Choices--James, John And Bartimaeus Series

Scripture

“We are the choices that we have made.” That is the comment made by Meryl Streep’s character, Francesca Johnson, in The Bridges of Madison County. Every day you and I are faced with choices. And choices have consequences.

Many of our choices are relatively inconsequential. For example, it really doesn’t matter if you eat at MacDonald’s or Wendy’s. It really doesn’t matter if you drive a Ford or a Chevrolet. It really doesn’t matter if you wear a blue suit or a grey suit.

But some of our choices are really consequential. For example, it really does matter with whom you will spend the rest of your life in marriage. And it really does matter where you will spend your eternity.

Last week we looked at the choices King Herod made. He had an opportunity to choose to repent and do the right thing. But, unfortunately, he did not choose to do so.

Today, I would like us to look at the choices made by some other people in Mark’s Gospel. Let’s read Mark 10:32-52:

32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 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 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way. (Mark 10:32-52)

Introduction

The movie Flash of Genius is inspired by the true story of Dr. Robert Kearns (played by Greg Kinnear). After creating the intermittent windshield wiper, which he patented in 1964, Dr. Kearns pitched his idea to General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. All three companies turned him down, only to steal his idea and add it to all their automobiles. Dr. Kearns decided to take on the Ford Motor Company in a legal battle that no one believed he could win, but which he eventually did win. (He later challenged Chrysler, GM, and Mercedes, as well.)