Tag Archives: Mark

Sermons

Mark 10:37-45 – Bartimaeus – The Way of the Cross

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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

Sermons

Mark 9:30-37 – The Way of the Cross

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Last week, Josh preached through the first week of our new series, The Way of the Cross. During this series, we’re going to be couched right in the middle of Mark. By this point in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus has amassed this huge following. It’s hard to get away from the crowds. Jesus is officially a big deal. He’s cast out demons, he’s healed the sick, and he’s raised people from the dead. And even while doing all of that, He’s still found a way to make some people mad, specifically the religious leaders because He does things a little differently. He’s broken some traditions because in doing so, He was able to care for people better.

I think it’s good for us to think about these intimate teaching moments between Jesus and his disciples as a response from Jesus. A response to the wildfire of notoriety and intrigue that Jesus’ ministry has caused. In chapter 8, we see Peter rightly identify Jesus as the Messiah, and now we are seeing Jesus begin to teach his disciples about what that actually means. It’s not all crowds and fanfare. We’re heading to a crucifixion, not a coronation.

Last week, we read how Jesus plainly tells his disciples what’s going to happen. The Son of Man will suffer and be rejected by the religious establishment. He’ll be killed, and in three days, he will rise again. And we saw that the disciples didn’t get it, namely Peter, who pulls Jesus aside and rebukes him before Jesus tells him, “Get behind me, Satan.”

Jesus teaches his disciples what it truly means to follow Him:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”

Today, we see Jesus once again teaching his disciples. This is Mark chapter 9, verses 30-37:

30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.
33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Here we see in a couple different scenes, Jesus trying to get the message to his disciples that this is not about being the greatest, it’s about making yourself the least. It’s not about getting it all, its about giving it all.

To me, this is a story about Expectations.

Between the miracles, the crowds, and what they might expect from the Messiah, Jesus knows that these disciples’ expectations may be way out of whack. Sure, these disciples started following this guy Jesus, becoming friends with Jesus when He was this up-and-coming teacher, but things had changed.

These disciples started walking around with Jesus when He was just a teacher from Nazareth in the eyes of many, but things were different now. They weren’t just filling up houses anymore and hanging out in the synagogue but now they were drawing crowds big enough fill up a venue the size of Ascend Amphitheater downtown. Just a couple weeks before this moment between Jesus and his disciples, Jesus was just out teaching on a hill and 5,000 people showed up.

This may not connect for you, but this is true for a lot of folks and myself if I’m not careful: accolades can be intoxicating. Being the person drawing a crowd or simply being in proximity to the person drawing a crowd can be a point of pride.

And so these disciples – who were absolute nobodies before Jesus, just regular joes, fisherman, tax collectors, protesting rebels – now were best friends with the Messiah, which to them meant they were going to be best friends with the king. They had basically quit their jobs and left home to follow a teacher, but now they were going to be in charge. They might start to believe that because of this meteoric rise, they were going to have land and access and wealth.

Their expectations for what was coming needed adjusting. As a parent, I’m learning how important it is to manage expectations. There’s certain things that if I say them out loud I know that I better follow through with it. Like if I say we’re going to a grandparents house, I better not say it too far in advance, and it better actually happen because Wesley’s already excited about it. Same thing with donuts. If donuts are mentioned, donuts better be had. Every Friday, Wesley and I go to get donuts at Donut Palace, and so he’s begun to expect that when it’s just us two in the car, that’s what’s going to happen. When I picked him up from preschool on Thursday, his first sentence was: “Daddy, Donuts!”

Jesus is taking this time with his disciples to adjust their expectations, to orient them in the right direction, to let them know what’s coming. He’s already told them once, and it didn’t take. I think perhaps their expectations for what was to come were so different than what Jesus was telling them that they literally couldn’t understand what He was saying. Maybe you’ve experienced something so disorienting that you literally couldn’t understand what the person was telling you.

Jesus is saying, you want to follow me and that’s great, but here’s what that really means. It’s not going to be smooth sailing. People aren’t always going to be seeing me this way. They’re going to reject me and kill me because the Kingdom we’re building isn’t like the kingdoms you’re familiar with. Once again, they didn’t get it.

The text tells us: “they did not understand what He meant and they were afraid to ask him about it.” Of everything in this piece of Scripture, I think this may be the verse that I find most relevant to me. I don’t know if you’re like this, but it’s hard for me sometimes to admit that I don’t know what I’m doing and that I need help, even though needing help is a totally normal thing to experience.

I remember when my older brother was on the high school football team, and we’d go to all his games on Fridays. We’d drive all over the mid-state during football season. One time the game was at Marshall County High School in Lewisburg, but when we got there, the football field wasn’t at the high school, it was like a mile or two away or something. So we got to the high school and there was no football field. And there was no smartphones, and we were in the boonies so there wasn’t really cell phone service either. We drove around for like 30 minutes looking for the football field and couldn’t find it. We were lost. But my dad didn’t want to ask for directions… I don’t say this to shame my dad because I also have an aversion to asking strangers for help, and I would’ve done the same thing, but when I’m driving now I have a smartphone equipped with Google and a GPS and everywhere has cell service. Of course, eventually, my dad broke down and we asked somebody at a McDonalds how to get to the football field, and we got there in 5 minutes, but we missed the whole first quarter driving around aimlessly.

When I was growing up, I didn’t think it was ok to ask questions about my faith. If something didn’t make sense or I was having doubts, I didn’t feel like it was ok to say that out loud. But it’s so important to ask questions and for us to ask questions together. I’m thankful to be a part of a church community that I think believes its ok to ask questions even if we don’t always have answers.

So these disciples don’t get it, but they don’t ask any questions. And instead of asking questions as they walk along the road, they argue about which among them is the greatest, proving again that their expectations for how this is all going to go down are way off. They don’t understand. They’ve been told twice now by Jesus that we’re heading to rejection not acclamation. We’re heading to a crucifixion not a coronation. But their expectations are so far off that what Jesus is saying isn’t making sense to them.

They don’t tell Jesus what they were arguing about on the road, but I’m sure he knows because he sits them down and tells them that if they want to be great, they need to make themselves the least. If they want to be first, they need to be the very last, and he illustrates this point by picking up a small child in his arms. Jesus says, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

You want to be great? Then welcome a child. Help someone who can’t help you back. Look after someone who can’t look after themselves.

Time after time after time, Jesus teaches his disciples to do the opposite of what the world expects: You’ve heard it said an eye for an eye, but I’m telling you when someone strikes you on one cheek, turn the other to them also. When someone asks for your coat, give your shirt to them also. When someone wrongs you, don’t return that wrong, go to them and work it out. If you want to be first, be last.

Now, we know who is first. The person who, despite being God in human flesh, became the servant of all. Because Jesus put himself last, God elevated him to the highest place. At his name, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Because He put himself last.

Jesus knew he was heading to a crucifixion, not a coronation, and he went through with it anyway. And now, Jesus is inviting us to do the same. Serve others. And not just others who can pay you back, especially those who can’t pay you back. Take care of people who can’t take care of themselves. If we want to be a great church, we have to encourage each other to walk deeper and deeper into caring for our most vulnerable neighbors. To become great, we have to make ourselves least just like Jesus did.

Let’s be the greatest church. Let’s do that by actually doing the things that Jesus calls us to do. These are not pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking suggestions, Jesus is revealing to us a new way to live, a better way to live.


When we go to the Table each week, we remember Jesus, who invites us all to sit at his Table. Who are we inviting to our tables? Whose voices matter to us? For whom do we show concern? If we don’t answer these questions the way Jesus answers these questions, we’re missing the point just like Jesus’ disciples. If we only show kindness to those who can return the favor, if we only invite people to our tables who look like us, talk like us, and think like us, we’re missing the point. When we welcome the least, we welcome Jesus to our tables.

As we commune together this morning with God and each other, let our time together inspire us to embrace the teachings of Jesus in new ways, that we will go into our world more reflective of Jesus’ love than we were before.

September 15th, 2024

Watch here: https://youtu.be/9WvmZw6D4ns?si=DgrNscP35ptZ6uA1&t=1253