1. We’ve been hearing so many stories recently, that it’s refreshing to get into a story that reveals a little about the personality of the disciples. So…here’s James and John, acting like little kids that are trying to trick mom or dad into getting away with something. “We want You to do for us whatever we ask.” He he he…reminds me of being a kid.
2. Jesus doesn’t take the bait. He simply asks what they want. You can’t put anything past Jesus. Why try?
3. I’m assuming that this left and right hand thing would be pretty prestigious. Why do you think they wanted that?
4. Jesus, I think, is alluding to all the suffering that He is about to undertake. And, I guess, to be on His left and right in heaven, that’s the kind of commitment that it would take?
5. Like kids making a promise to take care of a dog (not knowing what it all entails), the brothers say sure. They have no idea.
6. Jesus explains that they will suffer, like Him. But, it’s not His place to decide who gets to sit on His right and left in glory. I’m assuming that God has prepared those places.
7. Imagine being the other ten disciples, hearing about this stuff. They think that John and James are getting a “prize” to suffer like Jesus. Man, they’re all clueless.
8. Jesus puts an end to all this posturing by talking about the posture that a person should take– to be a servant. It’s not about positions. It’s about serving.
9. Remember Jericho? That’s the place that had its walls fall down…
10. Interesting that we get a name for this blind guy, Bartimaeus. Normally, the people who receive miracles from Jesus are nameless.
11. That’s an awesome thing to shout.
12. I can’t believe that people tried to get this guy, who is showing authentic faith, to shut up. Some people…
13. This guy threw aside his beggar’s cloak, his identity. He jumped up to go to Jesus. This dude was excited.
14. The blind man tells Jesus that he wants to see. Of course, he does! Jesus tells him, without doing anything, that his faith has healed him. Jesus heals blind people in so many different ways.
15. I love that Bartimaeus followed Jesus. Maybe that’s how we know his name…
