What Do You Want To See?
Seeing Jesus Clearly: Beyond Our Desires to True Vision
This sermon explores how we see Jesus, drawing from Mark 10:35-52. It contrasts the disciples' selfish desires for power with blind Bartimaeus's recognition of Jesus as the Messiah. Move beyond your personal agendas and see Jesus clearly. Just as Jesus met people where they were, He calls us to throw aside what hinders us and follow Him...
What Do You Want To See?
Our perspective shapes what we see, especially regarding Jesus. It goes beyond simple optimism or pessimism, suggesting that how we perceive the world around us is a reflection of how we see Jesus Himself.
Key Takeaways
- Your Perspective Matters: We often see what we want to see, whether negative aspects in the world or specific "things" that dominate our focus.
- The Good News: The message of Jesus, His way, and our lives as Christians should always embody "Good News."
- Seeing Jesus Clearly: How you see Jesus makes all the difference in the world.
- Beyond Selfish Desires: Be cautious not to view Jesus through the lens of personal agendas or desires for status and influence.
- Humility and Faith: True greatness in the Christian life comes from serving, not seeking power.
- Spiritual Sight vs. Blindness: Even those physically close to Jesus can be spiritually blind, while a physically blind person can possess profound spiritual insight.
- Leave Your "Cloak" Behind: Sometimes, to receive what Jesus wants for us, we must let go of our comforts and what identifies us, anticipating something far greater.
- Jesus Still Meets Us: Jesus meets us where we are, patiently teaching and compassionately healing.
- The Call to See Clearly: Our prayer should be to see Jesus, His will, and others through His eyes.
Comparison: James & John vs. Bartimaeus
| Aspect | James and John | Blind Bartimaeus |
|---|---|---|
| How they saw Jesus | Selfishly, as owing them, for personal status and power | As the true Messiah, Son of David, worthy of worship |
| Their request | To sit at His right and left hand in glory (position and power) | To receive his sight (a new future in Jesus) |
| Their understanding of suffering | Ignorant of the "cup" and "baptism" (suffering before glory) | Desired mercy, understanding dependency |
| Response to opposition | Displeased with others' desires for greatness | Cried out all the more when others tried to silence him |
| Outcome/Action | Jesus taught them about servant leadership | Received sight and followed Jesus on the road |
Conceptual Flow: From Blindness to Spiritual Sight
(Often through the lens of desires, negativity, or agendas)
(Jesus asks: "What do you want Me to do for you?")
- Selfish Sight (James & John): Desire for status, power, comfort
- Spiritual Sight (Bartimaeus): Desire for true identity, mercy, new future
(Leaving old ways/comforts behind)
(Devotion, spiritual commitment, seeing what God wants you to see)
The Good News is that Jesus meets us where we are and our spiritual blindness can be healed. When we truly see Jesus for who He is, our response becomes one of devotion and following Him.
How do you see Jesus today? Perhaps our prayer should be, "Lord, that I may see You clearly, see Your will, see others as You see them, and see myself through Your eyes."
The challenge of the Gospel is to see what God wants you to see.
