Aligning Our Desires with Christ's Redemptive Purpose

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning Desires with God's Will

Our desires often reveal the state of our hearts. In Mark 10, Jesus asks, "What do you want Me to do for you?" This question was posed to both James and John, who sought positions of glory, and to Bartimaeus, who sought mercy. The contrast between their requests highlights the importance of recognizing our true spiritual needs over worldly ambitions. James and John, despite their closeness to Jesus, were blinded by their ambitions, while Bartimaeus, in his blindness, saw his need for Jesus' mercy. This teaches us to examine our desires and align them with God's will, seeking spiritual fulfillment over temporal gains. [06:15]

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"

Reflection: What is one desire you have that may be more aligned with worldly ambition than with God's will? How can you begin to shift this desire towards seeking God's kingdom first?

Day 2: The Essence of the Gospel

The essence of the gospel is encapsulated in Jesus' life as a ransom for many. His substitutionary atonement is not just a theological concept but a profound truth addressing our deepest need for redemption and reconciliation with God. This act of sacrifice underscores that our greatest need is not material or temporal but spiritual. Jesus' life given as a ransom is the cornerstone of our faith, reminding us that true fulfillment comes from spiritual redemption rather than worldly success. [17:24]

1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV): "Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself seeking fulfillment in material or temporal things? How can you refocus on the spiritual redemption offered through Christ's sacrifice?

Day 3: Understanding Atonement

Understanding the atonement requires recognizing Jesus' sacrifice as more than an example of selflessness. The substitutionary atonement of Christ captures the full weight of biblical teaching and is essential for our faith. Throughout church history, various views of atonement have been discussed, but the substitutionary aspect is crucial as it addresses the reality of our sinfulness and the need for a savior. This understanding is vital for a robust faith that acknowledges the depth of Christ's sacrifice and the transformative power of the gospel. [23:15]

Isaiah 53:5-6 (ESV): "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

Reflection: How does understanding the substitutionary atonement of Christ change your perspective on sin and grace? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of this doctrine?

Day 4: Recognizing Our Spiritual Condition

Despite modern achievements, we must remember our frailty and need for Christ's righteousness. Our accomplishments can numb us to our true spiritual condition, leading us to forget our dependence on God. The sermon reminds us that our achievements cannot save us; only Christ's righteousness can. Recognizing our spiritual need is crucial for a genuine relationship with God, as it humbles us and draws us closer to His grace and mercy. [34:11]

Revelation 3:17-18 (ESV): "For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you rely on your own achievements rather than on Christ's righteousness? How can you cultivate a greater awareness of your spiritual need for Him?

Day 5: Proclaiming the Gospel

Proclaiming the gospel requires a proper understanding of humanity's condition and the nature of Christ's sacrifice. We must not shy away from the truth of our need for redemption and the transformative power of the gospel. This involves recognizing the depth of our sin and the magnitude of Christ's atonement. By embracing and proclaiming these truths, we can share the hope and redemption found in Christ with others, fulfilling our call to be His witnesses in the world. [37:02]

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

Reflection: How can you actively share the message of Christ's redemption with someone in your life this week? What specific steps can you take to be an ambassador for Christ in your community?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound question Jesus posed in Mark 10: "What do you want Me to do for you?" This question, asked both to His disciples James and John and to the blind beggar Bartimaeus, serves as a pivotal point in understanding our relationship with Christ. James and John, despite their close proximity to Jesus, were blinded by their ambitions, seeking positions of glory without understanding the true cost of discipleship. Their request was rooted in pretension, revealing a lack of comprehension of the sacrificial path Jesus was to take. In contrast, Bartimaeus, in his blindness, recognized his need for mercy and healing, demonstrating a faith that was commended by Jesus.

The heart of our discussion centered on the concept of Jesus as our ransom. This idea is not merely a theological construct but a profound truth that underscores the essence of the gospel. Jesus' life was given as a ransom, a substitutionary atonement for our sins. This act of sacrifice is the cornerstone of our faith, emphasizing that our deepest need is not for material or temporal gains but for spiritual redemption and reconciliation with God.

We also delved into the various views of atonement throughout church history, highlighting the importance of understanding Jesus' sacrifice as more than just an example of selflessness. The substitutionary atonement of Christ is essential, as it captures the full weight of biblical teaching and the reality of our sinfulness. It is a doctrine that must be upheld and proclaimed, despite cultural pressures to dilute its significance.

In conclusion, the question "What do you want Me to do for you?" challenges us to examine our desires and align them with the profound truth of Christ's redemptive work. It calls us to recognize our true need for His righteousness and to embrace the gospel's transformative power.

Key Takeaways

1. The question "What do you want Me to do for you?" reveals our heart's desires and challenges us to align them with God's will. James and John's request for glory contrasts with Bartimaeus' plea for mercy, highlighting the importance of recognizing our true spiritual needs. [06:15]
2. Jesus' life as a ransom underscores the essence of the gospel. His substitutionary atonement is not just a theological concept but a profound truth that addresses our deepest need for redemption and reconciliation with God. [17:24]
3. Understanding the atonement requires recognizing Jesus' sacrifice as more than an example of selflessness. The substitutionary atonement of Christ captures the full weight of biblical teaching and is essential for our faith. [23:15]
4. Our modern achievements can numb us to our true spiritual condition. Despite advancements, we must remember our frailty and need for Christ's righteousness, as our accomplishments cannot save us. [34:11]
5. Proclaiming the gospel requires a proper understanding of humanity's condition and the nature of Christ's sacrifice. We must not shy away from the truth of our need for redemption and the transformative power of the gospel. [37:02]
** [37:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:36] - Introduction and Prayer Request
[01:33] - Christ Our Ransom
[02:18] - The Request of James and John
[03:56] - Servant Leadership
[04:47] - Bartimaeus' Plea for Mercy
[06:15] - The Central Question
[07:12] - The Pretension of Ambition
[09:23] - The Cost of Discipleship
[10:54] - Bartimaeus' Faith
[12:01] - Misplaced Desires
[14:46] - Servant Leadership Revisited
[17:24] - The True Ransom
[18:14] - Views of the Atonement
[23:15] - Substitutionary Atonement
[28:26] - The Exodus Motif
[30:18] - Our True Need
[34:11] - Modern Numbness to Spiritual Need
[37:02] - Proclaiming the Gospel
[39:54] - Closing Prayer

Sermon Clips

"And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to Him and said to Him, 'Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.' And He said to them, 'What do you want me to do for you?' And they said to Him, 'Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.' Jesus said to them, 'You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?' And they said to Him, 'We are able.'" [00:02:35]

"'You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.'" [00:03:56]

"And when He heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, He began to cry out and say, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' And Jesus stopped and said, 'Call him.' And they called the blind man, saying to him, 'Take heart. Get up; He is calling you.' And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and he came to Jesus." [00:04:47]

"'What do you want me to do for you?' And the blind man said to him, 'Rabbi, let me recover my sight.' And Jesus said to him, 'Go your way; your faith has made you well.' And immediately he recovered his sight and followed Him on the way." [00:05:20]

"Be careful what you ask for, because 'you will drink the cup that I am to drink and this baptism by fire and judgment that I am about to undergo, you too will undergo.' Earlier we talked about being the church under the cross. Martin Luther said it very well, that we meet God at the cross and it's not where we expect Him to be." [00:09:23]

"And centuries later, that German Lutheran theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, said that Jesus came into this world and He offered Himself to this world and this world rejected Him and it pushed Him all the way out of the world and onto the cross. Be careful what you ask for, James and John, because a disciple is not above His master and there will come a time when 'you will drink of the cup that I am to drink.'" [00:09:30]

"And so, we have the Greeks and the Romans, and to them leadership means to lord it over those who are under their charge. These Caesars were as gods. Nero, the colossal ego of the first century, constructed a thirty-meter statue to himself called 'The Colossus,' and the moment he died they dismantled it block by block and they used the base to build a stadium that they called the Colosseum." [00:15:56]

"This was the example of leadership of the first century; to promote the self and to exalt the self and to lord it over one and to use others for one's own selfish ambitions and selfish promotion. And Jesus said, 'Not so among my disciples.' Whoever wishes to be a leader will have to follow a different path. Whoever wishes to be a leader will have to have a different agenda." [00:16:16]

"In the kingdom, those who are leaders will be servants, and so we have this remarkable text laying out for us servant leadership. And I in no wise mean to undermine or to downplay that, but that emphasis on servant leadership can cause us to just miss slightly the punchline. And the punchline comes in verse 45b—'and to give His life as a ransom.'" [00:17:24]

"And the early church, perhaps well-intentioned, but somewhat misguided, there was almost an exclusive emphasis on the atonement. And the understanding, the church's understanding of the atonement by what we call 'the ransom theory.' And the ransom theory is not an extra-biblical theory by any stretch. We find it here. I believe the verse in 1 Timothy 2 has been referenced numerous times that, 'That there is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who gave His life as a ransom for all.'" [00:18:14]

"It is the gospel of Jesus Christ. 'What do you want me to do for you?' 'Apart from You, I am dead. Grant me life. Apart from You, I am a sinner. Grant me forgiveness. Apart from You, I am unrighteous. Grant me righteousness.' I do not want to stand in judgment of James and John. I would have blown the question too. I appreciate blind Bartimaeus and I think there is a sincerity in what he is asking." [00:37:02]

"And as the text unfolds we see that Jesus honors the answer that Bartimaeus gave. But I'm still not convinced that those are the best answers to the question. That as we look at that question, we are pointed to what is there in verse 45, that Jesus is our ransom, and that is the only answer that we should give." [00:39:54]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?