August 27, 2023
Morning Service

Next week as we begin a new month, we will begin two new studies.  We will be in I Peter in the morning and begin the Book of Romans in the evening.   These are two of the most relevant books in our Bible that can help us in two ways in our walk with Jesus.  First, they have many practical points that we can put into practice right away.  Secondly, there is some very deep theology (for the lack of a better word) that we can use to build our foundation of faith that we stand on stronger.  Therefore, we get the best of both worlds, we can apply what we know to this moment making us better and also build upon our understanding that keeps us faithful in the long run.  We are investing in our here and now along with making our future brighter.  It is a win/win IF you invest.  Where these studies lead you depends solely upon you.  I hope to explain that to you through some scripture in the Gospel of Mark in which Jesus asks the same question to different people at different times.  Let me set some background first.

            Jesus’ earthly ministry is winding down.  In chapters 9 and 10 Jesus is teaching his disciples with a purpose knowing His time is short.  In chapter 8 He feeds the four thousand, heals a blind man and Chapter 9 begins with the transfiguration.  His teaching covers the attitude of servanthood that is needed, warnings about Hell, teaches on marriage and divorce, the importance of having childlike faith, the difficulty of riches, prophecy of His coming crucifixion, and what it takes to be great in the kingdom of God.  This bring us to our scripture today in Mark 10:46 where Jesus is leaving Jericho heading for what awaits Him in Jerusalem.  Imagine what is going through His mind in that moment.  I would be so focused on where I was going, I would have probably missed this moment all together; not Jesus.

Mar 10:46-48 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging.  (47)  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!"  (48)  Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!”

            Image the world Bartimaeus lives in.  Everyday someone would escort him to this spot just outside the city where he would listen intently for those passing by and then call out to them for a gift.  He did not live by sight, but his life revolved about what he could hear.  Today he heard something that would make this day different than any other.  He had no doubt heard of Jesus and the miracles he was doing and the rumors that perhaps He was the long awaited Messiah.  When he hears that Jesus is passing by he cries out to Him and even louder when they tell him to be quiet.  “Son of David, have mercy on me!”  A cry of desperation, but a cry of hope when mingled with faith.  He knew there was something better than the dark world he was living in and he believed Jesus could change that for him.  Are you in a dark place this morning in life?  Are you struggling yet know there is something better?  Cry out to Jesus, he will hear you.  Jesus, despite all that is on His mind, hears Bartimaeus’ cry.

 

Mar 10:49-51 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you."  (50)  And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.  (51)  So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?"

            It had to be obvious to Jesus that Bartimaeus was blind making his need easy to guess, but yet He asks him this question; “What do you want Me to do for you?”

            That is the exact question Jesus is asking you this morning.  “What do you want me to do for you?”  You may feel your need is obvious, but still Jesus asks you this question.  Why did you come to church today?  What goal did you have in mind as you came?  Was is it just habit or did you feel you were just choosing to do the right thing?  Or did you come with something in mind?  Did you come seeking something specific as Bartimaeus does.

 

Mar 10:51-52 So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight."  (52)  Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

            Bartimaeus believed fully that Jesus could open his eyes that he might see.  He knows he was in a bad place and truly believed Jesus offered him a better way of life.  Jesus recognized that faith in Him and granted his request but He first made him ask specifically for it.  Also notice the result of this miracle; he “followed Jesus on the road.”  Bartimaeus’ deepest request was not to see physically, but that his spiritual sight might be confirmed that Jesus indeed was the long awaited Messiah!  His request was motivated by a desire to be all that Jesus wanted him to be.  Let’s go back a few verses and there we will find Jesus teaching his disciples and they come to Him seeking with a different motivation than Bartimaeus.

 

Mar 10:35-37 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask."  (36)  And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?"  (37)  They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory."

            Can you see the different motivation here from the two brothers?  The disciples had all been discussing who would be the greatest among them and this led James and John to come to Jesus with this request.  Perhaps they wanted bragging rights among their peers or a sense of status, but either way the motivation behind this request was not pleasing to Jesus.  He would tell them that they really did not know what they were asking for.  They later learned He was right as their lives were filled with the trials they were unknowingly asking for.  The problem was really the same as Bartimaeus, they were blind.  Let’s go back a little farther again to a time following the feeding of the four thousand.  They had collected seven baskets of leftovers from the seven loaves of bread and a few small fishes they had started with.  After leaving Jesus discussed with them the danger of the leaven (teachings) of the Pharisees and the disciples thought he was reprimanding them for not bringing any food.  Jesus confronts them with the real problem:

 

 Mar 8:17-18 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened?  (18)  Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?

            “Don’t you get it; this is bigger than a loaf of bread that I am teaching you? How can you walk with Me and not see what this is all about?  Can you not see and understand what is happening here?”  The disciples were physically able to see, but spiritual blind to the lessons Jesus was teaching them.  They are a lot like us aren’t they?  When Jesus asks us “What do you want me to do for you?” we often answer as the disciples did not like Bartimaeus.  Do you know what you are after with Jesus?  Do you know what you really want?

            Let me ask you this?  If God said yes to all you asked Him for in your prayers this week, would the world be different?  Would you have won the lottery?  Would your loved ones outside the ark of safety be saved?  Would God be glorified or would your life just me made easier?  What are you seeking from Jesus?  Are you seeking “what’s in it for me?” or are we really desiring to follow closer with a better vision of all that God is doing around us?  Are we seeking our will, or His?

            What these two studies we are starting are offering is a chance to do just that; draw closer to God and open our spiritual eyes to all that He has done and is doing.  It won’t be the dynamic speaker that makes the change in you, but the stirring of the Holy Spirit in you that does that.  I am only asking for you to invest in your spiritual life by seizing this opportunity.  Do you find yourself stumbling in the darkness?  Come and let God’s Word shine a light on your path.  Jesus is asking you today; “What do you want me to do for you?”  How will you answer and what will be the result of your request?  I know for a fact that Jesus is “a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6) Do you believe that?  Then act upon it.

 

Heavenly Father, we come to You thirsty, thirsty for more of You.  Place within us this morning a thirst that can only be quenched by a closer walk with You through the study of Your Word.