Royalty Realm – “I Want To See”

It is a different place we find ourselves in these days, my husband and I. We have not been here before. Our consolation is that Jesus has. And so our dependence on Him deepens with every step.

We are midway through our transition year after my leaving a long career of employment with others covering the necessities of life – ie. a paycheck and benefits. Though the calendar is skipping merrily along through the months, walking with Jesus in this different place has a slow-motion measure to it.

After commiserating together for awhile, I think we hit on something this past weekend…

We are strolling with the Teacher in uncharted areas of His kingdom, and there are things He wants us to see and notice and learn. After all, we have not been here before.

***

In Mark chapter ten, Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to be delivered up. Accompanied by the disciples and those who followed, He had this uncanny way of confounding them and making some afraid. This was an unpredictable Jesus at best, and they didn’t want to ponder the worst.

Ever the Teacher, He drew aside the Twelve and began to share with them what they could expect next. This wasn’t the first time for these slow learners. He took the pains to carefully spell it out…again.

He had just finished giving the details of His upcoming betrayal, death, and ultimate resurrection when the Sons of Thunder approached Him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” (Mark 10:35) Personally, I think that was a barbecue request – bold and a little saucy. Jesus? He merely asked them, “What do you want me to do for you?”

They told Him what they wanted. And He told them they didn’t know what they were asking for. Recognizing a teachable moment, He proceeded to break up the indignant melee that ensued when the other ten got wind of James’ and John’s audacity. One more time, He took the occasion and the pains to course correct the thinking of these twelve companions of His.

There is a wonderful feature to the written Word of God. It provides story after story of what not to do.

***

A few verses later, Jesus and His entourage arrived in Jericho. As they prepared to leave the city, another ruckus was being raised, this time by a blind man sitting on the side of the road. When he heard Jesus was passing by he began shouting “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” What he was really saying was, “Jesus, deal kindly with me.” And all the while, others were telling him to be quiet.

Why is it that when you find yourself in the proximity of Jesus and begin to cry out for Him, there are those ever ready to rebuke and shush you? James’ and John’s request may have been motivated by misguided hearts that wanted to remain close to Jesus in the glorious hereafter. Or, it may have been selfish ambition, pure and simple. Whatever the motivation, they wanted to be honored. Jesus told them “honor” rhymes with “serve.”

Now, here was Bartimaeus just wanting Jesus to notice him. And notice him He did. Jesus stood still and commanded that Bartimaeus be called to Him. With eagerness, he threw off his cloak and ran, unseeing, in the direction of Jesus.

Then the infamous question: “What do you want me to do for you?”

Same chapter, same question, different response.

Like blind Bartimaeus, my husband and I are answering that question these days, “Teacher, I want to see.”

Bartimaeus was granted his sight because of his faith. The first thing he did with his recovered sight was follow Jesus, accompanying him on the journey already in progress.

Having never been here before, this place may be different for us and not clearly marked, but we are in good company. When Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?”

How will we – and you – reply? “Do whatever we ask,” or “I want to see”?

With eyes of faith that heals,

Gracefully Free & Companions

(Read the whole story in Mark 10)