32.   And they were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going before them: and they were amazed; and they that followed were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were to happen unto him, 33   saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests and the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him unto the Gentiles: 34   and they shall mock him, and shall spit upon him, and shall scourge him, and shall kill him; and after three days he shall rise again.
      35   And there come near unto him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying unto him, Teacher, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall ask of thee. 36   And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37   And they said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left hand, in thy glory. 38   But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I drink? or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39   And they said unto him, We are able. And Jesus said unto them, The cup that I drink ye shall drink; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40   but to sit on my right hand or on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for them for whom it hath been prepared. 41   And when the ten heard it, they began to be moved with indignation concerning James and John. 42   And Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they who are accounted to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43   But it is not so among you: but whosoever would become great among you, shall be your minister; 44   and whosoever would be first among you, shall be servant of all. 45   For the Son of man also came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Verses 32-34. Why was this journey to Jerusalem to mean so much? (Luke 9:51). Why were they amazed? (Comp. John 11:8). Why afraid? When had Jesus begun to tell them beforehand of His approaching suffering? (Matt. 20:17-19; Luke 18:31-34).

Verse 35. What was the thought uppermost in the mind of James and John? (Comp. Matt. 18:1). What was uppermost in Jesus' mind at that time? (See Golden Text.)

Verse 36. Did Jesus promise to grant a request before it was told Him?

Verse 37. What honors did they ask for themselves in the coming kingdom? Did they expect the kingdom at once? Luke 19:11. Were they right in the latter point?

Verse 38. Did they understand all that was involved in their petition? Do we always realize what is involved in our prayers? What was the "cup" Jesus was about to drink? (John 18:11). And what the "baptism"? (Luke 12:50) Did the path of His glory lead through green pastures only? (John 12:23-26; 1 Pet. 1:11).

Verse 39. Did they answer light-heartedly enough? What did Jesus then tell them? Where did James get his cup? Acts 12:1, 2. What is the condition of sharing His glory? (Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12).

Verse 40. Is there such a thing as sitting on Jesus' right hand and left when He comes to reign in glory? Are there degrees of honor in that day? (Luke 19:15-19). But whose prerogative is it to adjudge these honors? (John 12:26; 1 Cor. 4:5). Is that high position on Jesus' right and left prepared for somebody?

Verse 41. Why were the ten indignant? If they had not themselves been ambitious for the highest places would they have been so

Verses 42-44. Among whom is the [193] system of lordship in vogue unto this day? But is that order of things to exist among Christ's people? What, among them is the only road to exaltation? Who alone can become the first and highest?

Verse 45. Did Jesus come to be waited on and served? What then did He come for? How far did He mean to carry this principle of service in His own case? Note the added touches in Matt. 20:25-28.

PETER'S QUESTION (Mark 10:28-31).

      Do you remember last Lord's day's lesson? What had the Lord Jesus demanded of the rich young Ruler, and he refused? And what did Jesus say about it? Now Peter spoke up, as he frequently did. The young ruler wouldn't give up his all, Peter said in effect, but "lo, we have left all and followed thee." He added something more, which Matthew recorded, "What then shall we have?" (Matt. 19:27). Peter was very human. The young Ruler's failure caused an inward comparison, the result of which flattered and pleased Peter. He could not but mention the contrast. So good a man as he was, he though must surely have a great reward before him. Jesus answered him frankly: Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for the gospel's sake, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. But"--and herein lay the warning to Peter--"many that are first shall be last; and the last first." This latter fact Jesus illustrated with a parable which is preserved for us in Matthew's gospel (20:1-16)--the point of which is that they who dickered for a reward got as much as was promised them, and no more; whereas others who, not thinking that their short service would be of much worth, went to work with a heart and left the decision of the reward to their lord, and received much more in proportion. Not only the weight and amount of our service, but the quality and spirit of it counts.

BLIND BARTIMEUS (Mark 10:46-52).

      This little story is recorded for us by three of the evangelists, and is full of good teaching. Bartimeus, a blind beggar by the wayside, and hearing that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, "he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me." The multitude tried in vain to make him hush his loud crying; but instead he only cried the more louder. It was the test of his faith, and he stood the text. Then Jesus stood still and ordered them to call him. So they call him, saying unto him, "Be of good cheer: rise, he calleth thee." It is always a cause of good cheer when the gospel-call comes to a sinner. Jesus never calls us but for mercy and blessing. Bartimeus understood it well. He cast off his garments which would have impeded a quick response, he sprang up, he came to Jesus. It was Bartimeus' one chance, and he took it in a hurry. All of this must have been sweet pleasure to Jesus' heart. When he had come, Jesus asked him "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?"--not for His information, but to draw Bartimeus out. God like a definite prayer. Just to ask for mercy in general is not nearly so good as a definite statement of your need. The blind man said, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." "And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And straightway he received his sight, and followed him in the way." [194]

Source: Second Lord's Day Lesson of May. Lesson 6. May 12, 1918. Jesus Faces the Cross (Mark 10:32-45).