Mark 10:35-52
July 11, 2021
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
39 “We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
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.
Read Mark 10:35-40
What do you think is the difference between what Jesus meant in Verse 38 and what James and John were asking in Verse 37?
What does it say about James’ and John’s character in asking Jesus to sit at his left and right hand in His glory?
Looking back on Verse 31, how do you think this made Jesus feel when James and John asked to sit at his right and left hand?
Read Mark 10: 41-45
Why were the other disciples indignant? How would you have felt if you were one of the ten disciples?
Can you tell us about a time when you were under the worldly model of leadership. Then can you tell us about a time when you were under the servant leadership that Jesus describes. What were the differences between those experiences?
Read Mark 10: 46-52
In many of Jesus’ miracles, He instructs the person receiving the miracle to keep quiet. In this situation, why do you think that Jesus does not tell Bartimaeus to keep silent about his healing?
What did Bartimaeus do to put himself in a situation to be healed? What obstacles did he have to overcome to succeed? What do you think would have happened if he listened to the people trying to silence him?
What are some of the things that are trying to keep you quiet? Are they successful in their attempts to keep you quiet?
Who in your life has the boldness that Bartimaeus exemplifies? How has that affected you?
Consider Matthew 7:7-8. How do these verses relate to this passage?