Here we have two incidents where one question is given
The same question but to two different people
James & John vs blind Bartimaeus
James & John
There is pride in their heart
They feel they should have a higher position that the other ten
There is pride in their hearts when Jesus asks if they can go through His suffering
We see the desire for position
Blind Bartimaeus
Not a follower of Jesus
He comes with humility, he asks for mercy
He knows he is a sinner
He is insistent in crying out
James and John should not have come like this
Jesus had already rebuked them for arguing between themselves
Bartimaeus who had never heard of Jesus came with humility
In Context
Jesus is on the road to Jerusalem, steadfastly set His face
Jesus is marking out the path for His disciples
The disciples were amazed and afraid
He explained the passion of His heart
The Passion of Jesus
He has come to die for the sins of many
He knew He would be betrayed by the chief priests and scribes
He knew He would be scorned, mocked and spat upon
The Patience of Jesus
The audacity of James & John to make such a request - 'grant us whatever we want'
Matthew's Gospel tells us that their mother was involved
She was ambitious for them
Jesus doesn't rebuke them, but asks 'what do you want me to do?'
We may think we would never ask such a question as this
At times though our attitude betrays exactly that
Jesus says we should be a slave to all
When we really think about it we discover that we are like James & John
Maybe friends or family encourages our self-interest like the mother of James & John
James & John did believe Jesus but were also selfish
They had faith and self-interest
This is often the case with us
Jesus' response is very patient
The disciples response was that they were greatly displeased (v41)
All Christians are called to suffer
There is great joy and hope at conversion
However, it is not always plain sailing
There will be persecution, oppression and attacks of the Devil
1 Thess 3:3-4 "...that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know."
The disciples were persecuted
Sometimes we think we able to go through the suffering or trial
Jesus says that we cannot
We look to Jesus to supply the grace and strength we need
There will be opposition to Christian leaders
The 10 disciples
Had already been bickering and disputing over who had been the greatest (9:34)
Have we not at times exhibited the same attitude?
Jesus highlights the attitude of leaders
The disciples had already seen a Herod or Pilate
Think about our government and the way they act
If we want to lead we must serve
In the church of Jesus Christ the loudest voice should not prevail
On the contrary the first shall be last
Those who wish to serve should go the second
mile
"Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve" (10:45)
Jesus has come to die for sinners
If I the Son of Man have come to serve in this way, you must follow Me
The Pity of Jesus
Bartimaeus
Maybe his father was a somebody
The son was a nobody because of this blindness - as was the culture of the day
He could not see Jesus (not until he had his sight restored)
He knows he is a sinner - he is calling for mercy
He knows that Jesus is the Messiah - he calls Him the 'Son of David'
So few people saw this
Jesus had time for Bartimaeus, even though He was on the way to the cross
The people encouraged him: "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you." (10:49b)
We need to pray for those in our society to call out to Jesus
As Christians we need to encourage people to Jesus
Bartimaeus refers to Jesus as 'Rabboni' meaning 'Great One'
