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The call of Jesus Song: When he calls me, I will answer The gospel of Mark chapter 10 began as usual with crowds coming to Jesus and as was his custom, he taught them and ministered to their individual needs. In this chapter many people came to Jesus with different motives, some with good motives and others with wrong intentions and people think that being born again is for children and not for adult. Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" (Mark 10:2). Of course they got a wise answer from the Lord. “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.” (1 Corinthians 1:25). 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness" (1 Corinthians 3:19). “People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.” (Mark 10:13). What about these adults? Do they not need the same touch of Jesus? Were they self righteous? Were they just asking the little children (may be the poor, the rejected, the ‘sinners’ etc) to go to Jesus. Do you know that many still ignorantly think that only the poor people and the likes go to Church? How terribly wrong they are! 17As Jesus started on his way, a man ( The Rich Young 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 ). Again he wasn’t really ready for the commitment. He cherished his wealth and would not let go and let God. He was worldly and earthly conscious. He came with prejudice and unwillingness to repent. 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." (Mark 10:35). Here they wanted to use Jesus a rubber stamp to endorse their selfish motive. They have forgotten that: again they got a wise response from the Lord who can never be trapped. He can never be deceived or deceive anyone. He was always very emphatic about all matters of life. “To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.” (Proverbs 16:1). Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight 46Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." 50Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. 52"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (Mark 10:46-52). Here was a sincere blind man, he was both blind and a beggar. A sinner is both a blind person and a beggar. In the Garden of Eden, God entrusted all good things to both Adam and Eve, but because of greed, disobedience and short-sightedness, they lost everything, they became ashamed and literally beggars An adulterer, drug addict, arm robber, idolater and prostitute are all blind and beggars. Almost always they seem not to know the dangers ahead. They always refuse to heed the warning of the watchman. The adulterer is not satisfied with his wife or her husband. The prostitute would not want to marry because he/she does not want any commitment. She’s after money. She wants to eat her cake and still have it! (of course I put a ‘he’ because some men too can be termed prostitutes). All these people covet and covetousness is simply stealing. Have you not seen where even the wealthy still steals from the poor? He/she goes about collecting unneeded loans. And worst of all, this individual is willing to do anything to make money even if it means going to native doctors, herbalists and doing rituals. Conclusion As the Lord extends his invitation to you, he wants you to open up your heart and receive him in sincerity.
God bless you Evang. Oseh John B |