You Go for Glory. But Christ Called You to Be Despised?
Summary of a Sermon by David Pao
The first half of Mark describes a series of miracles that establishes Christ’s power: two on sea crossing, six on healing, and two on feeding thousands (Mark 4:35; 5:1, 21, 35; 6:30, 45, 56; 7:26, 31; 8:1).
The second half recounts Christ’s crucifixion. Though Christ expressed that there would be no more signs from heaven, He still performed two more healing miracles. The second one was right before His Jerusalem entry, in which he healed a man named Bartimaeus. What can we learn from Bartimaeus? (Mark 8:12, 8:22, 10:46-52, 11).
Unlike with other recipients of healing, we are told Bartimaeus’s name. When Christ called and healed Bartimaeus, Bartimaeus threw aside his garment and followed Him. During those days, one’s garment was so important, you couldn’t even use it to guarantee a loan because you needed it to live (Mark 10:46-52).
Just before this miracle, Christ had predicted His suffering three times. The disciples reacted by seeking glory for themselves, with James and John asking Christ to be on His left and right sides in His glory. Their interest was in grandeur, not sharing in Christ’s shame (Mark 8:31, 9:31-34, 10:33-40).
Then came Bartimaeus, the outcast. When people rebuked him for shouting for Christ, he shouted more (Mark 10:47-48).
We seek what the crowd seeks, competing for riches, fame, and glory. Go to the graveyard. What can the dead hold onto? What did they take with them? Instead, Bartimaeus followed Christ, who would be despised, rejected, and crucified.
The twelve sought greatness and left Christ. In contrast, some lesser-known characters might have quietly followed Christ until the end, such as Bartimaeus, the widow in Mark 12, the woman in Mark 14, and the centurion in Mark 15.
We have heard of Christians such as Billy Graham and Dwight Moody. But have we heard of those who brought them to Christ, Edward Kimball and Molokai Ham? Who is greater in God’s eyes? Whom are we called to be?
We aren’t called to be great. We are called to abandon our garment, follow Christ, and participate in His mighty work. Don’t conform to the honor and shame of this world. Instead, seek to glorify God.
Summary of a sermon by David Pao:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfI53gBU3WI
The second half recounts Christ’s crucifixion. Though Christ expressed that there would be no more signs from heaven, He still performed two more healing miracles. The second one was right before His Jerusalem entry, in which he healed a man named Bartimaeus. What can we learn from Bartimaeus? (Mark 8:12, 8:22, 10:46-52, 11).
Unlike with other recipients of healing, we are told Bartimaeus’s name. When Christ called and healed Bartimaeus, Bartimaeus threw aside his garment and followed Him. During those days, one’s garment was so important, you couldn’t even use it to guarantee a loan because you needed it to live (Mark 10:46-52).
Just before this miracle, Christ had predicted His suffering three times. The disciples reacted by seeking glory for themselves, with James and John asking Christ to be on His left and right sides in His glory. Their interest was in grandeur, not sharing in Christ’s shame (Mark 8:31, 9:31-34, 10:33-40).
Then came Bartimaeus, the outcast. When people rebuked him for shouting for Christ, he shouted more (Mark 10:47-48).
We seek what the crowd seeks, competing for riches, fame, and glory. Go to the graveyard. What can the dead hold onto? What did they take with them? Instead, Bartimaeus followed Christ, who would be despised, rejected, and crucified.
The twelve sought greatness and left Christ. In contrast, some lesser-known characters might have quietly followed Christ until the end, such as Bartimaeus, the widow in Mark 12, the woman in Mark 14, and the centurion in Mark 15.
We have heard of Christians such as Billy Graham and Dwight Moody. But have we heard of those who brought them to Christ, Edward Kimball and Molokai Ham? Who is greater in God’s eyes? Whom are we called to be?
We aren’t called to be great. We are called to abandon our garment, follow Christ, and participate in His mighty work. Don’t conform to the honor and shame of this world. Instead, seek to glorify God.
Summary of a sermon by David Pao:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfI53gBU3WI