The book of Mark is attributed to John Mark, a young disciple who traveled with Paul and Barnabus. John Mark left them and Paul was so angry that it led to an argument with Barnabas causing them to separate and John Mark went with Barnabas. So how does his record end up as one of the Gospel records about Jesus? And a record that is concise and short compared to the other three records?

Many scholars think that John Mark’s record is actually taken from the writings of Peter who was with Jesus every step of the way. So, as my NT teacher said – read Mark, think Peter.

As you get into Mark 10 you discover that things are heating up for Jesus. There is a more open sense that Jesus is in danger of being killed and that the Chief Priest and elders are now openly talking about how they could remove Jesus and save their own political hides.

The disciples sense that a confrontation is arising. One that will bring Jesus finally into His Kingdom, rid Israel of Rome’s tyranny, and re-establish Israel as God’s chosen people who reside in the land given to them by God. The disciples are ready for a fight.

And Jesus has a question for the disciples, pick it up in Mark 10:32…

³² They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe, and the people following behind were overwhelmed with fear. Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus once more began to describe everything that was about to happen to him. ³³ “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man^[h] will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans.^[i] 34 They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.”

The scene is set, and while we do not know what specifically the disciples said to each other we get a glimpse into what a couple of them were thinking….

³⁵ Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.” ³⁶ “What is your request?” he asked.”

Some translations put it – What do you want me to do for you?

³⁷ They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

Here are those who have walked with Jesus and heard him teach and preach and heal… about service and love and sacrifice. And yet when given the question they think about power and position.

Not a bad commentary on the church of today specifically about Christian Nationalism. Not a word about the poor, the widow, and the orphans. No, just a desire to control the agenda, the policy and the power.

Jesus responds:

³⁸ But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?”

³⁹ “Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”

Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. ⁴⁰ But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

Of course we know, that the ones who would be on his left and on his right would be two thieves.

Jesus of course takes on the posture of these disciples. He calls out those who feel like they have position or power…

“⁴² So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. ⁴³ But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The question began, what do you want me to do for you? Or “what is your request?”

The disciples with Jesus are on the move, and they come to the city of Jericho – a city famous for it’s overthrow by the Hebrews coming into The Promised Land – and as they do they come across a blind man – Bartimaeus.

And knowing that Jesus was near – he called for Jesus and Jesus called him over.

⁵¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.”

There’s the question again – what do YOU want ME to do for you?

Now just imagine for a moment that the Messiah was asking you – what do you want me to do for you, what would you say? What would you think?

With the proliferation of gambling, especially lotteries, I am led to think many would ask for wealth. Of course if you or someone you love is in distress with a health issue you may want healing. And if your relationship was in trouble, or you couldn’t sleep for anxiety, maybe you would ask for peace. I suppose there’s a multitude of things one might ask for.

This man wanted to see! Of course – he’s blind.

Jesus tells the man that he is healed. A man from the edges of society, marginalized and desperate. Jesus brings him back into the mainstream of life.

In a few days from this scene, Jesus will be in Jerusalem heralded as the King, in conflict with the Chief Priest and elders, sequestered with his disciples for the Passover meal. Soon he will hang between the two thieves and one of them will say – remember me when you come into your Kingdom. Jesus will show that real healing comes from knowing that He is the suffering Saviour, the one who pays the price for any and all sin and that He has power over life and death.

What do you want Jesus to do for you?