesus, even though that road led to the cross.
Closing Thoughts
James, John, and Bartimaeus all had something in common—they wanted something from Jesus. But only one of them saw clearly who Jesus really was.
Sometimes, we want the wrong things. We look for recognition or rewards. But Jesus invites us to a better way—a way of humility, service, and faith.
So today, let’s ask Jesus not for status, but for sight. Let’s see Him more clearly, follow Him more closely, and serve others with joy.
Reflection Question:
When you talk to Jesus, are you asking for something to lift yourself up—or asking to follow Him more closely?
Mark 10:35-52 (WEB)
10:35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.”36 He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”37 They said to him, “Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left hand, in your glory.”38 But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”39 They said to him, “We are able.”Jesus said to them, “You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; 40 but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared.”41 When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant toward James and John.42 Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 Whoever of you wants to become first among you shall be bondservant of all. 45 For the Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”46 They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!”49 Jesus stood still and said, “Call him.”They called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!”50 He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.51 Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”The blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may see again.”52 Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the way.