Surrender and Trust
This week we covered Part 2 (8:22-10:52) of the book of Mark in our Repairing Jesus series. Mark is intentional in what he includes in his gospel writings. In the message on Sunday we looked at a pattern that unfolds three very specific times in these chapters:
- Jesus predicts His death
- The disciples miss the point completely (like, pretty badly!)
- Jesus corrects them and then reveals the nature of the Kingdom.
We also see Part 2 book-ended by two stories of Jesus healing the blind. Why does Mark do this? Why is this section so important?
It’s clear that the disciples struggle and uncertainty is growing in this section. Jesus is frequently revealing Himself to them (and what He’s come to do) and calling them into a deeper level of trust and surrender. In the beginning of the book of Mark we see Jesus say “follow me”, and now it seems that isn’t enough. “Enough” in that, true intimacy with Jesus is more than getting a membership and all the perks that come along with it (casting out demons, healing the sick, etc). It’s a decision to deny ourselves and the ways of the world and allow the nature of the Kingdom to permeate every area of our lives: self-denial, sacrifice and surrender.
In Mark 10: 35-37, right after Jesus predicts His death for the third time, James and John say to Jesus “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” Jesus replies with “what do you want me to do for you?” and they (absurdly!) respond by saying they want to be seated at the right and left hand of Jesus in Glory. WOW. Talk about missing the point! They were so concerned with their own advancement and power they completely missed Jesus’ teachings that the last shall be first and that He has come to serve and so must His disciples.
In the last story in chapter 10 where Jesus heals the blind man, Jesus asks the same question to Bartimaeus as He did to James and John, “what do you want me to do for you?”. Bartimaeus replies with, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
Part 2 of the book of Mark is bookended with the healings of the blind as a metaphor about the disciple’s hearts. Will they allow their hearts to be hardened (like the Pharisees), or will their trust in Jesus rise above all of their doubt and uncertainty? Will they pursue deeper intimacy with Jesus and allow the nature of the Kingdom to permeate their lives completely? Or will they continue to be blinded by the ways of the world?
Jesus so graciously asks both to James and John, and blind Bartimaeus, “what do you want me to do for you?” James and John reply with the way of the world; proud and self-serving. Bartimaeus’ reply acknowledges his situation humbly and invites Jesus to do the work that only He can do.
May Jesus gently and graciously reveal to us the blindspots in our lives this week and may we respond with deep and genuine surrender and trust!
Pastor Laura