Can you see yet? - mark 10:32-52

Removing Blindness... Today's passage marks the end of the second section of Mark's Gospel (8:22-10:52). In this second section, Jesus has been attempting to remove the spiritual blindness of His disciples by teaching them what it means for Him to be the Christ and what it means for them to be His disciples. Three times He has taught them that He must soon die and rise again and after each of these predictions the disciples have been too consumed with their own vain hopes of earthly glory to realize the significance of Jesus' death or to embrace their own call to humble service, suffering, and sacrifice. This spiritual blindness is probably the reason that the section both begins and ends with stories about Jesus healing the blind.

Two Important Lessons about Jesus' Kingdom... After Jesus predicts His own death a third time, James and John respond by asking to have the seats of highest honor in His kingdom. The other ten disciples are angry and jealous that they would ask for such a thing. Jesus responds to their squabble by teaching them that they must not be like those who clamor for power and throw their weight around. He says, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (vs. 45). This one sentence gives the disciples and us a clear picture of what Jesus' Kingdom is all about. First, It is a kingdom in which Jesus has set an example for all who bear His name that we must be humble servants. Second, it is a kingdom in which Jesus gave His life as a ransom for many. In other words, He allowed Himself to be murdered in order to rescue us from our sin and it's consequences.

*Questions for Reflection:

1. The disciples' hopes for earthly glory blinded them to their true calling to be humble servants. How are you like the disciples? what blinds you?

2. It is undeniable that Christians are called to deny themselves and become the servants of everyone. How do you need to embrace this calling in your life?

3. What does it mean that Jesus gave His life as a ransom? Has your life been ransomed?