WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.139 Well, it's really good to be with you this morning, and thank you for your welcome. 00:00:06.419 --> 00:00:13.720 I do feel that there's a lot of affinity between this church and the church that I come from, Greenview Church. 00:00:14.040 --> 00:00:17.839 Lots of similarities, so thank you for making me feel very at home. 00:00:18.580 --> 00:00:24.160 Now, if you can keep your finger in Mark 10, the passage we're going to focus on, that would be good. 00:00:24.160 --> 00:00:29.019 I also want to read a brief passage which will supplement what we're going to say. 00:00:29.679 --> 00:00:35.880 And if you've got a Bible, you might want to turn to Philippians 2, so keep your finger in Mark 10. 00:00:36.019 --> 00:00:41.960 But if you can, let's briefly read a well-known section in Philippians 2. 00:00:42.359 --> 00:00:45.359 It's page 1179 in the church Bible. 00:00:46.640 --> 00:00:48.460 We're reading from verse 3. 00:00:49.679 --> 00:00:54.859 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. 00:00:54.859 --> 00:01:06.680 Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others. 00:01:06.680 --> 00:01:21.500 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his advantage. 00:01:21.500 --> 00:01:30.780 Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:40.439 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. 00:01:40.439 --> 00:01:59.060 Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth. 00:01:59.060 --> 00:02:08.140 And every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God, the Father. 00:02:09.280 --> 00:02:13.879 You might want to flip back now to Mark 10. 00:02:17.159 --> 00:02:24.120 Many of us in the summer are taking road trips to various places. 00:02:24.120 --> 00:02:25.759 We're taking long car journeys. 00:02:25.759 --> 00:02:30.979 We just went down to London last week and some of you are probably doing similar things. 00:02:31.959 --> 00:02:37.959 And this morning, we follow Jesus and his disciples on a road trip. 00:02:39.199 --> 00:02:42.780 They're traveling to the city of Jerusalem. 00:02:44.019 --> 00:02:50.139 Jesus is leading the way and his followers are coming behind. 00:02:50.139 --> 00:02:56.599 And as they travel along, the tension is rising. 00:02:57.959 --> 00:03:03.500 It wouldn't be a road trip, would it, if there wasn't a bit of tension and stress on the journey. 00:03:03.500 --> 00:03:05.839 At least that's the case in our family in the car. 00:03:06.479 --> 00:03:09.939 And there's this stress, there's this tension as they travel. 00:03:10.599 --> 00:03:17.139 Now, the interesting thing is that this tension has come from Jesus himself. 00:03:17.139 --> 00:03:22.119 Because Jesus has made a number of startling predictions. 00:03:23.299 --> 00:03:31.479 Jesus has been predicting upcoming sufferings which have jangled the nerves of the disciples. 00:03:32.919 --> 00:03:39.639 This march to Jerusalem feels more like a death march than a march to glory. 00:03:39.639 --> 00:03:48.399 And yet, even so, these disciples can't quite get visions of glory out of their heads. 00:03:49.759 --> 00:03:53.359 In fact, the first part of our passage could be titled, 00:03:54.219 --> 00:03:55.579 The Glory Hunters. 00:03:56.339 --> 00:04:00.659 The Glory Hunters, from verses 32 to 39. 00:04:02.219 --> 00:04:08.519 Jesus is heading for death, but his disciples are hunting for glory. 00:04:08.520 --> 00:04:14.640 And there's a jarring contrast between those two things. 00:04:14.740 --> 00:04:19.199 The Savior who's going to death and the disciples who are pursuing glory. 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:28.060 Now, Jesus had recently taken his disciples aside for a private little meeting. 00:04:28.060 --> 00:04:33.100 And he had outlined to them, for the third time in fact, 00:04:34.259 --> 00:04:36.720 The suffering and death awaited him in Jerusalem. 00:04:38.240 --> 00:04:40.480 Jesus could not be any clearer. 00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:47.120 Note with me in Mark 10 here, the level of detail in his prediction. 00:04:48.279 --> 00:04:52.800 This detail which emphasizes the sufferings to come. 00:04:52.800 --> 00:05:02.439 Jesus, in this little part here, he mentions seven negative predictions and just one positive prediction. 00:05:03.579 --> 00:05:08.460 Negatively, the Son of Man will be delivered to the Jewish leadership. 00:05:09.259 --> 00:05:10.960 He will be condemned to death. 00:05:11.840 --> 00:05:14.480 He will be handed over to the Gentiles. 00:05:14.480 --> 00:05:21.040 Those guys will mock him and spit on him and flog him and kill him. 00:05:21.040 --> 00:05:27.879 Seven negative predictions followed by one mysterious reference. 00:05:28.620 --> 00:05:30.800 That he will rise again. 00:05:31.640 --> 00:05:33.020 Whatever that means. 00:05:34.660 --> 00:05:41.060 And so that is the gloomy backdrop against which comes this grab for glory. 00:05:41.060 --> 00:05:51.420 It seems totally out of place to talk about glory when someone's just been talking about suffering and death, doesn't it? 00:05:53.519 --> 00:06:02.340 I don't know if you've ever been in a situation where someone says something that seems totally inappropriate and untimely. 00:06:03.840 --> 00:06:05.720 Maybe you're at a funeral or something. 00:06:05.720 --> 00:06:06.760 Maybe you're at a funeral or something. 00:06:06.860 --> 00:06:11.320 And in a very sober context, someone makes a comment and you think, not now. 00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:14.040 This is not the time or the place. 00:06:15.520 --> 00:06:23.060 Right at the moment when Jesus makes the sober prediction, James and John reach out their greedy hands. 00:06:24.680 --> 00:06:26.140 They grab for position. 00:06:26.360 --> 00:06:27.840 Teacher, they say. 00:06:27.839 --> 00:06:32.979 We want you to do for us whatever we ask. 00:06:34.699 --> 00:06:37.159 To which Jesus replies, verse 36, 00:06:38.060 --> 00:06:41.519 what do you want me to do for you? 00:06:42.979 --> 00:06:46.519 Now that question there, just take a note of it in your mind 00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:48.779 and lodge it away in your mind. 00:06:49.259 --> 00:06:51.599 What do you want me to do for you? 00:06:52.439 --> 00:06:54.559 Because later on in our passage, 00:06:54.559 --> 00:06:57.799 that question is going to come around again. 00:06:58.019 --> 00:06:59.319 And it's going to be very important 00:06:59.319 --> 00:07:02.199 in understanding what this passage is telling us. 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:04.459 What do you want me to do for you? 00:07:05.099 --> 00:07:07.879 Well, glad you asked Jesus. 00:07:09.159 --> 00:07:11.979 When you come in all of your glory, 00:07:13.039 --> 00:07:16.599 we would quite like the best seats in the house, 00:07:16.620 --> 00:07:17.439 if you don't mind. 00:07:18.659 --> 00:07:21.919 We're thinking right and left, weren't we, John? 00:07:21.919 --> 00:07:22.699 Right and left. 00:07:22.699 --> 00:07:29.259 The left and the right seats were the places of highest honor, 00:07:29.699 --> 00:07:32.579 the places of prestige, power. 00:07:33.920 --> 00:07:37.959 Think of a wedding which has a top table. 00:07:38.480 --> 00:07:41.980 The really important people at the wedding are at the top table, aren't they? 00:07:41.980 --> 00:07:45.620 Flanking the groom and the bride. 00:07:46.680 --> 00:07:48.360 That's where we want to be. 00:07:48.960 --> 00:07:50.360 When you come in your glory, 00:07:50.800 --> 00:07:54.879 we want the top places, Jesus. 00:07:54.879 --> 00:08:01.959 Now, the problem is not that the disciples have got it wrong 00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:05.699 and that Jesus is not going to come in glory 00:08:05.699 --> 00:08:10.240 because Jesus certainly will come in glory. 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:13.819 The trouble is rather their blindness 00:08:13.819 --> 00:08:17.139 to what precedes the glory 00:08:17.139 --> 00:08:24.819 and also their selfishness and lack of humility. 00:08:26.219 --> 00:08:28.019 Now, Jesus is going to address both of these things, 00:08:28.099 --> 00:08:30.959 their blindness and their selfishness and pride. 00:08:32.100 --> 00:08:34.919 He begins by addressing their blindness. 00:08:37.439 --> 00:08:39.399 These disciples don't see. 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:40.879 That's the issue. 00:08:41.519 --> 00:08:44.840 They don't see that before glory, 00:08:45.639 --> 00:08:46.659 they're suffering. 00:08:47.139 --> 00:08:51.379 You don't know what you're asking, Jesus says. 00:08:52.179 --> 00:08:53.799 You don't know what you're asking. 00:08:53.960 --> 00:08:58.199 There's an ignorance and a cluelessness 00:08:58.199 --> 00:08:59.899 which marks these disciples. 00:09:02.419 --> 00:09:04.199 And what is it that they don't know? 00:09:04.299 --> 00:09:05.220 Here's what they don't know. 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:07.659 They don't seem to grasp 00:09:07.659 --> 00:09:11.019 that before the crown and the feast 00:09:11.019 --> 00:09:15.860 comes a cup and a baptism. 00:09:17.139 --> 00:09:20.199 Now, these images that Jesus uses 00:09:20.199 --> 00:09:21.539 are a bit unfamiliar to us. 00:09:21.740 --> 00:09:23.879 The image of the cup and the baptism, 00:09:23.879 --> 00:09:26.360 they come from the Old Testament. 00:09:27.899 --> 00:09:32.980 The cup was an Old Testament picture of God's wrath. 00:09:32.980 --> 00:09:36.039 The cup of wrath. 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:38.940 The cup of wrath that the justice-deserving sinner 00:09:38.940 --> 00:09:42.120 would be made to drink to the dregs. 00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:46.740 A bitter and horrible cup. 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:50.960 A cup that you would dread to drink. 00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:58.900 Yet now Jesus is saying that he will drink this cup. 00:09:59.900 --> 00:10:03.600 He will drink it on our behalf. 00:10:03.600 --> 00:10:12.440 And he will be overwhelmed by the waters of God's judgment. 00:10:14.060 --> 00:10:15.740 That's what baptism's about. 00:10:16.019 --> 00:10:19.379 Baptism in this imagery is not like the water baptism 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:20.300 you saw last week. 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:25.000 But baptism here speaks of an overwhelming flood 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:27.720 of wrath and judgment. 00:10:28.460 --> 00:10:31.159 That deluges you and drowns you. 00:10:32.940 --> 00:10:35.480 Jesus says, not only will I drink the cup of wrath, 00:10:35.580 --> 00:10:40.080 but I will be completely consumed by a tsunami of judgment. 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:41.080 Isn't it? 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:44.960 Aren't you thankful this morning 00:10:44.960 --> 00:10:49.060 that Jesus drank that cup 00:10:49.060 --> 00:10:51.840 and endured that baptism 00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:57.040 so that you and I would never have to experience 00:10:57.040 --> 00:10:58.560 those two things? 00:10:59.960 --> 00:11:02.920 I love Jesus' question in verse 38. 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:07.020 Can you drink the cup I drink? 00:11:07.019 --> 00:11:10.620 Can you go through my baptism? 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:14.759 Their answer should have been no. 00:11:15.699 --> 00:11:16.840 Of course we can't. 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:21.899 But in their pride they reply yes. 00:11:23.279 --> 00:11:23.679 Cup? 00:11:24.799 --> 00:11:25.379 Baptism? 00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:27.620 We're good to go. 00:11:30.539 --> 00:11:34.319 I wonder if there are times when in our own hubris 00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:36.840 and maybe momentary passion 00:11:36.840 --> 00:11:41.560 we sometimes promise God things beyond what we can deliver 00:11:41.560 --> 00:11:43.300 or what we do end up delivering. 00:11:43.780 --> 00:11:45.540 I've certainly done that in my life. 00:11:46.760 --> 00:11:48.440 We're good for the cup and the baptism. 00:11:50.660 --> 00:11:51.900 But here's the surprise. 00:11:52.060 --> 00:11:54.200 Jesus says to them, 00:11:55.060 --> 00:11:56.900 okay, okay. 00:11:58.420 --> 00:11:59.220 I'll tell you what. 00:11:59.220 --> 00:12:01.740 You will share in the cup 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:05.500 and you will share my baptism. 00:12:06.540 --> 00:12:08.860 Now what does Jesus mean here when he says 00:12:08.860 --> 00:12:10.240 you will share my cup 00:12:10.240 --> 00:12:12.460 and you will share my baptism? 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:16.820 There are two options as to what he means. 00:12:17.920 --> 00:12:20.420 On the one hand he might be saying something simply like 00:12:20.420 --> 00:12:24.000 you will share with me in the general sufferings 00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:25.300 of being my follower. 00:12:25.299 --> 00:12:29.219 Not the sufferings of redemption and salvation 00:12:29.219 --> 00:12:31.139 but just the suffering of persecution, 00:12:31.419 --> 00:12:34.879 of following Jesus in a world that's hostile to him. 00:12:35.899 --> 00:12:36.899 That may be what he means. 00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:38.959 You need to drink that cup of suffering. 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:41.459 You need to endure that kind of baptism 00:12:41.459 --> 00:12:44.439 of people giving you the cold shoulder and worse. 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:49.519 But there's another way of understanding this. 00:12:50.779 --> 00:12:51.939 A deeper way. 00:12:51.940 --> 00:12:54.620 It might be that what Jesus is saying 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:56.120 when he says that you'll share my cup 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:57.140 and you'll share my baptism, 00:12:57.300 --> 00:12:58.040 he might be saying, 00:12:58.240 --> 00:13:01.960 you're going to share in the sufferings of my redemption. 00:13:03.420 --> 00:13:06.120 You see, when Jesus died on the cross, 00:13:06.880 --> 00:13:09.960 when he drank the cup and he endured the baptism, 00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:12.440 the Bible tells us that in a mysterious way, 00:13:13.140 --> 00:13:16.100 somehow we who believe in him 00:13:16.100 --> 00:13:19.680 were with him in that death, 00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:22.879 in that drinking and in that enduring 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:27.439 so that his death on the cross becomes our death. 00:13:31.359 --> 00:13:32.500 Whichever of these is right, 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:35.379 it's the sacrifice on the cross 00:13:35.379 --> 00:13:38.919 that Jesus wants his disciples to be fixed on. 00:13:39.919 --> 00:13:43.359 Not on the glory of their own prestige 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:47.120 but on the glory of his and of his cross. 00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:51.080 Jesus wants them and us to see this morning 00:13:51.080 --> 00:13:54.120 the ransom pair in all of his glory. 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:57.639 That's verses 40 to 45. 00:13:58.399 --> 00:13:59.500 The ransom pair. 00:13:59.500 --> 00:14:04.519 Jesus knocks back his disciples' request. 00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:07.700 He disappoints their grab for glory 00:14:07.700 --> 00:14:10.940 and he focuses them on the suffering that precedes glory. 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:12.740 He tells them, verse 40, 00:14:13.799 --> 00:14:16.519 that he can give them no guarantees of future glory 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:18.399 such as they're expecting. 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:21.580 At the marriage supper of the lamb, 00:14:22.559 --> 00:14:24.740 it's the father who decides the seating plan. 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:29.220 And so the grab for glory fails 00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:30.560 and then even worse, 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:33.539 the word then gets out among the other disciples 00:14:33.539 --> 00:14:37.220 that James and John have been lobbying Jesus 00:14:37.220 --> 00:14:38.299 for the top spots. 00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:42.399 And the 10, the other 10 guys, 00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:45.240 they are raging mad at this. 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:50.799 Presumably because they wanted the best seats for themselves. 00:14:50.799 --> 00:14:56.500 You see, pride and selfish ambition 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:59.339 are not subcategories of sin 00:14:59.339 --> 00:15:03.439 that only some believers struggle with. 00:15:05.199 --> 00:15:07.099 All 12 of them had this issue. 00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:10.159 And it's true of us, isn't it? 00:15:11.319 --> 00:15:12.779 From the newbie Christian 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:15.319 to the most mature believer, 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:18.199 pride and selfishness 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:21.040 our sins we battle all the way to glory. 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:26.040 We live in an entitlement culture. 00:15:27.540 --> 00:15:28.860 It's interesting, isn't it, though, 00:15:28.900 --> 00:15:30.660 that people often talk about that 00:15:30.660 --> 00:15:31.580 as if it's a new thing. 00:15:33.140 --> 00:15:34.879 There's an entitlement culture now. 00:15:36.800 --> 00:15:38.740 Sinful human beings have always been entitled 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:39.680 in their sinfulness. 00:15:40.900 --> 00:15:43.420 Always been selfish, put themselves first. 00:15:43.420 --> 00:15:44.920 Always have been proud 00:15:44.920 --> 00:15:47.879 in relation to God and other people. 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:51.500 There's an entitlement culture 00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:53.900 because there's an entitlement nature 00:15:53.900 --> 00:15:54.920 in our hearts. 00:15:55.920 --> 00:15:57.860 And we see it in ourselves, don't we? 00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:02.440 We see it in our unwillingness 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:05.759 to do, at times, the small jobs. 00:16:08.400 --> 00:16:09.840 We hold back, 00:16:10.440 --> 00:16:11.740 hoping that someone else 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:13.180 will volunteer before us 00:16:13.179 --> 00:16:15.479 to do that really unpleasant 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:17.459 and unseen job. 00:16:19.459 --> 00:16:21.139 We see that pride within us 00:16:21.139 --> 00:16:23.579 that wants to be well thought of, 00:16:24.479 --> 00:16:26.199 that wants to people please 00:16:26.199 --> 00:16:27.599 in order to get the praise, 00:16:28.359 --> 00:16:30.059 that gets annoyed 00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:31.639 when we don't get the plaudits. 00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:35.159 Even in church, 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:39.539 even as we worship a selfless saviour, 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:42.860 we can be far too concerned 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:44.019 with what we receive 00:16:44.019 --> 00:16:46.439 than with what we're giving. 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:50.779 The rulers of that day, 00:16:50.919 --> 00:16:51.799 the Gentiles, 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:55.259 were known for their selfish ambition 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:57.819 and how they lorded it 00:16:57.819 --> 00:16:58.899 over everyone else. 00:17:00.659 --> 00:17:02.360 But Jesus wants his disciples 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:03.100 to be different. 00:17:04.379 --> 00:17:06.079 Not to strive to be first, 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:07.599 but to strive to be 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:08.879 the servant of all. 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:11.740 Jesus wants men and women 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.740 and young people 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.740 and children 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:16.099 whose ambition will be 00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:17.319 whose ambition will be 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:19.579 to serve other people. 00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:22.959 In Jesus' kingdom, 00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:25.319 the race is to the bottom, 00:17:25.459 --> 00:17:26.179 not the top. 00:17:29.379 --> 00:17:29.819 Imagine, 00:17:29.959 --> 00:17:31.819 those of you that like football, 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:34.199 imagine a Premier League 00:17:34.199 --> 00:17:37.379 where the last place team, 00:17:37.459 --> 00:17:38.240 the bottom team, 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:39.819 won the league title. 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:40.459 Right? 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.119 I mean, last year, 00:17:41.159 --> 00:17:42.019 that would have been Norwich. 00:17:42.139 --> 00:17:43.139 Norwich would have been awarded 00:17:43.139 --> 00:17:44.279 the Premier League 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:45.899 because they finished last. 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:47.899 It would have been good for them. 00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:50.519 In Jesus' kingdom, 00:17:51.139 --> 00:17:52.299 the last place 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:53.179 is the first place. 00:17:55.159 --> 00:17:56.279 The slave 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:57.799 is great 00:17:57.799 --> 00:18:00.939 because we follow 00:18:00.939 --> 00:18:01.699 a great servant. 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:04.279 Mark 10, 00:18:04.839 --> 00:18:05.919 verse 45, 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:07.639 is the best known verse 00:18:07.639 --> 00:18:08.439 in Mark's Gospel. 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:11.559 For even the Son of Man 00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:13.740 didn't come to be served, 00:18:14.379 --> 00:18:15.619 but to serve. 00:18:16.099 --> 00:18:17.779 The Son of Man. 00:18:18.959 --> 00:18:20.159 In the Old Testament, 00:18:20.379 --> 00:18:21.419 the Son of Man 00:18:21.419 --> 00:18:25.379 is this magnificent figure 00:18:25.379 --> 00:18:26.659 of great magnitude. 00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:29.759 An unparalleled human being 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:31.319 with unrivaled authority 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:33.319 who rules all people 00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:34.559 and all nations forever. 00:18:34.699 --> 00:18:35.279 Daniel 7, 00:18:35.379 --> 00:18:37.159 you can read all about him there. 00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:41.900 But even the Son of Man, 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:44.019 that's the emphasis here. 00:18:44.800 --> 00:18:46.900 Even someone this great 00:18:46.900 --> 00:18:49.980 who rules over all things, 00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:53.800 even he came to serve. 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:59.180 and he served us 00:18:59.180 --> 00:19:00.879 by paying the price 00:19:00.879 --> 00:19:02.440 for the many. 00:19:02.440 --> 00:19:06.500 In books like Exodus 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:07.460 and Leviticus, 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.059 we are introduced 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:09.940 to this idea 00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:10.779 of ransom 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:12.400 in the Bible. 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:14.640 We see in those books 00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:16.120 lambs being slain 00:19:16.120 --> 00:19:17.400 and their blood 00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:18.259 being shed 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:20.420 as a kind of ransom 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:21.000 payment 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:23.540 that buys 00:19:23.540 --> 00:19:25.220 Israel's forgiveness 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:26.740 and purchases 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:28.160 their freedom. 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:30.480 The Son of Man 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.000 will give his life 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:32.120 as a ransom for many. 00:19:32.300 --> 00:19:33.480 His life, 00:19:33.600 --> 00:19:34.320 when it's laid down, 00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:35.560 will be the payment 00:19:35.560 --> 00:19:36.220 for sin. 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:38.759 It will leave sinners 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:39.759 debt-free 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:40.620 before God, 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:41.579 owing him nothing 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:44.059 in terms of judgment. 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:46.900 Yes, 00:19:47.539 --> 00:19:49.220 Jesus is our role model, 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:51.339 but he's more 00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:52.480 than a model servant. 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:54.400 He's the purchaser 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:56.819 of our salvation. 00:19:58.660 --> 00:19:59.299 Imagine 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:02.019 going out for a meal 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:03.880 at a really high-class restaurant 00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:06.500 and the food is delicious, 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:07.180 but the prices 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:08.620 are extortionate 00:20:08.620 --> 00:20:10.480 and the bill 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:11.340 comes at the end 00:20:11.340 --> 00:20:11.780 of the meal 00:20:11.780 --> 00:20:14.900 and when you take 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:15.580 a look at the bill, 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:18.520 there's more numbers 00:20:18.520 --> 00:20:19.240 on that bill 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:19.860 than you have 00:20:19.860 --> 00:20:20.860 in your bank account 00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:23.860 and maybe you're 00:20:23.860 --> 00:20:24.820 even the sort of person 00:20:24.820 --> 00:20:25.720 who's really proud 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:27.000 and you always want to pay, 00:20:27.140 --> 00:20:27.560 but man, 00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:28.380 you can't pay 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:32.100 and you're so thankful 00:20:32.100 --> 00:20:32.800 because 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:34.720 the person 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.299 who invited you 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:35.819 for the meal 00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:36.759 is an extremely 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.720 wealthy person. 00:20:37.919 --> 00:20:38.559 They suggested 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:39.259 the restaurant 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:41.379 and at the end 00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:42.399 when they 00:20:42.399 --> 00:20:43.779 offer to pay, 00:20:44.379 --> 00:20:45.879 not just you 00:20:45.879 --> 00:20:46.779 but all 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.519 of the guests 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:48.599 let out 00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:49.579 a collective sigh 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:50.240 of relief. 00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:52.599 Stick it 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:54.079 on my account, 00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.039 they say. 00:20:56.139 --> 00:20:56.859 I'll pay it all. 00:20:59.559 --> 00:20:59.940 You see, 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:00.399 this, 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:01.940 this is what 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:02.920 matters in life. 00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:05.019 This is what 00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:05.740 really 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:07.320 is glorious. 00:21:08.100 --> 00:21:08.960 Not the stuff 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.700 that the world 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:10.500 is pursuing 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:11.300 with all of its 00:21:11.300 --> 00:21:12.820 raging ambition, 00:21:13.820 --> 00:21:15.820 but that a price 00:21:15.820 --> 00:21:16.519 has been paid 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.900 and that by mercy 00:21:17.900 --> 00:21:19.720 we've been freed. 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:22.280 The question is, 00:21:22.360 --> 00:21:23.600 do we see 00:21:23.600 --> 00:21:24.720 the world 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:25.280 in that way 00:21:25.280 --> 00:21:25.840 this morning? 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:28.199 Or are we 00:21:28.199 --> 00:21:29.299 blind to the 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:29.980 glory that 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:31.039 really matters? 00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:32.959 The glory 00:21:32.959 --> 00:21:33.679 of Christ 00:21:33.679 --> 00:21:34.319 and his 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:35.079 cross? 00:21:36.919 --> 00:21:37.099 See, 00:21:37.199 --> 00:21:37.740 it's no accident 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:38.679 that after all 00:21:38.679 --> 00:21:39.399 of the blindness 00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:40.439 of the disciples 00:21:40.439 --> 00:21:41.199 in this passage 00:21:41.199 --> 00:21:41.799 and all that Jesus 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.419 is trying to teach 00:21:42.419 --> 00:21:42.559 them, 00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:43.699 it's no accident 00:21:43.699 --> 00:21:44.799 that what 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:46.419 then happens, 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:47.519 what then follows 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:48.299 is a story 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:48.959 of a man 00:21:48.959 --> 00:21:49.500 who was 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.299 blind 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:51.779 and who 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.299 now comes 00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:53.519 to see. 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:55.039 It's almost 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:55.639 a kind of 00:21:55.639 --> 00:21:56.159 parable 00:21:56.159 --> 00:21:58.000 of what we've 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:58.440 been learning. 00:21:58.599 --> 00:21:59.240 So let's finish 00:21:59.240 --> 00:21:59.859 with this, 00:21:59.859 --> 00:22:00.839 from the glory 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:01.259 hunters 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.579 to the ransom 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:02.940 pair 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:04.180 and finally 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:04.599 we turn 00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:05.500 to the blind 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:06.700 visionary, 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.319 the blind 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:07.680 visionary, 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.319 the blind man 00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:08.899 who was able 00:22:08.899 --> 00:22:09.659 to see 00:22:09.659 --> 00:22:10.940 in verses 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:12.519 46 to 52. 00:22:14.159 --> 00:22:14.659 Jerusalem 00:22:14.659 --> 00:22:15.859 is creeping 00:22:15.859 --> 00:22:16.839 even closer. 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.299 Jesus comes 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:19.240 to the last 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:19.919 stop before 00:22:19.919 --> 00:22:20.119 it, 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:20.619 Jericho 00:22:20.619 --> 00:22:22.919 and Jesus 00:22:22.919 --> 00:22:23.519 is leaving 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.000 the city, 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:25.639 he's coming 00:22:25.639 --> 00:22:26.179 out of Jericho 00:22:26.179 --> 00:22:26.859 when in the 00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:27.639 clamour of the 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:28.099 crowd, 00:22:28.899 --> 00:22:29.919 this voice, 00:22:30.119 --> 00:22:31.240 this crying 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:32.379 voice is heard 00:22:32.379 --> 00:22:32.980 over everyone 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.480 else. 00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:35.359 It's the voice 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:36.959 of Bartimaeus, 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:39.319 a blind 00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:40.059 beggar 00:22:40.059 --> 00:22:40.579 on the 00:22:40.579 --> 00:22:41.179 streets 00:22:41.179 --> 00:22:42.759 who had 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.240 lived his 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:43.720 life in 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.500 poverty and 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:45.039 darkness. 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:47.440 Now, 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.519 Bartimaeus 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:50.879 couldn't 00:22:50.879 --> 00:22:51.480 see Jesus 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:51.980 physically. 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:55.440 But what 00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:55.960 we see in 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.539 this passage 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.000 is that 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.759 Bartimaeus 00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.259 sees in 00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:59.000 other ways. 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.279 He sees 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:01.680 in his 00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:02.180 soul. 00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:04.940 He sees 00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:06.279 that Jesus, 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:07.899 verse 47, 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.500 is the 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:09.940 son of 00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:10.339 David. 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:12.759 That's 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:13.379 exactly who 00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:14.059 Jesus is. 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:15.839 That's 00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:16.299 actually what 00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:17.000 Mark tells 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:17.279 us through 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:17.680 the whole 00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:18.000 of this 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:18.399 gospel, 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:19.399 from the 00:23:19.399 --> 00:23:19.920 very opening 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.259 verse, 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:20.799 that Jesus 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:21.740 isn't just 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.740 a teacher 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.159 or a 00:23:23.159 --> 00:23:23.460 prophet, 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:25.220 but he 00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:25.500 is the 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:25.819 son of 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.139 David. 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:27.579 He's the 00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:28.039 Messiah. 00:23:28.159 --> 00:23:28.480 He's the 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.480 long-promised 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:29.960 king. 00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:32.240 And the 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:32.579 remarkable 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.079 thing is 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:33.379 that this 00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:33.879 man gets 00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:34.079 this, 00:23:34.159 --> 00:23:34.319 and the 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:34.700 remarkable 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.599 thing is 00:23:35.599 --> 00:23:36.000 presumably 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.440 that he 00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:36.879 had very 00:23:36.879 --> 00:23:37.700 little evidence 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.159 even to 00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:38.619 go on. 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:40.579 He had 00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:41.259 seen no 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:41.639 miracles. 00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:43.540 As far 00:23:43.540 --> 00:23:43.820 as we 00:23:43.820 --> 00:23:44.220 know, 00:23:44.620 --> 00:23:44.920 he had 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:45.520 heard no 00:23:45.520 --> 00:23:46.000 sermons. 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.840 He must 00:23:48.840 --> 00:23:49.259 have heard 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:49.940 about Jesus 00:23:49.940 --> 00:23:51.440 through the 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:52.120 reports and 00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:52.720 the words 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:54.400 of others. 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.360 It's a 00:23:57.360 --> 00:23:57.880 little reminder, 00:23:58.020 --> 00:23:58.200 isn't it, 00:23:58.200 --> 00:23:58.420 of the 00:23:58.420 --> 00:23:59.280 importance for 00:23:59.280 --> 00:24:00.820 us of 00:24:00.820 --> 00:24:02.259 speaking to 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:02.660 those who 00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.620 are blind, 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.320 and I'm 00:24:05.320 --> 00:24:05.720 meaning here 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.800 spiritually blind, 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:08.720 which is 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:09.240 every 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.279 unbeliever in 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:11.460 our relational 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:11.899 circle, 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.399 isn't it? 00:24:13.399 --> 00:24:14.039 They are as 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:14.639 blind to 00:24:14.639 --> 00:24:15.200 Jesus as 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:16.039 Bartimaeus was 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:16.619 blind to him 00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:16.980 physically. 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:18.740 They cannot 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.559 see him 00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:20.759 unless we 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.740 speak to 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.539 them and 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:22.919 they hear 00:24:22.919 --> 00:24:23.480 about him. 00:24:25.099 --> 00:24:25.899 I wonder 00:24:25.899 --> 00:24:27.899 if we're 00:24:27.899 --> 00:24:28.359 doing a good 00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:28.839 job of that. 00:24:28.919 --> 00:24:29.619 I wonder if 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:31.440 post-pandemic 00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:31.960 that's a 00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:32.519 priority 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:34.579 on our 00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:34.859 to-do 00:24:34.859 --> 00:24:35.279 list. 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:37.000 I wonder 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:37.339 if we're 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:38.220 helping people 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:39.180 to hear about 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:39.879 Jesus or I 00:24:39.879 --> 00:24:41.000 wonder if we're 00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:42.000 hindering people 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.339 from coming to 00:24:43.339 --> 00:24:44.039 Jesus because 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:44.940 although some 00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:45.559 people must have 00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:46.240 told this man 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:46.779 about Jesus, 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.579 there's people 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:48.440 here in this 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:48.940 text who are 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:49.559 actually holding 00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:50.200 him back. 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.399 Holding him 00:24:52.399 --> 00:24:52.779 back. 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:54.920 Jesus isn't 00:24:54.920 --> 00:24:55.399 going to want 00:24:55.399 --> 00:24:56.079 to speak to 00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:56.279 you. 00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:57.240 Jesus isn't 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.019 going to want 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.200 to be talking 00:24:59.200 --> 00:24:59.839 to a man 00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:00.960 like you. 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:03.619 And yet this 00:25:03.619 --> 00:25:04.160 man shouted 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:04.859 all the more 00:25:04.859 --> 00:25:06.119 he was 00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:07.139 determined to 00:25:07.139 --> 00:25:08.519 meet Jesus. 00:25:10.439 --> 00:25:10.979 Maybe you're 00:25:10.979 --> 00:25:11.259 here this 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:11.719 morning and 00:25:11.719 --> 00:25:13.339 maybe you're 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:13.699 not a 00:25:13.699 --> 00:25:13.959 Christian. 00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:14.679 Maybe you've 00:25:14.679 --> 00:25:16.079 been exploring 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:16.899 the Christian 00:25:16.899 --> 00:25:17.559 faith or 00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:17.919 maybe you're 00:25:17.919 --> 00:25:18.679 watching online 00:25:18.679 --> 00:25:19.679 and you're 00:25:19.679 --> 00:25:20.479 investigating 00:25:20.479 --> 00:25:21.379 Christianity. 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:24.959 It's a 00:25:24.959 --> 00:25:25.479 wonderful thing 00:25:25.479 --> 00:25:25.919 isn't it that 00:25:25.919 --> 00:25:26.519 God pursues 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:28.179 us by his 00:25:28.179 --> 00:25:30.439 spirit but 00:25:30.439 --> 00:25:30.799 it's also 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:31.359 important isn't 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:31.679 it that we 00:25:31.679 --> 00:25:32.339 pursue him. 00:25:32.339 --> 00:25:34.099 there comes 00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:34.480 that moment 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.159 where you 00:25:35.159 --> 00:25:35.639 need to 00:25:35.639 --> 00:25:36.779 make that 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.319 step where 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:37.980 you need to 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:38.839 move towards 00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:41.139 Jesus and 00:25:41.139 --> 00:25:41.419 that's what 00:25:41.419 --> 00:25:41.839 this man 00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:42.279 does. 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:44.599 He doesn't 00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:45.079 give up. 00:25:46.159 --> 00:25:46.459 He doesn't 00:25:46.459 --> 00:25:47.039 even listen to 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:47.859 the naysayers but 00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:49.159 he's determined 00:25:49.159 --> 00:25:51.500 and of course as we 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.339 would expect 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:53.339 Jesus graciously 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:55.019 responds. 00:25:55.959 --> 00:25:56.159 And so 00:25:56.159 --> 00:25:57.480 Bartimaeus is 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.339 brought to 00:25:58.339 --> 00:25:59.019 Jesus but look 00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.859 at verse 51 00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:00.900 when he's 00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:01.460 brought Jesus 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:02.559 asked him a 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.819 question and 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.180 what's the 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:04.700 question he 00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:05.240 asked him? 00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:09.680 What do you 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.259 want me to do 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:10.759 for you? 00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:14.960 It's the same 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:16.639 question that he 00:26:16.639 --> 00:26:17.579 asked James and 00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:19.220 John just a few 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:19.940 moments earlier. 00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:21.700 What do you 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.539 want me to do 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.079 for you? 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:25.379 How did James 00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:26.099 and John answer 00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:26.720 that question? 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:29.740 We want the 00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.339 best seats in 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:30.720 the kingdom. 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:33.700 We want 00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:34.500 personal glory. 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.600 We're meant 00:26:37.600 --> 00:26:39.039 to see a 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:40.440 direct contrast 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:41.019 here. 00:26:42.920 --> 00:26:43.680 Because here's 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.440 this man and 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.299 his answer is 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:48.400 Rabbi, I 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:49.059 want to see. 00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:51.920 All I want 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:53.039 is to see you. 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:55.259 All I want 00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:55.980 is to be healed 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:56.680 of my blindness 00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.620 and to see 00:26:57.620 --> 00:26:58.400 you. 00:26:59.400 --> 00:27:00.360 Nothing else. 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:02.319 This man 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:03.480 wanted mercy 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:05.380 not glory. 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.539 He didn't 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.039 want half the 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:08.319 kingdom. 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:08.680 He didn't 00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:09.099 want the top 00:27:09.099 --> 00:27:09.460 position. 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:10.480 He just 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:11.960 wanted to 00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:12.700 be saved. 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:15.079 In fact, 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:16.120 this word 00:27:16.120 --> 00:27:17.140 that Mark 00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:18.220 uses here for 00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:19.839 healing in 00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:20.500 the language 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.120 the New Testament 00:27:21.120 --> 00:27:21.539 was written in, 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.200 the language of 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:23.059 Greek, that the 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:23.779 word here for 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.680 healed could be 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:26.100 translated saved. 00:27:26.320 --> 00:27:27.600 It's the same 00:27:27.600 --> 00:27:28.140 word. 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:31.120 He saves 00:27:31.120 --> 00:27:32.560 this man from 00:27:32.560 --> 00:27:33.420 his blindness 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:35.700 as Bartimaeus 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:36.360 puts his faith 00:27:36.360 --> 00:27:36.960 in Jesus. 00:27:38.600 --> 00:27:39.560 Have you been 00:27:39.560 --> 00:27:40.420 saved from your 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:40.799 blindness? 00:27:42.380 --> 00:27:43.279 Have you been 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:45.240 healed from 00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:45.799 your sin? 00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:47.640 What happens 00:27:47.640 --> 00:27:48.080 next? 00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:50.819 Jesus tells the 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:51.379 man to go, 00:27:53.379 --> 00:27:54.240 but he's so 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:54.759 thrilled with 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.439 Jesus and the 00:27:55.439 --> 00:27:56.039 mercy he's been 00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:56.579 shown that he 00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:57.439 doesn't go home 00:27:57.439 --> 00:27:59.639 and he simply 00:27:59.639 --> 00:28:00.859 follows Jesus 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:02.460 along the road. 00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:03.899 Isn't that 00:28:03.899 --> 00:28:04.839 beautiful? 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.199 The man who 00:28:07.199 --> 00:28:08.139 wanted mercy 00:28:08.139 --> 00:28:08.699 and nothing 00:28:08.699 --> 00:28:10.359 else now 00:28:10.359 --> 00:28:11.419 follows Jesus 00:28:11.419 --> 00:28:12.539 simply, 00:28:12.879 --> 00:28:13.319 gratefully, 00:28:13.539 --> 00:28:14.159 obediently, 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:16.039 wherever he 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.980 leads. 00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:19.359 Whether that 00:28:19.359 --> 00:28:19.980 following 00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:22.359 leads to 00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:22.680 immediate 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.200 suffering 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:25.740 or to 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.180 glory, 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:28.220 whether it 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:28.539 leads to 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:29.039 height or 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:29.559 depth, 00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:30.899 he follows 00:28:30.899 --> 00:28:31.819 along the 00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:32.039 road. 00:28:32.119 --> 00:28:32.579 He's not 00:28:32.579 --> 00:28:33.099 devoted, 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:34.539 he's not 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:34.940 entitled, 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.680 but he is 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:37.819 devoted. 00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:40.639 What about 00:28:40.639 --> 00:28:41.119 us this 00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:41.460 morning? 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:44.859 Who are we 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:45.399 like this 00:28:45.399 --> 00:28:45.720 morning? 00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:50.159 What are 00:28:50.159 --> 00:28:50.539 our eyes 00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:51.420 fixed on 00:28:51.420 --> 00:28:52.399 today? 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.200 Are we 00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:55.599 like James 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:56.099 and John? 00:28:56.819 --> 00:28:57.339 Just 00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:58.180 consumed with 00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:58.599 our own 00:28:58.599 --> 00:28:59.159 personal 00:28:59.159 --> 00:29:00.119 ambitions in 00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:00.500 life, 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:01.359 even maybe 00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:01.879 as Christians? 00:29:03.619 --> 00:29:04.159 Functionally, 00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:05.180 that's where 00:29:05.180 --> 00:29:05.859 our focus is 00:29:05.859 --> 00:29:06.079 at the 00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:06.339 moment. 00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:09.720 Or is 00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.139 our focus 00:29:10.139 --> 00:29:10.839 on Christ 00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:12.420 and his 00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:14.180 glory and 00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:14.460 on the 00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:14.940 mercy that 00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:15.399 he offers 00:29:15.400 --> 00:29:15.780 us and 00:29:15.780 --> 00:29:16.140 on the 00:29:16.140 --> 00:29:16.660 mercy that 00:29:16.660 --> 00:29:17.080 he wants 00:29:17.080 --> 00:29:17.519 to offer 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:17.940 others 00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:18.340 through 00:29:18.340 --> 00:29:18.759 us? 00:29:23.560 --> 00:29:24.080 Let's 00:29:24.080 --> 00:29:24.440 be sure 00:29:24.440 --> 00:29:25.280 that the 00:29:25.280 --> 00:29:25.980 entitlement 00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:27.000 culture of 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.759 our society 00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:28.800 is not 00:29:28.800 --> 00:29:29.060 just 00:29:29.060 --> 00:29:29.460 baptized 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:30.660 and made 00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:30.960 to look 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:31.160 a bit 00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:31.360 more 00:29:31.360 --> 00:29:31.800 Christian. 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:32.480 God 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:33.940 God 00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:34.720 for 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:34.960 us. 00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:35.159 The cup 00:29:35.159 --> 00:29:35.440 and the 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:35.799 flood that 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.119 we were 00:29:36.119 --> 00:29:36.539 entitled 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:36.919 to 00:29:36.919 --> 00:29:37.960 were 00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:38.319 taken 00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:38.759 by 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:39.399 Jesus 00:29:39.399 --> 00:29:40.720 so that 00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:41.240 we might 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:42.539 live and 00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:43.200 serve him 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:44.819 in joy 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:46.500 and in 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:46.859 freedom. 00:29:47.919 --> 00:29:49.099 Let's pray. 00:29:49.099 --> 00:29:56.399 our 00:29:56.399 --> 00:29:56.899 father in 00:29:56.899 --> 00:29:57.240 heaven, 00:29:57.459 --> 00:29:58.859 we see 00:29:58.859 --> 00:29:59.699 before us 00:29:59.699 --> 00:30:00.419 the 00:30:00.419 --> 00:30:01.679 stark 00:30:01.679 --> 00:30:02.299 contrast 00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:02.879 between a 00:30:02.879 --> 00:30:03.480 heart of 00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:05.639 pride and 00:30:05.639 --> 00:30:06.500 selfishness 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:07.839 and a 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:08.179 heart of 00:30:08.179 --> 00:30:08.740 repentance 00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:10.740 and humility. 00:30:12.179 --> 00:30:12.779 Father, 00:30:12.899 --> 00:30:13.519 so often we 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:13.859 have the 00:30:13.859 --> 00:30:14.299 first kind 00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:14.819 of heart, 00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:16.179 but we 00:30:16.179 --> 00:30:16.500 thank you 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:16.779 that by 00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:17.460 your grace 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:17.779 and by 00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:18.399 your spirit 00:30:18.399 --> 00:30:18.819 and the 00:30:18.819 --> 00:30:19.200 power of 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:19.639 your words 00:30:19.639 --> 00:30:21.099 that you 00:30:21.099 --> 00:30:21.639 do enable 00:30:21.639 --> 00:30:21.980 us to 00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:22.319 have the 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:22.579 second 00:30:22.579 --> 00:30:22.980 type. 00:30:24.099 --> 00:30:24.439 And we 00:30:24.439 --> 00:30:25.000 pray today 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:25.339 that we 00:30:25.339 --> 00:30:25.720 would be 00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:26.279 filled with 00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:26.879 that fresh 00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:27.679 sense that 00:30:27.679 --> 00:30:28.819 what we 00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:29.460 really want 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:29.879 and what we 00:30:29.879 --> 00:30:30.299 really need 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:30.859 is mercy, 00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:32.399 the glory 00:30:32.399 --> 00:30:32.759 of the 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.099 cross, 00:30:33.179 --> 00:30:33.460 not the 00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:34.839 glory of 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:35.099 our own 00:30:35.099 --> 00:30:35.480 ambitions. 00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:37.659 May we 00:30:37.659 --> 00:30:38.139 be truly 00:30:38.139 --> 00:30:39.700 grateful and 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.559 thankful as 00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:41.299 we see 00:30:41.299 --> 00:30:42.579 all that 00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:43.139 Jesus is 00:30:43.139 --> 00:30:43.539 and all 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:43.899 that he's 00:30:43.899 --> 00:30:44.480 done for 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:44.799 us. 00:30:44.819 --> 00:30:46.519 in setting 00:30:46.519 --> 00:30:47.079 aside the 00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:47.480 glory of 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:48.119 his kingship 00:30:48.119 --> 00:30:48.480 in order 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:49.000 to serve 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.339 us. 00:30:50.879 --> 00:30:51.240 May we 00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:51.619 be those 00:30:51.619 --> 00:30:53.579 that declare 00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:54.039 that to 00:30:54.039 --> 00:30:55.659 others and 00:30:55.659 --> 00:30:56.119 that show 00:30:56.119 --> 00:30:56.919 his humility 00:30:56.919 --> 00:30:57.899 and his 00:30:57.899 --> 00:30:58.439 service in 00:30:58.439 --> 00:30:58.779 the way we 00:30:58.779 --> 00:30:59.039 live. 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.599 We ask it 00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:00.859 in his 00:31:00.859 --> 00:31:01.159 name. 00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:02.359 Amen.