Mark 10:42-52: a reflection

42Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. 44Whoever of you wants to become first among you shall be bondservant of all. 45For the Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 46They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. 47When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!” 48Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Jesus stood still and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!” 50He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 51Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may see again.” 52Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the way.

Jesus draws a sharp line between two ways of being great. The rulers of the nations lord it over people and throw their weight around. Among his followers it must be the reverse: whoever wants to be great must serve, and whoever wants to be first must be servant of all. He grounds this in himself. The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Then, almost as an illustration, comes blind Bartimaeus, shouting for mercy while the crowd tries to silence him. Jesus stops. He calls the man over and asks a startling question: what do you want me to do for you? The One with all authority makes himself available, bends toward a beggar, and serves him by giving back his sight. The teaching about servanthood walks straight into a living example.

Hear that same question asked of you today: what do you want me to do for you? Christ invites you to name your need plainly, as Bartimaeus did, without letting the crowd or your own hesitation quiet you. And having received his mercy, take up his pattern of greatness. Look for the person others are trying to hush, and be the one who stops, who serves, who bends down in love.

Lord Jesus, you came not to be served but to serve, and you gave your life as a ransom for me. Like Bartimaeus I bring you my need and ask for mercy; do not let me be silenced. And having received from you, make me great in the only way that matters, ready to stop for the overlooked and to serve. Amen.