Mark begins the section with a curious observation: The crowd was afraid.

What was the crowd afraid of? At least two things come immediately to mind. First is the
message and person of Jesus Himself. His message is full of conviction, inspiration, and compelling application of Old Testament truth. But, given the antagonism of the Jewish rulers, it is a message filled with risk, from the people's point of view. At any time, he and his followers could be expelled from the community. And, that would spell economic doom as well.

But, there is another equally compelling reason for fear: The Roman empire. The relationship between the Jewish people and the occupier, Rome, was not an easy one. And, Jesus, could be viewed by Rome as a threat.

In the midst of the people's fear, Mark says, Jesus is resolute and focused. The passage itself is clear, He understands that the time of His fulfillment, the cross, has arrived. And, He has his face resolutely set on Jerusalem. An additional fear for the people, for who could predict what would happen.

But Jesus understands that the cross is the plan of God and has much more to it than the people realize.

Immediately Mark records a contradictory experience between James, John and Jesus. Appearently having just experienced Jesus' pronouncement of the death awaiting Him in Jerusalem they make an arrogant request: the right and left positions to Jesus in His kingdom.

How did they miss the previous message about the cross?

But Jesus takes advantage of the situation and uses it to teach them about God's sovereignty over one's place and position.

As one might expect, the rest of the disciples are jealous. Why?
Because James and John desired the positions that some or all of them may have wanted.

What does Jesus use to teach them how distorted their request actually is? First, the difference of leadership in his kingdom: "not so among you." If you want leadership in my kingdom, you take on the role of servant (diakonos) and slave (doulos).

Second, his own model of leadership. If you want position in my kingdom, become like me, giving yourselves in exchange for others.

The final picture of this passage is Jesus dealing with a blind man, Bartemeus

The most striking thing to me about Bartemeus is that he is full of persistent, unreasonable expectation. Mark records the following thoughts in his account:
Blessed
Received
Healed
Friend
New life
Follower

One is left to wonder: Where is his family? What are his ongoing commitments? How long did he accompany Jesus?
What was the rest of his life like?

A few things strike my mind as this passage tightens itself down to a focus on just one man.

The focal point of life for the believer is necessarily targeted upon people like Bartemeus. People who are persistent and have an unreasonable expectation.

Bonhoeffer comments of Jesus and the disciples, "Their commission is not a heroic struggle, a financial pursuit of a grand idea or a good cause. That is why they stay only where the Word stays, and if it is rejected they will be rejected with it, and shake off the dust from their feet as a sign of the curse which awaits that place." (The Cost of Discipleship, 234)

We have crossed a dangereous line of near indulgent evangelism of people who, relatively speaking, have had multiple offers. We hear, "he really liked the music!" "I think he might come again!" Or, worse, church campaigns to fill the seats.

It seems to me that more people just like Bartemeus, ought to rise into our minds and actions because they have a self-recognized need. And, they believe God has an answer! They are not just "mind seekers.'

As churches responsible to live and declare the Gospel, the final outcome of our thinking and planning ought to result in finding these people.

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