Bible ReadingMark 10:32–52 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “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?” “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, 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.”
When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 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. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 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.”
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. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
[25:27]Mark 8:31–33 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
[26:50]Mark 9:30–37 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 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.” But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.
They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “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.”
[27:01]Observation questions- What details show that Jesus knew what was waiting for him in Jerusalem, and how did the disciples and others respond as they traveled with him? [27:45]
- Compare the two answers to Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?” What did James and John ask for, and what did Bartimaeus ask for? [44:29]
- What does the crowd do when Bartimaeus first cries out, and how does their response change after Jesus tells them to call him? [40:20]
- What actions does Bartimaeus take after Jesus calls him and after Jesus gives him sight? What might those actions show about his response to Jesus? [51:23]
Interpretation questions- Jesus speaks plainly about rejection, suffering, death, and resurrection, yet James and John ask for positions of honor. What does their request reveal about what they expected Jesus’ kingdom to be like? [34:21]
- Jesus says that the one who wants to be great must become a servant, and the one who wants to be first must be slave of all. How does Jesus’ own life and death explain what this kind of greatness looks like? [32:36]
- Bartimaeus calls Jesus “Son of David” and asks for mercy, while the disciples continue to seek status. In what ways does Bartimaeus show clearer spiritual sight than those who had traveled closely with Jesus? [46:53]
- Bartimaeus follows Jesus “along the road,” the road that leads toward Jerusalem and the cross. Why is following Jesus after receiving his mercy an important part of faith, rather than simply receiving help and returning to an old way of life? [44:54]
Application questions- If Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” what would be the most honest answer from your heart right now? Is there any way your requests have sounded more like James and John demanding a place of honor than Bartimaeus asking for mercy? [52:01]
- Where do you most feel the pull toward being recognized, being first, getting credit, or having control—at home, work, church, or among friends? What could choosing the posture of a servant look like in one specific situation this week? [36:41]
- A servant can often be recognized by how they respond when they are treated like one. How do you normally respond when your effort goes unnoticed, someone gives you an unpleasant task, or another person receives the credit you wanted? [37:46]
- Bartimaeus threw aside his cloak when Jesus called him. Is there something that feels like security, comfort, control, reputation, money, a habit, or a possession that may be keeping you from freely following Jesus? What would it look like to loosen your grip on it? [49:13]
- The crowd saw Bartimaeus as an interruption, but Jesus stopped for him. Who might be easy for you to overlook because they seem inconvenient, needy, different, or unable to offer anything in return? How could you make room to see and serve that person with Christlike care? [40:02]
- Bartimaeus did not stop following Jesus once his need was met. Think of a time when you prayed urgently, received God’s help, and then slowly drifted back into self-reliance. What practice could help you continue following Jesus after the immediate crisis has passed? [43:21]
- Jesus calls his people to follow him on the way of the cross, not merely on a path toward personal comfort or glory. Where might Jesus be inviting you to accept inconvenience, sacrifice, or the last place so that someone else can be loved and God can be honored? [54:49]
