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Verses 32-34. And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them; and they were amazed; and as they followed they were afraid. He saw their fear and tells them deliberately what is going to happen to Him. We afterward see how little they received it. "Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they shall mock Him, and shall scourge Him, and shall spit upon Him, and shall kill Him; and the third day He shall rise again." He was to die; first His own people would condemn Him, then the Gentiles would put Him on the cross, but the third day He would rise again.
Verses 35-40. James and John make a special request, "Grant unto us that we may sit, one on Thy right hand, and the other on Thy left hand, in Thy glory." They knew that He was the King of Israel, they had seen Him on the mount of transfiguration, their faith owned Him. They did not seem to understand that His sufferings must come first. With selfish motives James and John seek to get the nearest and chief places, and perhaps they thought they deserved them. The Lord turns it to instruction; they would share His sufferings. He said unto them, "Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? And be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" And they said unto Him, "We can." He replied, "Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: but to sit on My right hand and on My left hand is not Mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared." He is alone in the work of atonement, but they could suffer rejection and martyrdom, and they would; the place in the kingdom would be given to the ones for whom it was prepared, and as the One who will give it knows to whom to give it according to what they have passed through in this world for Christ.
Verses 41-45. The. ten heard it and began to be much displeased (indignant). That showed the ten were just as selfish as the two. Jesus as the lowly servant,. would not take the right to give James and John their places, and now the same lowly One teaches them the lesson of lowly love. The world seeks to be great in its own eyes and in each other's sight, but the servants of Christ must be like Christ, the greatest is the servant of all. He came down to the lowest place. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 2:55Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (Philippians 2:5).)
"Lo, My face to shame and spitting
Did I turn for thee;
If thou art the least and lowest,
Then remember Me.”
“For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." He who is the truest servant of Jesus is small in his own eyes, and he is the greatest, because he is more like his Lord in humility and love.
Verses 46:52. They came to Jericho. He is now nearing the end of His earthly journey. It is the city of the curse, and we are reminded what the Lord passed through on the cross for sin. (Josh. 6:26,26And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it. (Joshua 6:26) Gal. 3:1313Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Galatians 3:13).) His ministry as prophet is over. He has yet to present Himself as Son of David, the King. We might find Israel's picture in the young, moral, law keeping, rich ruler (verses 17-22), but here is the picture of the blind and, therefore, needy believing remnant-a picture, too, of a needy sinner. "And as He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimeus, the son of Timeus, sat by the highway side begging." Here is a picture of need. "And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry cut, and say, Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me." There was true faith, the despised Nazarene was to him the king, the true Son of David. Opposers he had plenty, for many charged him to hold his peace: he was only a blind beggar, not of any importance, but he cried the more a great deal, "Thou Son of David, have mercy on me." Yes, there is mercy and grace for those who do not deserve blessing, but only judgment; it is abundant mercy for the Jews. (1 Peter 1:33Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3).) Jesus stood still at the call of a blind man. It was in the Lord's heart of love to bless him. Jesus commanded him to be called, and willing servants carry the message. "Be of good comfort, rise; He calleth thee." And he, casting away his garment, rose and came to Jesus. He lets nothing hinder him, away goes his garment. The young man wrapped his tighter around him (verse 22), and turned back to eternal destruction; the blind man let everything go. (Phil. 3:4-74Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (Philippians 3:4‑7).) Jesus said unto him, "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?" Well He knew, but He loves to heat' us tell Hint our need. And the answer was ready before the request was made. so will it be again with needy Israel. (Isa. 65:2424And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24).) "Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Bartimeus answered, "Lord, that I might receive my sight." And Jesus said unto him, "Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole." And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. He is like Paul again. (Phil. 3:77But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (Philippians 3:7).) The laying aside of hindrances, was true at his conversion, but Verses 8 to 14 tell us he found in Christ an all-absorbing object for his heart. So with the blind man, Jesus said, "Go thy way," and in perfect liberty he follows Jesus. This is the true good works, scripture speaks of, telling of gratitude to Him who loved us first; and by it serving according to the law of liberty.
"O God! What cords of love are Thine,
How gentle, yet how strong!
Thy truth and grace their strength combine,
To draw our souls along.
Drawn by such cords we'll onward move,
Till round the throne we meet,
And, captains in the chains of love,
Embrace our Savior's feet.”
(Continued from page 107)