Hope for the Blind | Mark 10:32-52

Introduction

Being dad to Luisa, Holly, and our newest addition (Javier) has taught me much about myself and much about my Heavenly Father. For instance, in discipling my children, I’ve realize that it requires repetition, patience, and the idea of an ongoing conversation about how we should be that goes beyond one instance of a wrong choice. Disciplining my kids is like one long conversation with many reminders of what I want them to know.

Similarly, we have witnessed in the Gospel of Mark a similar approach from our Lord Jesus. Specifically, looking at chapters 8-10. We have seen Jesus model, teach, remind, demonstrate patience, and teach the same thing over and over. In these three chapters, we have seen Jesus repeat the prophecy of his death and resurrection three times!

Each time his tells them about his death it is followed by a foolish response from the disciples. Like Peter rebuking Jesus (8:31-32), or we see them not understanding Jesus’ words and being afraid to ask him about it (9:32), or in our case, we see James and John more concerned about status than following Jesus’ example of humility and sacrifice.

In addition to the foolish response from the disciples, we also see Jesus go into a lesson on discipleship (8:34-38; 9:35-37; 10:42-45) after each mention of his death and resurrection.

These predictions of His death and resurrection, the inability for the disciples to see and understand what Jesus was saying to them, and the lessons on discipleship are sandwiched together by two miracles of healing a blind man. This is one big Markan Sandwich that begins in Mark 8:22 and ends at the end of chapter 10. If you remember from the other Sandwiches, these are intentional decisions made by the author inspired by the divine author to communicate a connection between the bread and the meat. In this case, we will see how the two men who are blind are alluding to the blindness of the disciples and we will also see the hope that lies in Jesus who gives hope to the blind.

Will you please pray with me as we begin.

1. The Model for Discipleship: Sacrifice (Mark 10:32-34)

We find Jesus on the road to Jerusalem where he knows he will be crucified. In just a series of phrases, Mark provides for us the setting, the scene, and the emotions present. They are on route to Jerusalem, where we as the readers know what awaits Jesus, and we know that Jesus Christ knows what awaits him there. We read that Jesus was walking ahead of them as if he were walking with determination knowing he would be sacrificed as atonement for Sin. Something about Jesus’ walk with determination instills some feelings on those who are following Him.

Do you see those descriptive words in verse 32?- “they were amazed” and they “were afraid”

It is unclear from the text whether there were two groups following Jesus. The twelve disciples and/or a larger group of followers, but what is clear is the sense those who were following Jesus had. There was something about Jesus’ walk brought about fear and amazement from His followers. This communicates to us a tone of seriousness in this passage.

When we look at Jesus’ mission of Salvation; it requires Sacrifice. We as God’s people are tasked to continue the mission of Jesus by proclaiming His death and resurrection to those who are lost. Jesus provides for us the model of discipleship by modeling for us the cost. Following Jesus implies sacrifice.

The idea of cost for following Jesus is all throughout the New Testament.

Mark 8:34 ESV

34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

One who reads the Bible cannot walk away with an understanding that following Christ is a “side business” that only gets our left over resources. Rather it is a conscience decision to follow Christ with all that we are. This means we may have to sacrifice our comforts, our time, and preferences. An amazing example of the sacrifice of following Jesus is Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Bonhoeffer was a German pastor and scholar who was active in the Nazi Resistance. This German pastor risked his life in a very real sense during a time of great turmoil and war. His resistance to the Nazis led to his imprisonment and eventually to his execution. When faced with bowing to the agenda of Hitler or bowing to His Lord Jesus Christ, He chose Christ, and this choice was costly.

Following Christ costs us as well. For those of us who were out in downtown Galena last Summer offering Gospel-centered prayers to the community, it was not something that this city welcomed with open arms, and when we were out there, we got all kinds of responses from people. From crazy looks to mocking remarks. Or consider the minefield of the workplace with the forward moving agenda of the LGBTQ+ movement. From reclassifying bathrooms to an ever increasing number of identities that requires employees to determine preferred pronouns. Navigating these situations requires wisdom, tact, love, and humility, while also being honest about our convictions. Not going with the stream of society is costly, but Christ models discipleship for us and He walked to Jerusalem with determination fully aware of the cost. He entered Passion week with clarity and love and humility, that led him to die for those who opposed Him so that mankind would have hope of eternal life through faith in Him.

As we approach Passion week both in our text, and in our lives, (next week) we begin to sense the seriousness of the upcoming event.

We then get to Jesus’ third prediction of his death to the disciples. This would be the third time Jesus gives this prediction, and this third prediction is the most descriptive. In this case we see the location of where the Son of man will be delivered, condemned, mocked, spit on, flogged, and killed. Jerusalem (where they are headed!) He then ends this prediction in the same manner he ended the previous two, with the promise that after three days Jesus would rise.

We will visit the topic of Christ’s death and resurrection when we get to Easter, but suffice to say that the model of discipleship as displayed and spoken by Jesus is one that us as followers of Christ must seek to emulate.

2. The Blindness of the Disciples: Self-seeking (Mark 10:35-40)

Contrasted with the example of discipleship by the Suffering Servant; Jesus. We have the blindness of the disciples.

Specifically we see James and John engage with Jesus and they don’t seemed concerned at all by Jesus’ words. Rather they are concerned about making sure that they have status. Read with me Mark 10:35–37

“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.””

Evidence of the blindness of the disciples

A couple of thoughts here concerning James and John. First, is the evidence of their blindness. We see this not only in their foolish response to Jesus’ prediction, which is so out of place. But we also see their foolishness in their address to Jesus as “Teacher.” We have seen in the Gospel of Mark how Jesus does not fit the model of a Rabbi, nor a Prophet. It must have been hard for the Jesus to hear his disciples address him as Teacher instead of seeing Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Like when a parent tells a child to not fight over toys with their siblings, but rather to share with one another, and the child turns around and tells the sibling, “Dad told me to tell you to give it to me!” That’s not really what you want them to do. Similarly, Jesus speaks to the Disciples and they turn around and do what they think they should do, not necessarily what Jesus has taught and modeled for them.

We also see their blindness in how they try to trap Jesus. Instead of coming forward with their request, they say, “we want you to do whatever we ask of you.” If they knew Jesus as Lord, they would not come before Him this way. He is Lord, and we are not. God does not operate this way, and what we will see is that Jesus does not fulfill their request.

Another aspect to this is how these brothers excluded Peter, who was a member of what we would call “the inner circle” for it was Peter, James, and John who went up alone with Jesus for the transfiguration. Here they exclude Peter and demonstrate their self-seeking agenda by approaching Jesus with this request.

A display of Jesus’ patience

As prideful and self-seeking James and John demonstrate to be here, Jesus’ response to them is just as surprising.

If this were the workplace, and you as a supervisor or manager saw this kind of toxic environment developing in the workplace, where people are undermining each other only seeking their own selfish interest, rather than working as a toward a common goal. I would expect you would have some words for your staff. It might even escalate to asking people to step down from their roles. If this were the workplace, it would not be surprising to see John and James lose their spots in the “inner circle.” But Jesus doesn’t respond that way. Instead he reasons with them. Look at Mark 10:38–40

“38 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?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.””

Jesus makes clear that the disciples don’t know what they are talking about. Jesus asks them a rhetorical question, which they didn’t take as rhetorical. You see the concept of a cup in the Old Testament very often is a symbol of God’s wrath. This makes more sense when we see Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane praying to the Father. Mark 14:36

Mark 14:36 ESV

36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

The cup that Jesus refers to in Mark 10 and then later in Mark 14 is in fact bearing the wrath of God fully. Obviously, James and John could not bear this cup as mere men. The same goes for the symbolism of baptism. Of dying and raising again.

Although Jesus does not grant them their request, they are granted something different. He tells them that they will drink of his cup and share in His baptism. What does this mean? It’s certainly not clear in the text, but when we see the writings of the Apostles, we can see what they later might have understood this statement as. It seems that Jesus is saying that they will share in His sufferings. Not in a redemptive manner, but in a “following Jesus” kind of way. James is believed to be the first Apostle to be martyred, and John endured many years of persecution and exile before his death.

Following Jesus is costly. I hear of people “trying out Christianity” to help them become better people. With Christ, you are either “in Christ” or you are not, there is no in between. Yet, we have hope Church. Our Lord is merciful and gracious, and he does not deal with us how we often deserve. Like with James and John, He is patient and gracious with us, and this is what gives us hope. To our gracious savior we cling to.

3. The Model Explained: Servanthood (Mark 10:41-45)

Mark tells us that the other disciples heard James and John speaking to Jesus and they become “indignant” some other Bible translations say, “greatly displeased.” Essentially, they were mad at James and John. This conflict between the disciples prompts Jesus, yet again, teach about discipleship, or more specifically in this case, about servanthood.

Jesus uses the situation and the topic of wanting to be great to explain the nature of true discipleship. In summary Jesus says, “to be great, you must be great servants of others.” Jesus teaches how His way does not look like the way of the pagans who want power and then lord it over others. The disciples are not to model this in their ministry, rather they are to take Jesus as their model. Jesus concludes His teaching by going back to his words on his death and resurrection. Jesus here explains why He must die.

Mark 10:45 “45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

When we hear the word “ransom” we should think “purchase.” That’s what Jesus did. He bought us out of slavery to Sin, into Eternal Life. Jesus here climaxes his lesson to the disciples by claiming that this is the whole reason He is here! If they are to follow Him, they need to know what they are following Him toward. Jesus modeled Servanthood by being obedient to the Father and His obedience was manifested in humility to the point of death. This is Pauls point in Phil 2:5-8 where Jesus is the prime example of humility and we as His followers are called to have the same mind of humility as Jesus.

But how? How are we to be humble like Christ, when our natural state is to be self-seeking.

As we read this portion of Scripture we might be inclined to either sit comfortably looking from the outside in, or to feel like we stand in Jesus’ corner when He address the disciples. The reality is that we are all like James and John. If given the opportunity our natural state is to find ways to better ourselves even at the cost of others. So how do we fight our natural tendency to be prideful?

First, let me offer you a practical suggestion. A way the Christian can grow in humility is by engaging in Worship. There are not many things in this world that can help us detach our affections from self toward God than Worship. Worship given to God because He is a majestic, loving, and kind God, is where we can learn true humility. When we continue to saturate our minds and soul with true thoughts of God and our standing before Him, and respond to Him in worship, we will understand and learn humility.

Second, and more importantly, we can pursue this kind of Servanthood that Christ modeled because of His enabling work in us. Ezekiel 36:26-27

Ezekiel 36:26–27 ESV

26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Without his intervention, without He giving us a New Heart by faith, as we saw in Family Bible Hour today, we will naturally see ourselves as the center of the universe. Some to lesser degrees than others, but this is what it means to be under the curse of Sin. To be under the curse of Sin is to be slaves to Sin as Paul explains through Romans 6.

Jesus frees us from slavery to Sin, and gives us new life, a new birth (John 3). Therefore, we cling to Him and follow Him by trusting in His work to sanctify us.

4. Hope for the Blind Disciple: Salvation (Mark 10:46-52)

This hope in Christ for Salvation is magnified when we read of the story of Jesus and Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus is Aramaic for “son of Timaeus.” Which Mark probably added for the Gentile reader to understand. Ironically, his name means, “son of Honor” which is he received anything but honor or respect from the crowd. This man which most probably ignored as a beggar may be the most joyous occasion we read in this whole passage.

Bartimaeus hears that Jesus is in town, although blind, he cries out of desperation, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” He cares-less that people around him rebuke him, He cries out louder toward Jesus.

Just a note about the unique way this man calls out to Jesus. In the Gospel of Mark, we have seen various titles for Jesus. We have seen Jesus called “the Son of God” we have also seen Jesus called, “the son of Man” which points us to Daniel 7. But for the first time in Mark we see the title, “son of David.” This title reflects Bartimaeus’ perception of Jesus as King and heir of David. Which is true and is a fulfillment ultimately of the Davidic Covenant made about 1000 years prior to Jesus. Yet, it is a limited title for it is not informed by the cross and resurrection that is to come.

You see, this man was not only physically blind, but He, like the disciples, only had some pieces of the puzzle, they still couldn’t see the whole picture.

Jesus speaks and says, “call him.”

Put yourself in Bartimaeus’ shoes. You are living in the margins of society because you are blind. You have heard of this Jesus from Nazareth who does amazing miracles, healing the sick, and even raising the dead. You think, if only that ever happened to me. That would change my life, I could see, and work, and travel. But what are the odds that Jesus would visit our town, and even slimmer the chances that He would notice me.

Then you hear that Jesus is in town. What do you have to lose!? NOTHING! You scream from the top of your lungs, “HAVE MERCY ON ME!” And then you hear someone come up to you, and say, Jesus wants to see you!

Your heart drops! Jesus wants to see me? He noticed me? He wants me to come to him?!

You approach and Jesus speaks to you and says, “what do you want me to do for you?” This is it! You don’t know how you got there but you ask for your sight, and Jesus grants it to you!

What a day! Jesus has restored his sight because he believed that Jesus could.

Bartimaeus walks away with vision, and we also gain some clarity on Jesus’ power and character.

First, notice the question Jesus asked him. It’s the same question he asks James and John, but the outcome of each of these questions were different. James and John were concerned with status and power, wanting to be seated with Jesus when he reigns (thinking of an earthly reign). Whereas the blind man made the humble request of his sight, and Jesus grants it to him. Jesus here demonstrating God’s character as seen in Psalm 51:17

Psalm 51:17 ESV

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Jesus, the God-man calls to the broken man and heals him.

Second, we view Jesus as the one who can give us spiritual sight, to our blindness. You see, it is God who has to intervene to save us, and He does! He saves! Like the two blind men seen in this Markan Sandwich, who Jesus heals. He is not only able to provide physical sight, but spiritual sight as well. In Him, there is hope for the blind. His Grace is an undeserving gift, but oh, how we need His grace and we praise God that like the desperate blind man, Jesus calls us to himself and grants us sight!

Conclusion

Church, this is the hope we have. That God intervened for us. I hope you have been able to see how God intervenes as we have been going through the story of the Bible in Family Bible Hour. We see God intervene after the fall, in calling Abraham, in calling Moses, in delivering Israel out of Egypt in calling Joshua and conquering the promised land, in calling David, and in sending His prophets to His people. He intervenes and we are at his mercy for if he did not intervene, we would be completely hopeless.

But Praise the Lord, that He has shown himself to us, and that He has called us, and has granted us sight for those who have placed their faith in Jesus.

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations (3833 Amazing Grace)

John Newton who was a former slave trader, and later became a Christian, and wrote the hymn “Amazing Grace.” As he thought upon Paul’s words: “By the grace of God I am what I am,” he said, “I am not what I ought to be. How imperfect and deficient I am! I am not what I wish to be. Though I am not what I ought to be, I can truly say that I am not what I once was—a slave to sin and Satan. I can heartily say with Paul: “By the grace of God I am what I am”!”

This man who lived such a sinful life running from his family, running from the law, and treating people in the slave trade in such a dishonorable way. He was saved by God’s grace. In his last years he went blind. It is only when you consider his story and his life, that you hear his heart for God in the words of this 200 year old hymn.

Would you join me in singing this old hymn. Let us stand and sing, and life our voices to our God who has granted us sight by his grace!

Amazing Grace

Verse 1

Amazing grace how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now am found

Was blind but now I see

Verse 2

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believe

Verse 3

Through many dangers toils and snares

I have already come

'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far

And grace will lead me home

Verse 4

When we've been there ten thousand years

Bright shining as the sun

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Than when we've first begun