Read Mark 10:35-52

One Question, Two Answers

James and John thought it was time to get in on the ground floor.

Supposing Jesus planned to restore Israel to her former glory, getting rid of the hated Romans once and for all, they approach Jesus. He asks, “What do you want me to do for you” (v. 36)? Jesus’ answer to their request to sit on His left and on His right, that is, become His chief deputies in the new government, is two fold. First, you have no idea what you are asking, and second, those jobs are not mine to give. In other words, no.

            Later, in Jericho, Jesus asks someone the same question, “What do you want me to do for you” (v. 51)? Blind Bartimaeus knew exactly what he desired. “Rabbi, I want to see,” he cried.

            “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you” (v. 52). In other words, yes.

            Same question, different answers. Why? Can we learn something about unanswered prayer here? When the answer to our request of the Lord is no, sometimes is it because we do not know what we are asking? Had James and John realized what Messiah’s kingdom was all about, perhaps they would not have made such a blatant grab for power.

If we were in a position to understand the whole dynamic at work in our situation, perhaps our request would be different.

Read Mark 10:13-31

Inside Out

Jesus turned His generation’s thinking inside out in two common areas, attitude toward children and attitude toward wealth.

In Jesus’ day, as in ours, people loved their children dearly. But as a group, children were not taken very seriously. “Don’t bother the teacher with your kids,” the disciples were telling the folks. “He’s busy preaching to adults” (v. 13).

Jesus disagreed. “I have time for them,” He said. “Besides,” He added, “if you want to see what genuine love of God is like, just look at the simple trust of a child.”

Trusting God as a little child trusts a loved adult was light from a new direction.

But the new approach did not stop there. Jesus does not say that the young man had to get rid of his riches because it is wrong to be rich. He says don’t make money the central issue in your life, putting it ahead of God.

The disciples, having been brought up in a tradition that taught that riches indicated God’s favor, ask the logical question: If a rich man can’t be saved, what hope is there for us poor folks (v. 26)?

Jesus then teaches what Christians have believed ever since. It’s not just money. It’s everything. Jesus comes first. Family, possessions, home—nothing must dethrone Him. And serving Him makes me willing to serve others.

Read Mark 9:14-29

Says Who?

 “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

            We all want to stand and cheer in support of the man who said those words. Who among us has not been there? We pray. We believe. We want that dear desire of our hearts. He prayed. He believed. More than anything on earth he wanted his son healed. Also like this loving father, we are gnawed by honest doubt, hideously aware of our own imperfect faith.

Who could have anything but sympathy for this distraught father and his poor demon-possessed son? We are delighted when Jesus sends the evil presence packing.

            We have learned that Jesus has power to deliver from demon possession. Should we look for other lessons? Can we learn anything about demons that is useful?

            Demons can possess young children (v. 21).

            Demon possession can mimic authentic medical conditions, in this case, speech and hearing problems, and epilepsy (v. 22).

Demons have nothing but harmful intentions toward those they inhabit (v. 22).

            Demons do not leave their victims gladly (v. 26).

            Demons obey Jesus, but not willingly (v. 26).

            Demons can be compelled to yield to the command of human beings, but only after prayer cover has been established, perhaps with fasting (v. 28, 29).

            People who are not close enough to the Lord to do anything about an evil spirit want to argue about it (v. 14).

Read Mark 9:1-13

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