*Mark 10:35-52
Jesus corrects his disciples’ ambition for power, then heals a blind man while demonstrating that true greatness comes through service.
- Request of James and John:
- James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approach Jesus privately, asking him to grant them seats of honor at his right and left in his glory.
- Jesus questions whether they can drink from the same cup of suffering he will endure, to which they affirm they can.
- Jesus’s Response:
- Jesus acknowledges that they will share in his sufferings but explains that granting these seats is not his decision, as these places have already been prepared by God.
- Reaction of the Other Disciples:
- The other ten disciples become indignant when they hear about James and John’s request.
- Lesson on True Greatness:
- Jesus gathers all the disciples and contrasts the worldly model of leadership, where rulers lord power over others, with his own model of servant leadership.
- He emphasizes that whoever wants to be great among them must become a servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the servant of all.
- Jesus uses himself as the ultimate example, stating that the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
- Healing of Blind Bartimaeus:
- As Jesus leaves Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind man named Bartimaeus calls out to him, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
- Though the crowd tries to quiet him, Bartimaeus cries out even louder.
- Jesus stops, calls Bartimaeus over, and asks what he wants.
- Bartimaeus requests to regain his sight, and Jesus tells him that his faith has healed him.
- Bartimaeus immediately receives his sight and follows Jesus along the road.
10:35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
10:36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 10:37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
10:38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 10:39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 10:40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.
10:41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.
10:42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
10:43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
10:46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.
10:47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
10:48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.
10:49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.
10:50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.
10:51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
10:52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.
And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.