Sermon on Humility | Taking the Road to Jerusalem

1. Jesus announces his intentions to go to Jerusalem.

1) They were on the road to Jerusalem.

2) Mark says that the disciples were amazed and afraid (Mark 10:32).

3) John 11:53 tells us that the Pharisees had taken counsel to put Jesus to death after the resurrection of Lazarus.

4) John 11:57 says that this was announced generally so that they could take him.

5) The disciples likely knew this and were concerned.

6) So Jesus takes the 12 aside to declare what his intentions are.

7) This must have been a shocking announcement.

2. Jesus announces that he was to be put to death.

1) Jesus had previously mentioned this (Matthew 16:21, 17:22-23).

2) He now mentions it in additional detail.

3) In Luke Jesus links these things with the fulfillment of the prophets (Luke 18:31).

4) His death would occur in Jerusalem.

5) He would be betrayed.

6) He would be in the hands of the chief priests and scribes.

7) They would condemn Him to death.

8) They would deliver Him to the gentiles.

9) They would mock Him.

10) Mark and Luke records Jesus as saying they would “spit” on Him.

11) They would scourge Him.

12) They would crucify Him.

3. Jesus announces the resurrection.

1) The last thing Jesus says, however, was that he would rise the third day.

2) So Jesus’ death would not be the end.

3) Luke 18:34 records, however, that the disciples understood none of these things.

4. A Lesson in Humility

1) Consider the humility Jesus needed to accept this course and submit to it.

2) Philippians 2:5-8.

1. A Request

1) Most scholars believe that Salome was the mother of James and John, the son of Zebedee (Mark 15:40).

2) She came to Jesus with her sons.

3) She worshiped Him.

4) She desired something of Him.

5) She asked that her two sons be given the right and left hands seats in Christ’s kingdom.

6) Mark 10:37 records her as saying in Christ’s “glory.”

7) It seems the disciples still did not understand the nature of the kingdom.

8) The right and left hand seats were usually associated with the “Prime Minister” and “Minister of War.”

2. A Response

1) Jesus tells them that they don’t know what they are asking about.

2) He asks them if they are able to drink His cup and to be baptized with His baptism.

3) Looking back on the cross we understand this to be figurative, a cup and baptism of sufferings.

4) The disciples may have understood it literally.

5) They replied that they were able.

6) Jesus told them that they would indeed experience this.

a. James died under the hand of Herod in Acts 12:2.

b. John suffered persecution until the end of his life (Revelation 1:9).

3. An Answer

1) Jesus finally answered the question.

2) It wasn’t His place to give these positions of authority.

3) Such authority belonged to His Father alone.

4) Who was it that would sit in these positions?

a. The first recorded Christian martyr was Stephen (Acts 7).

b. The second was James (Acts 12).

c. There were others.

4. A Lesson in Humility

1) The other 10 disciples were angry that these two would ask for this.

2) Jesus addresses the fundamental misunderstanding of the disciples.

3) It is the gentiles who exercise such authority and power as James and John requested.

4) This was not to be the nature of the coming kingdom.

5) Rather, Jesus measured greatness in terms of service.

6) Jesus Himself is the example of this.

7) He did not come to be served, but to serve by giving His life a ransom (1 Timothy 2:6).

a. A ransom is a price paid to purchase one out of bondage.

b. Jesus paid this price through His death on the cross.

8) Compare Isaiah 53:12, Hebrews 5:8-9.

1. An Encounter

1) Jesus and the disciples were departing Jericho.

2) A great multitude was with them.

3) They encountered two blind men on the outskirts of the city.

4) One of them was called the Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46).

2. A Cry

1) As Jesus passed the blind men shouted.

2) They said, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.”

3) The multitude rebuked them.

4) This made them cry out all the more.

3. A Response

1) Jesus called for them and asked them what they wanted.

2) Bartimaeus left his garment behind and came to Jesus (Mark 10:50).

3) They replied for their sight to be restored.

4) Jesus touched their eyes and they could see.

5) He said in Luke 18:42 “Thy faith has saved thee.”

6) They followed him glorifying God.

4. A Lesson in Humility.

1) Those who humble themselves will be blessed.

2) James 4:6 “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”