By Mark L. Lastimoso
Jesus walks going down south. Mark 10:1 succinctly reports, “He left that place [Galilee] and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan. And crowds again gathered around him; and, as was his custom, he again taught them.” This brief introduction reminds us that Jesus Christ was walking to meet people where they are. He wants to talk, to stay, and to be with that motley group of spectators, curious bystanders, and seekers.
Christ, the Son of the living God, untiringly reaches out to them. Among the crowd were different types of people and personality. Yes, there were different types of people that Jesus came to teach. Now, Mark puts it clearly that those who gathered around Jesus were in great need of answers. They have questions about some difficult issues concerning life. They were there in the presence of Jesus. They were not far from Jesus. They were near Jesus.
The Trouble Makers
The first group of people that Jesus was reaching was the Bureaucrats. We read from v 2, “Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife’?” The bureaucrat mentality asks the right questions. They are the learned gurus. They are the divine masters. They shape policy in their society. They want to be respected. They are the legal experts. What do they want from Jesus?
Warren B. Weirsbe observed that this people want to get Jesus into trouble. They requested for a biblical interpretation because they do not agree with Jesus. Bureaucrats are zealous of their position. They will do whatever it takes to protect their interest. They want to get rid of those who stand in their way. V 5, Jesus told them, “Because of your hardness of heart he [Moses] wrote this commandment for you.” Still Jesus mingled with this type of personality. The bureaucrats are the flamboyant, corrupt, and self-serving group of people.
The Believers
The second group of people that Jesus was reaching was the Believers. The bureaucrats were asking the question about marriage and divorce. Marriage is a physical relationship that will produce children. V 13, “people were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them.” The children were receptive. They were humble. They were dependent on others for help. Children cannot choose their parents. They were the innocent group of people. I call this group the believers.
Weirsbe says, “Unspoiled children are the ideal models for all who belong to Jesus.” What do they want from Jesus? They want to be blessed by the Lord. The believers wants benediction.
Information Receivers
Then Jesus was reaching to a businessman, big time, and a boss. V 17, “As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’” The businessman was successful. He was a tycoon. He owns stocks. His portfolio includes many properties. He was the investor. When he talks people listen. He has a unit in Wall Street. He does business by the rules. He was neat and clean. He is the biblical Mr. Suave.
The businessman was cool, young, and filthy rich. He has money. And money and possessions are not evil. Evil comes when money possesses you. He thought that wealth was a proof of God’s blessing. The businessman kept the law. But Jesus loving him asked him to do five important steps. Go, sell, give, come, and follow me. What do this businessman wants from Jesus? He wants information not salvation.
The bible says that you cannot serve two masters at one time. Choose you this day who you will serve.
Another group of people Jesus was reaching was the Bodyguards. I call the disciples of Jesus the bodyguards. Listen to Peter in v 28, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” In v 35, James and John bluntly requested, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” V 37, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”
The bodyguards will give their lives for their master. But what do they want from Jesus? They want compensation and coronation to God’s kingdom. Jesus said to them, “whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Real Need
Finally, Jesus was reaching the blind, the beggar, named Bartimaeus. William Barclay wrote, “For Jesus the end of the road was not far away. Jericho was only about 15 miles from Jerusalem.” “Jesus was on his way to the Passover.” Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. Bartimaeus was a cast away. He was marginalized by the society due to his condition. He was helpless. People by pass him. He was avoided. He was a great sinner in the eyes of many. He was an economic liability. He was an eye sore in the wayside. They waylaid him.
But when Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was walking, meeting people, talking to people, his heart was filled with anticipation. His soul was refreshed. His bones were nipped by hope filled news that Jesus is on his way. His mind was soaked in determination to be near Jesus. His being was moved. He wants to be touched by Jesus.
The Scripture records in v 47, “When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” His great need for help enveloped his fear of being embarrassed by others. His need of Jesus overshadowed the popular norm of being polite to the crowd. He defied ethics. He did not care what people say. In fact many sternly ordered him to shut up. No amount of put downs can discourage him. He cried out the more. He cried loudly.
Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” Bartimaeus responding to the call throw away his cloak. He does not need the titles of the bureaucrats. He does not want the money of the businessman. He does not desire compensation. His few belongings including the cloak or coat for winter he throws away just to come to Jesus. V 51, “Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’” Bartimaeus wants illumination. Jesus opened his eyes spiritually and physically.