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Three months ago, my second child was born. It was a wonderful to welcome our child into this world, but she arrived a week past her due date. We were hoping that she would be born before her due date, as her older sister was born two weeks before the due date. So as each day passed without any signs of labor, we naturally became anxious. I even got angry because I had taken my paternity leave from the start of July, and my daughter was born only towards the end of July. The reality is, sometimes, what we hope and expect do not turn out the way we want them to be.
In today’s passage from the Gospel of Mark, Jesus travels to the city of Jerusalem, which means we have almost arrived at the climax of Mark’s story. This passage is about Jesus’ identity as King and Messiah. I want to focus on what people expected from him as a messiah. After that, let’s reflect on what we hope and expect from God today. First, let’s pray.
[Read Mark 10:46-11:11]Blind Bartimaeus
I want to highlight details in this story and how it’s connected with prophecies in the Old Testament.
First, let’s look at the blind beggar called Bartimaeus. Of all the people that Jesus heals in the Gospel of Mark, this beggar is the only person whose name Mark records. Because of that, some people speculate that Bartimaeus continued to follow Jesus and become well-known in the early Church.
He cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” For Jewish people like Bartimaeus, the title “son of David” refers to the Messiah who will restore David’s kingdom and rule over Israel forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Chronicles 17:11-15; Psalm 89:21-38; Jeremiah 23:5-6). Bartimaeus was basically saying, “I believe you are the Messiah we have been waiting for!”
Next, he asked Jesus to heal his blindness. He must have heard many stories about Jesus’ miracles and felt confident that Jesus would help him too. Or perhaps he was just desperate enough to ask. Or, maybe he was familiar with Isaiah’s prophecies: that when the messiah comes, the eyes of the blind will be opened—you can read this in Isaiah chapters 29 and 35 (29:18, 35:5). Regardless, Jesus fulfilled his desire.
One last thing I want to point about Bartimaeus’ story is that this is the first time that Jesus allowed someone to publicly proclaim him as a messiah. Before this, Jesus had always tried to deter people from openly calling him the Jewish Messiah. But this has changed because he is now near Jerusalem, the place where he will fulfill his mission as the suffering messiah.
Entry into Jerusalem
The city of Jerusalem is believed to be at Mount Moriah. That mountain is where Abraham was willing to give up his son Isaac (Genesis 22:2). In the same way, this is where God would offer his son Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins (Romans 8:32).
Before coming to Jerusalem, Jesus first came to the Mount of Olives. The prophet Zechariah had said that the Mount of Olives is where God would reveal his kingship in the last days (Zechariah 14:4-9). There, Jesus asked for a colt to ride into Jerusalem. Most pilgrims entering Jerusalem would go on foot. But Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, which describes the king riding into Jerusalem.
But at the same time, Jesus didn’t ride a magnificence horse. He chose a “colt,” which could be a young donkey, to show that he came in humility and peace—not to lead a rebellion against the Roman Empire. Jesus’ choice was similar to King Solomon, one of David’s sons, who rode a mule into Jerusalem during his coronation in 1 Kings (1:32-34).
As Jesus rides into Jerusalem, there are thousands of pilgrims arriving for the Passover celebration. The crowd is excited and joyful. They spread cloaks on the road in front of Jesus, which is a way to show honor before a newly crowned king (2 Kings 9:13). They chant a line from Psalm 118: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (118:25-26)
This psalm was originally a song to thank God for military victory. The word “Hosanna” used to mean “save us!” but over time it began a shout of praise, similar to how Christians say “hallelujah” today. Lastly, the crowd also cried, “Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!” It seems they had hope in Jesus as the messiah who would kick out the Romans and restore David’s kingdom.
The passage ends more quietly. By the time Jesus enters the temple area, the crowd seems to have dispersed. The people’s enthusiasm was genuine, but how long could it last? As we will read another day, when Jesus was arrested by the Jewish leaders, there was a crowd who demanded for him to be crucified (Mark 15:11-14). I can’t help but wonder if some of these people used to be Jesus’ fans at first.
Wanting Jesus to free them from Roman occupation is a powerful hope. The higher our hopes are, the worse our disappointment. But as we read last month in Mark 10:45, Jesus’ mission was “to give his life as a ransom for many,” to be a servant-leader and not a conqueror who tramples on others.
As for us today, who do we expect Jesus to be? What do we expect him to do?
What do you hope from God?
I would like us to reflect on our own hopes and expectations for God. Maybe some of you don’t expect anything from God as you feel he is very distant or not even real. But I’m sure others of you have certain expectations, even if you’re not consciously aware of it right now.
Are you like Bartimaeus or the crowd in Jerusalem—hoping for a miracle, waiting for God to change your situation?
When my mother passed away two years ago, I was sad that God had not done more to help her. I wish that he had healed her stroke. Because she couldn’t talk, I wasn’t sure if she understood what I shared about Jesus and whether she accepted it.
It’s normal to feel disappointed with God. Because of a prayer that wasn’t fulfilled. Because of an unexpected crisis. Because our lives are hard. Because of passage in the Bible that we can’t understand. We expect God to act a certain way because he is supposed to be powerful and loving.
What should we do when we feel disappointed with God? There are three things that I have found helpful.
First, I think we should admit it to ourselves and to God. For example, “God, I’m upset that you let this happen.” The Psalms are full of such confessions and honest feelings.
Secondly, maybe we could take time to think about whether our expectations of God match what the Bible tells us about God. Very often Christians assume that God will make their lives easier if they trust in Him. Certainly, some parts of our lives become easier—but Jesus also said, “In this life, you will have trouble” (John 16:33). If we feel confused about what the Bible says, because it doesn’t seem to match with reality, this is a good time to ask other Christians what they think. This is what our church community is for—to help us think through our beliefs.
Thirdly, if we struggling with something in life—even if it a struggle to keep believing in God—we should ask God for help. Remember when Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus could have answered, “Tell me why God made some people blind and others can see. It’s not fair. I want God to explain his choice.” I think God doesn’t mind us asking “why,” but very often I don’t think He gives us an answer to that. But I believe he will answer our cry for help, just as Bartimaeus cried, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
So imagine God asking you, “What do you want me to do for you?” I believe He truly listens, no matter who you are or how you feel about him. Listening doesn’t mean he will help you in exactly the way you want. But he is a God of mercy and he will help.
A few years ago I suffered from strong anxiety, and I found it helpful to say this traditional prayer, which has been prayed by centuries of Christians: “Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” The prayer itself did not cure my anxiety, much less solve my problems miraculously. But it brought me nearer to Jesus during my moment of darkness.
Conclusion
To conclude today’s message: Is there something that you hoped to see from God? If God has yet to fulfil your expectation, how has that affected your feelings towards him?
On the other hand, if God has answered your desires, did it lead you to have more hope and trust in him? Or have you forgotten the good things he has done for you?
I pray that you are able to have a conversation with God like Bartimaeus did. He will meet you and be your source of help.
Let’s pray:
We praise you, Almighty God, for the acts of love by which you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. We remember Jesus entering the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, and was hailed as King by those who spread their garments and branches of palm along his way. Help us Lord to evermore hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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