What Jesus Did

"Be quiet!" many of the people yelled at [the blind man begging for mercy].
But he only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"


—Mark 10:48 NLT

Key Thought


While we are not told to be quiet as Jesus physically passes by us, peer pressure and social agendas antagonistic to faith can work to keep us away from Jesus. Sometimes, people who claim to be Christians but act dishonorably push us away from finding Jesus. Let's learn from the blind man not to give up...

 

Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

—Mark 10:46-47 NLT

Key Thought


So often we let pride and social convention keep us from asking God for what we most need from him and what he is often most willing to give us —...

 

[Jesus said,] "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."

—Mark 10:45 NLT

Key Thought


Here is the heart of our hero, Jesus, given in one simple statement. His words must be our legacy. His example must be the pattern for our lives. Jesus bought us out of Satan's grasp and brought us to freedom through the ransom price he paid. We are now called to follow his example and live his life in our world. We are...

 

So Jesus called [the disciples] together and said, "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.

—Mark 10:42-44 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus' followers have heard a different tune from him than the world hears. They have a...

 

When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked [about being given places of honor], they were indignant.

—Mark 10:41 NLT

Key Thought


Lest we think that James and John were selfish in their requests, we need to realize they were not alone. Envy and greed, the need for attention and honor, are beastly stumbling blocks to our humility and courage as followers of Jesus. Yes, we can be sickened and disheartened by self-avowed followers of Jesus who are...

 

... Then Jesus told [James and John], "You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen."

—Mark 10:39-40 NLT

Key Thought


God the Father holds some things in his hands alone. The Son, in his earthly ministry, did not decide the eternal importance or the heavenly place of his followers before their lives were...

 

But Jesus said to [James and John], "... Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?"
"Oh yes," they replied, "we are able!"

Then Jesus told them, "You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering."


—Mark 10:38-39 NLT

Key Thought


James and John both paid huge prices for their faith in Jesus. James was martyred early...

 

"What is your request?" [Jesus] asked.
[James and John] replied, "When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left."

But Jesus said to them, "You don't know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?"


—Mark 10:36-38 NLT

Key Thought


Before we overestimate...

 

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to [Jesus]. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do us a favor."
"What is your request?" he asked.

They replied, "When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left."


—Mark 10:35-37 NLT

Key Thought


Sometimes the Scriptures are just too honest. I'm being a little sarcastic ... but just a little. The people we see, even those who are...

 

"Listen," [Jesus] said, "we're going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans. They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again."

—Mark 10:33-34 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus knew what lay ahead. While he warned his followers, he was also emphasizing his own awareness of the horrible price...