Friday, March 16, 2018

2018.03.16 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 10:46-11:11

Questions for Littles: Where had they come, and from where were they now leaving (v46)? Who was with Him? What was blind Bartimaeus doing? Whom did he hear was going by (v47)? What did he call Jesus? What did he ask Jesus to do? What did people warn him to do (v48)? How did he respond? What did Jesus do when He heard Bartimaeus (v49)? What did Jesus ask him in v51? What did Bartimaeus say? What does Jesus say made him well? Where had Jesus commanded him to go? Where does he go instead? When they reach the Mount of Olives, what does He send two disciples to get (11:1-6)? What do the disciples do to the colt for Jesus to sit on (v7)? What do the people do with their clothes and the branches for Jesus to ride on (v8)? What did the people cry out in v9-10? What does Jesus do at the temple in v11? Where does He then go and why?
In this week’s gospel reading, if we pay careful attention, we will notice the way of salvation: faith in Jesus Christ as the promised forever-King.

Last week’s passage had ended with “The Son of Man… came to give His life a ransom for many.” Now, in v52 Jesus literally says, “Your faith has saved you,” and then in vv9-10 the people are crying “Hosanna!,” which literally means “O, save!” 

But it is not just the truth of salvation that draws these passages together. They are also held together by the truth about how that salvation comes.

The son of Timaeus is interested in someone else’s parentage. He doesn’t refer to Jesus as Teacher or even Lord, but as Son of David. He recognizes that Jesus is that forever-King promised to David in 2Samuel 7. When Jesus heals him and tells him to go his own way, there is only one way that Bartimaeus wishes to go: whichever way Jesus, his forever-King, leads.

Then, in chapter 11, it is obvious that the people are treating Jesus as a King. The implication in the colt hunt is that there are people who now recognize that everything in the kingdom ought to be at the King’s disposal. The disciples consider Jesus too royal to ride bare upon an animal’s back. The people consider Jesus too royal for His steed’s hooves to touch the bare ground.

Why all this kingly treatment? v10 explains, “Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord!” Here again is the recognition that this is the forever-King of 2Samuel 7, Psalm 72, Psalm 2, etc.

I wonder, dear reader, if you are responding to Jesus as King? Surely, the first step is to believe in Him with similar faith to that which saved Bartimaeus. But are we going wherever He leads? Is His wish our command? Do we treat Him as royalty, offering that honor and homage and worship that is due unto Him? Is He our KING?!
In what way could you most improve responding to Jesus as your King?
Suggested songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage?” or HB496 “Jesus Shall Reign”

No comments:

Post a Comment