Key events in today’s reading:

• Peter Declares that Jesus is the Messiah (Mark 8:27-30)
• The Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-13)
• Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight (Mark 10:46-52)
• Triumphal Entry (Mark 11:1-11)
• The Greatest Commandment (Mark 12:28-34)
• The Olivet Discourse (Mark 13)
• The Last Supper (Mark 14:12-26)
• The Crucifixion (Mark 15:21-47)
• The Resurrection (Mark 16:1-8)
• Birth of Jesus Foretold (Luke 1:26-38)

Verse that stood out: So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus – Mark 10:49.

Most of us, myself included, have spent much of our life trying to be a success in one form or another. We try to excel at work or in our social settings. We want to make a name for ourselves. We want enough money in the bank to feel secure. We want to do our best with what we’ve been given. Not all of this effort is bad. Success in this world does have the unintended byproduct of making it harder to heed God’s call sometimes.

Jesus invites two people to follow him in Mark 10. One followed. One did not. One had riches he could not let go of. The other owned only a cloak and he gladly tossed to the ground. One went off in sorrow. The other followed Jesus with joy. Prior to these encounters with Jesus, all would have preferred the life of the rich young man over that of the blind Bartimaeus. He was, after all, the one labelled a success in our world.

In the Bible? Well, at least for one chapter, the last become first, and the first last.

What success in your life might sometimes get in the way of your obedience to Christ?

What need compels you to drop all you own and follow Jesus?

For tomorrow:

• Cover to Cover: Luke 1:46-9:46
• Key Passage: Luke 6:27-45
• Verse of the Day: Luke 6:35