WHAT IS YOUR DESIRE?

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)

DATE: SATURDAY, 18TH MARCH, 2023 

TOPIC: WHAT IS YOUR DESIRE?

TEXT: MARK 10: 33-52

33.  "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles;

34.  "and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again."

35.  Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask."

36.  And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?"

37.  They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory."

38.  But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?"

39.  They said to Him, "We are able." So Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized;

40.  "but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but [it is for those] for whom it is prepared."

41.  And when the ten heard [it,] they began to be greatly displeased with James and John.

42.  But Jesus called them to [Himself] and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

43.  "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.

44.  "And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.

45.  "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

46.  Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging.

47.  And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

48.  Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

49.  So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you."

50.  And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

51.  So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight."

52.  Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

MESSAGE: 

Many a time, we may be tempted to see the request of James and John as selfish and ungodly. These two brothers seemed to be fully aware of a place called heaven or the coming kingdom of God. They understood that life on earth is temporal, and sought for a better position in the everlasting Kingdom of God. Have you ever thought of what becomes of your life after here? They were willing to sacrifice everything to earn a good position in the kingdom of God (vs.38-39). What are you willing to do for the sake of the Kingdom of God?

Jesus never rebuked them for their request. He made them know the price of what they were demanding and who has the power to grant their request. He only calmed other disciples who became displeased with the request of the two brothers. Hence, it is important to address disputes whenever it arises. The apostles resolved the one that emerged in their own time (Acts 6: 1-7). Do you have a dispute to address? Do it today. The healing of the blind Bartimaeus in our text, shows the awesome power of God to fulfil our desires. What is your desire? Remove all garments of obstacles, discouragements from people like blind Bartimaeus and come to Jesus and He will change your distress to His glory.

PRAYER:  

O Lord, give me a heart that seeks after Your Kingdom. Amen.