Today, we’re wrapping up our series reading through this middle section of Mark. In this series, Jesus is getting his closest disciples ready to head to Jerusalem. He’s now told them on three separate occasions that things aren’t going to go like they might think. They’re not heading to a coronation, they’re heading to a crucifixion. Jesus has told them more and more plainly what’s going to happen. The religious leaders will reject him, he’ll be arrested, beaten, and die a painful death on the cross.

And throughout the chapters in which Jesus is telling his disciples this, we see the same theme popping up over and over again: the first shall be last. Jesus didn’t come to be served but to serve. If you want to be greatest, be the least. Care for people who can’t do anything for you. Sell what you have and give it to the poor. If you want to save your life, you have to lose it.

Today, we’ll see yet another example of the great reversal of the Kingdom of God and talk about what it means for us.
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Mark 10:46-52

46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Let’s imagine this scene for a moment, Jesus and his disciples are leaving the city of Jericho, they’re passing through the city gates. There’s a crowd around them, people excited to be following this Messianic figure to Jerusalem where they believe he’ll be crowned king. We know better, but they didn’t. And so this King Jesus is walking down the road with a huge crowd following him around and off to the side, there’s a blind man who starts hollering out to Jesus: “Son of David! Have mercy on me!”

Imagine you’re part of this large group. You have to think: There’s no chance we’re stopping all these people to talk with a beggar on the side of the road. Parade’s don’t stop because somebody in the crowd asks them to. You’ve seen the motorcade’s that our politicians role through the streets in. Those are not stopping.

But somehow in the midst of the crowd and the chatter, despite the people who see the beggar and are trying to shut him up, Jesus hears this beggar who’s calling out to him “Son of David! Have mercy on me!”

And Jesus says, “call him over here.” Jesus is willing to stop this whole thing to have a conversation with this beggar. Not a person who can get him free tickets or a promotion, just a blind beggar. And Jesus’ question is: “What do you want me to do for you?”

If you were reading this in Mark, this question would be familiar because just earlier in this same chapter, this is Jesus’ response to his disciples, James and John. Last week, we talked about how James and John came to Jesus and said, “Jesus, give us whatever we ask,” which is a bold way to bring a request to someone. Jesus responds with this same question: “What do you want me to do for you?” They asked for positions of honor in the new Kingdom that was coming. Jesus doesn’t honor their request to be placed at his right and his left, saying that’s not his request to grant. He goes on to explain to his disciples later that the true measure of greatness is not your position, it’s who you serve. Jesus hasn’t come to serve, but to be served.

And so Jesus’ disciples are hoping for places of honor in his Kingdom, and strangely enough, this beggar’s name means “son of honor.” “Timaeus,” his dad’s name means “honor” which means Bartimaeus means “son of honor.” We don’t always get the names of people in the Bible who only pop up one time, so when we do see it, it’s good for us to investigate that name. Why, in this case, did Mark choose to include this blind beggar’s name, Bartimaeus?

I think Mark included his name here because this is a story about honor. We have Bartimaeus on the side of the road calling out for mercy. His name means “son of honor,” and yet I’m sure he is used to being treated with dishonor. In fact, in the story we see this play out. He calls out to Jesus for mercy and everyone tells him to knock it off.

But Jesus breaks this trend of dishonor and stops, having his disciples call Bartimaeus over to him. He honors Bartimaeus by offering him His presence and wanting to hear his request. Jesus honors the person in the story who is dishonored.

And instead of just assuming what Bartimaeus might want or need, Jesus honors Bartimaeus by giving him agency, asking Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?”

I think we’d be missing out on something really important here if we didn’t mention the extreme irony of this situation. Though Bartimaeus is blind, he is the one who sees the need for his relationship to Jesus and places himself in the right posture towards Jesus as someone who needs mercy. He tells Jesus, “I want to see,” but Bartimaeus has identified Jesus better than those who have already been able to see Jesus.

Now let’s compare and contrast this story to the story we covered last week with James and John asking for places of honor in the Kingdom. We see Jesus initially respond the same way to both, asking “what do you want me to do for you?” I think a simple and quick thing we can takeaway from this is that Jesus wants to hear our requests, our real requests, not just ones like “can you make me a better husband?” but all of our requests because when we are honest with someone and tell them honestly about our wants, our hopes and dreams, we grow closer to that person.

Jesus wants to hear our requests.

Jesus’ question is the same, but he receives two very different requests from James & John and Bartimaeus. James & John are asking to be honored. Bartimaeus is asking for sight. James & John are asking for status and esteem. Bartimaeus is simply asking for mercy. And Jesus honors Bartimaeus’ request because God is merciful.

Jesus honors the request of Bartimaeus, a person who likely doesn’t receive honor as he sits by the road near the city gates, but this shouldn’t surprise us because this is the gospel. This is the message that we have been hearing Jesus teach his disciples for the last several weeks: the first shall be last.  If you want to be the greatest, become the least. If you want to find life, give up the life you have. Take care of those who can never pay you back. Welcome to the new kingdom, it’s backwards from the world we often live in.

And so I think a great way for us to reflect on this passage and on this series as we conclude it today, is to ask ourselves a couple questions. The first being, do we honor who Jesus honors? In this story, Jesus honors the blind beggar Bartimaeus by giving him his time, asking how he can help, and responding mercifully.

Who are we willing to connect with even when it is inconvenient? Who are we seeking out input from? Who are we extending mercy to? If the answer to these questions is only people who look like us, people who are of similar status as us, and people who can offer us the same kindness in return, I don’t think we’re doing it right. I don’t think we’re honoring who Jesus honors.

Jesus uplifted this blind man Bartimaeus even though no one would’ve batted an eye if he hadn’t. Jesus harped on the importance of showing kindness to children, even though they were often overlooked and dismissed. Jesus honored the value of all people as he headed to Jerusalem knowing he would die on the cross.  

Are we willing to do the same? Are we willing to care for the folks we pass on the street? Are we willing to be inconvenienced on someone’s behalf knowing they’ll never be able to repay that favor? Jesus says this is the way to life. I want to encourage you this morning, take up this cross and experience the good life that Jesus is calling us into. And please encourage me to do the same.

And finally, how do we answer Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?” James and John wanted honor, Bartimaeus wanted mercy. What do you want from Jesus? Be honest, God knows your heart. What do you want Jesus to do for you?

Maybe this morning, you need mercy. Maybe you need good news. Maybe you just need a break. Jesus welcomes you with all of your needs and requests.

Each week as we go to the Table, we remember that Jesus has already given us what we most needed: new life. We drink from the cup and eat this bread and remember that Jesus has given us the best gift, himself. We have already received this mercy that Bartimaeus was calling out for. Because of that, let’s remember to offer that same mercy, that same good news to those around us this morning and this week.

October 6th, 2024

Watch here: https://youtu.be/vQv5_4dtMP4?si=ns3w1iIhRBSUYsjr&t=1700