What would you have me do for you?

Can you imagine the Creator of the World asking you that question? How would you respond? What thoughts come immediately to mind? In Mark 10 we meet four individuals who were asked that question. Take a long look at each.

First is the rich young ruler. What must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus said you lack one thing; in essence you lack God being God. Instead money is your god and your idol. He left sad and sorrowful for he had an abundance of riches. Jesus pricked his heart and he was found wanting. Next James and John offer to us a glimpse into the truth of our hearts: power and prestige or perhaps security to be by the side of Jesus as He goes forth to conquer. Impetuous and bold, audaciously they say they are willing to share his fate and so they will. Contrast these with Bartimaeus of the same chapter and see that his only request was for healing of his eyesight. The rich young ruler and the sons of Zebedee sought what was tangible, what was temporal and would meet their self-interest.

The rich young ruler never saw the kingdom of God; the brothers did indeed see their words come to life. James will be the first apostle to be beheaded and John will live his life in exile. Be careful of what you ask for. But, Bartimaeus will become a follower of Jesus with no cloak, no strings attached, but full of God’s merciful touch to remind him daily that now he could be of service to the Master and others.

Jesus looked into the heart of all and what did he see? He loved the rich young ruler; he too loved James and John but warned them of the life ahead. But Jesus saw the one thing that is all He desires and he saw that in the blind Bartimaeus---faith. What does Jesus see when He looks within my heart? Does he see a spiritually undiscerning person whose life goal is to keep that which God has given to me for myself and no one else? Does he see that because of pride I seek power, prestige and position? Or does he look into my heart and see humility, faith and a desire to see Him alone? The rich young ruler left carrying his riches with him, sorrowful and sad. The brothers felt the sting of the other disciples when their request was revealed. Were they angry because the brothers beat them to what they also desired or were they indignant because they saw into the hearts of James and John a heart of selfishness? Bartimaeus felt the sting of the crowd but he was resilient, steadfast, unwilling to yield to their scolding, bold and desirous of one thing…to follow Jesus. Where am I?

You call me Teacher and Lord and you are right for so I am and as I served you so shall you serve and love one another. In this way the world will know that I am in you and you are in me.
For three years twelve men have left all to follow this Servant, Teacher, Lord and in this night as He once again removed his garment and used a teachable moment in washing their feet and serving supper questions surfaced. In this quiet moment as they watched and allowed Him to humbly serve them their minds swirled as He said “Where I am going you cannot follow but you will follow later.”

Place yourself around the table, join with the disciples for a moment in time and listen.
Peter: Why can’t I follow you right now?
Thomas: Lord we do not know where you are going, how do we know the way?
Philip: Lord show us the Father and it is enough for us.
Judas (not Iscariot): Lord, what then has happened that you are going to disclose yourself to us and not the world?

Questions, questions and more questions! We all have them. How do we find the answers? Listen to The Servant, Teacher and Lord:
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; (I am the answer to life)
Believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in in Me, believe because of the works themselves. (My works testify to my identity)
If you love me, you will obey my commandments (In obedience I will reveal myself to you more fully)
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and will cause you to remember everything I said to you. (I will not leave you as orphans…)

As you sit each day at the feet of Jesus you too may have questions:
Questions of the unknown future
Questions of who Jesus is
Questions of what it means to love and obey
Questions of why we don’t understand what we read

As I was reading and writing I reminded myself that I am soooo like these disciples! As I am being served the truth of His Word, I am comforted by the presence of the Helper, the Advocate, the Holy Spirit who has been sent to each believer to indwell him/her. But, He is not just all of those things, He is "my" Teacher who jogs my memory to other passages I have read, He is the one who guides my hands until I see the whole picture. Amazing.