Mark on following Jesus

There is a deep mine with the richest of ore in Mark Chapter 10.  It is like a precious metal mine that yields surprises with every shovel load.  It is a remarkable chapter. I thank a Senior Minister’s regular Sunday morning radio broadcast on Sydney’s HopeFM for drawing me to the chapter. I thank another clergy for encouraging me to contemplate the chapter’s full depths.

 

Here is why the chapter is remarkable:

 

It contains a comprehensive essay on following Jesus.

 

It presents Mark as an authority on the subject.  It is a divinely inspired summation of all angles on the subject of following Jesus.  Verse 17 commences with the rich young man who cannot give up what he needs to give up to follow Jesus and the chapter ends with Bartimaeus – a blind man who casts away all that he has to follow Jesus.  In to the middle of these comparative examples Mark masterfully identifies how the Apostles do not quite understand the cost of following Jesus (for there is a cost and the Apostles were yet to understand that cost).

 

To expand on the characters of each part:

 

1. Mark 10:17 to 22: The rich young man desires eternal life.  He identifies his path to eternal life as one in keeping with the law. The rich young man wants to clutch hold of Jesus while firmly holding onto all the world has to offer.  Jesus makes him understand that he cannot hope to have both the world and Christ,

 

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Mark 10:17 NIV

 

1. Mark 10:23-29: Peter expresses that the Apostles have left everything to follow Jesus and receives a response from Jesus that indicates that much is to be gained by turning their face fully towards the kingdom.

 

Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!” Mark 10:28 NIV

 

1. Mark 10:35-40: Two Apostles (James and John) want much, yet do not understand what they are asking for, nor the cost of what they ask for.  Jesus gives them to understand that their comprehension is not yet complete nor is their obligation fully known to them.

 

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said Mark 10:38 NIV

 

1. Mark 10: 41-45: The other ten Apostles while indignant with James and John are given to understand servant leadership.  To follow, they must become “slave of all”,

 

and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. Mark 10:44 NIV

 

1. Mark 10: 46-52: Bartimaeus freely abandons all that he has (a cloak) to follow Jesus.

 

Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Mark 10:52 NIV

 

Mark is identifying that there is a spectrum to the concept of following Jesus.  To follow Jesus on your own terms (rich young man) is impossible.  To follow Jesus freely and in faith is possible (Bartimaeus).

 

In the middle of the spectrum are the Apostles who Jesus has tasked for something that they do not yet understand. They need to allow comprehension to come to them. Jesus loves them such that he will allow them to understand through progressive revelation through to the cross, the resurrection and Pentecost.  Jesus is conditioning the Apostles.  He is refining their understanding.  He is shaping them for leadership after he ascended.  The word of Jesus to the Apostles here in Mark 10 perhaps did not resonate with the Apostles until when they were alone.

 

Bartimaeus is the best representative of us.  We are blind before God.  Our possessions are little more than a cloak. The response of Bartimaeus should be our response.  Indeed, Mark uses the chapter to powerfully bring this point home.  Earlier in Mark10:13-16 people bring children to Jesus and Jesus warmly receives the children.  For it is those who are innocent that receive the kingdom of God.

 

Mark’s magnificent essay on following Jesus is important not only for illuminating the spectrum but also in identifying that the love of Jesus is available to all:

 

1. For the rich young man: “Jesus loved him and had compassion on him”

 

And, explained to the rich young man that he didn’t care for the man’s toys.

 

1. For the Apostles: Jesus gently re-directed them rather that chiding them

 

And, explained that they did not yet understand either the cost of following or the reward of following.

 

1. For Bartimaeus: when others were trying to distract Bartimeaus away, Jesus healed him.

 

And, received Bartimeaus that Bartimaeus would follow him.

 

So, Mark is saying that no matter how we come to Jesus, no matter how we start our journey to follow Jesus, no matter our standing, we are loved.  It is God’s love shining through Jesus.  Indeed, the best indicator that it is love comes not from observing the characters on their journeys but instead in understanding that it is God that is reaching to them. Mark is also saying that we have to respond to the love on the terms offered. We can’t accept the offer and also hold to any of our own conditions.

 

The rich young man, the Apostles and Bartimaeus possibly thought it was themselves that were making an approach to Jesus.  Yet, there was a deeper reality.

 

For, God was calling them home.

 

Shalom,

Ozhamada

 

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