PRAYERS FOR MERCY TRIUMPH OVER PRAYERS FOR POWER
SCRIPTURE:
“Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” 41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must 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 as a ransom for many. “Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight 46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So, they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
OBSERVATION:
Jesus dealt with two sets of requests. One from the sons of Zebedee and the other from the son of Timaeus. Jesus asked the sons of Zebedee, what do you want me to do for you? They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” From Jesus response to the sons of Zebedee, James and John, they were requesting a place of power, rulership, be in control, to lord over others and be in a place of importance. James and John’s request angered the other ten disciples, because they probably wanted the same position. Instead, Jesus said, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.
While the sons of Zebedee were praying for power to control others and to be first, the son of Timaeus was praying for mercy and healing. He just simply wanted his eyesight. He heard Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he began shouting. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Blind Bartimaeus was rebuked by many and was told to be quiet, BUT he shouted all the more. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and asked what you want me to do for you. Blind Bartimaeus simply said, “Rabbi, I want to see. Jesus, said, GO, YOUR FAITH HAS HEALED YOU. IMMEDIATELY HE RECEIVED HIS SIGHT AND FOLLOWED JESUS ALONG THE ROAD.
The question for me to ponder is, what do I want Jesus to do for me? Jesus answered to the sons of Zebedee, was different than his response to the son of Timaeus. Zebedee’s sons requested POWER TO CONTROL, while Timaeus’ son’s prayer was for MERCY. Many loves power, and few asks for mercy. Jesus’ response to James and John’s attitude acquiring power was a lengthy response, while His response to Bartimaeus was short and needs not explanation. It is clear from here that Jesus loves that I ask for mercy. Mercy must be first understood in my own life before I have power to help someone else. Mercy opens my heart more to serve others other than power to control and give direction to others. Jesus said to his disciple “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
The Son of man came to give mercy. True understanding of POWER when it’s basic foundation is built on Mercy. Power without understanding of mercy makes a person proud. Because power always focus within and gratifying the ones who exercise power. But to receive mercy is to walk in humility, and one is able to share the power to extend mercy for the good of others. What do you want Jesus to do for you? What are you praying for?
APPLICATION:
I am reminded today to pray for mercy more than for power. I want to have the mercy of Jesus in my life before I ask for his power to serve him. I know that leadership is associated much with power and position to be lord over others. But Jesus, want me to walk in mercy and humility and in need of him first than to ask for power to lead others. I am learning to day that power needs mercy as a foundation that will help not only me but others. I will pray for mercy daily.
PRAYER:
Jesus help me to desire mercy over power and position. Thank you for opening my eyes to see that you love mercy over power and justice. Thank you for your mercy extend numerous of times when I fail to walk as I should before you. Lead me and guide me and help me be a person that values your mercy rather than hunger for power. I pray all these, Amen!
