I am guessing many of you have been following the events unfolding between Russia and Ukraine. The daily images of destruction compounded by the growing humanitarian crisis as many Ukranian people flee their homes and ultimately their homeland. There's the uncertainty of not knowing if they will ever be able to return to Ukraine or whether families will be reunited with their husbands, fathers, and sons who remained behind to fight in the war. Vladimir Putin appears to be motivated among other things by pride and power, while leaving the Ukrainian people in a state of poverty and pain. During my devotional time I was reading about a similar contrast in Mark chapter 10. Two stories are juxtaposed to each other. One story emphasizing power and pride, the other poverty and pain. Jesus' reaction to both situations demonstrates His feelings about these issues.
A STARTLING REQUEST
In Mark 10:35-45, James and John, the sons of Zebedee make a request of Jesus. "Teacher," they said, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.".... "Let one of us sit at Your right and the other at Your left in Your glory." (Mark 10:35,37 NIV) The feeling one may experience is, "Are you kidding me?" The request comes across as selfish and flies in the face of Jesus' heart for humility and serving others. The brothers didn't appear to demonstrate any hesitancy in their request. They wanted to grab the opportunity and "strike while the iron was hot" with total disregard for the other ten disciples. It's the feeling one may get when you've been waiting in line for a long time for your turn and someone jumps the line or cuts in ahead of you. The text goes on to say, "When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John." (v.41 NIV) You think? I can imagine them thinking, "Thanks a lot my so-called "brothers." Jesus brings the Twelve together and quickly deflates the "pride and power" balloon as He emphasizes the attitude of servant-leadership. The ultimate example was to be illustrated by the Lord Himself as He tells them, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many." (v.45 NIV) The One who was worthy to be served instead became a servant for the sake of humanity.
A HUMBLE PLEA
The next story, Mark 10:46-52, leads us into Jericho where a man named Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside begging. The text tells us he was blind, so not only was he impoverished but in pain emotionally because of his loss of sight. The text does not tell us when or how he became blind so there is no sense of knowing how long he had been a beggar. However, in Jesus day, people who suffered from some kind of physical infirmity were often blamed as having sinned or experiencing the results of family sin similar to the story of the blind man whom Jesus healed in John chapter 9. The reaction to his calling out when he heard that Jesus was approaching indicated how rejected he was as a human being. We read, "Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mark 10:48 NIV) The message from the crowd was clear, "Jesus doesn't have time to waste on the likes of you!" Bartimaeus had nothing to lose, so he kept on shouting. To the crowds surprise, Jesus stops and calls him over. Can you imagine what Bartimaeus may have been feeling? Someone noticed, someone cared, and it was Jesus Himself! Jesus asks the same question of Bartimaeus that He asked of James and John in Mark 10:36 when they brought their request to Him. "What do you want Me to do for you?" (v.51a NIV) Instead of pride or power, Bartimaeus' request was simple and humble, "Rabbi, I want to see." (v.51b NIV) Jesus honors his request that flows from a heart of faith and restores his sight. Bartimaeus, then follows Jesus along the road. The text doesn't indicate if Bartimaeus became a life long follower of Jesus but it's hard to turn back when your poverty and pain has been transformed into freedom and deliverance.
GOD HAS THE FINAL WORD
I believe Jesus made it quite clear from these two stories that power and pride have no place in the kingdom of God. However, God is not unaware of situations where poverty and pain exists. So, as we continue to follow the events in Ukraine, it may appear that power and pride will seize the day. However, God remains Sovereign and He has the last word. In the Bible we're told, "Though the Lord is exalted, He looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, He sees them from afar." (Psalm 138:6 NIV); "He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed." (Proverbs 3:34 NIV); "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Matthew 23:12 NIV); and finally "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." (James 4:6 NIV) Keep praying for God's intervention and peace to prevail in Ukraine!
Shalom,
Pastor Sheree
