Privilege Seats
Mark 10:36 NCSB, “‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ He asked them.”
Cousin Camp
Cousin Camp is an annual event during the summer months when all the cousins gather to play games, laugh, swim and just have fun. It takes weeks to plan activities, food and schedule and, quite frankly, it takes weeks for Joe and I to recuperate.
Our oldest grandson is admired by the three younger grandsons so much so that there is a constant vying for position next to him. The boys struggle to be the one next to him at the dinner table, during activities and receive his favor. The oldest is a compassionate young boy that is so kind to each of the others and they enjoy him.
Fleshy Desire
In Mark 10, the Bible tells us that James and John, brothers, approached Jesus and told Jesus they wanted Him to do something for them. I can picture in my mind Jesus turning to them as they walked down the road and He said, “what do you want me to do for you?” Can you imagine? That would be like winning the grand prize! Jesus wants to know what He can do for them. My fleshly list would be long. James and John had only one request which was that they be the ones to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus in ‘Your glory’.So their fleshly desire of position with Jesus was the wrong request. Jesus informed them that those positions were not His to give and they had been prepared for someone else.
Mothers
In Matthew’s gospel, James and John’s mother is the one who asked on behalf of her sons. It makes me chuckle to think of the boldness of this mom to want what she perceives as the best for her boys. As a mother, we are so inclined to step in and try to fix a situation for our child. Sometimes I think we try to manipulate a situation too much. Children need to learn there are successes and failures. When they become adults, the time spent in prayer, in Jesus name, we try to persuade Jesus to help our child do things the way we think is best. The answer is not always what we desire, but Jesus is so kind and He wants us to come to Him.
I Want to See!
Later in this chapter of Mark, Jesus once again asks “what do you want Me to do for you?” A blind man by the name of Bartimaeus was calling out to Jesus. He shouted and called Jesus, Son of David, which indicates he believed that Jesus was King. Once Bartimaeus approached Jesus he called him “Rabbouni” in verse 51 which can be translated Master or Great One. Then Bartimaeus told Jesus, “I want to see!”
Jesus said, verse 52, “your faith has healed you”. The word healed in this verse is the same Greek word used for saved. We are all blind until we are saved and our eyes are opened to see Jesus as Master and King.
Have you told Jesus you want to see?
Paula Wallace
Further Reading
