Though in our bible study we brought out the contrast of the faith of Bart versus the faith of the rich young man (which I still think is a more suitable contrast based on the context), nonetheless Tim Chester has a slightly different take on the stories.
Notice that in both incidents, Jesus asked exactly the same question to both James/John (10:36) and Bart (10:51): "What do you want me to do for you?". It seems that Mark when he wrote the gospel was trying to draw us to see that parallel, that though Jesus asked exactly the same question in both incidents, the reply was different.
James and John requested for glory (10:37) but Jesus said that they will suffer like He would (10:39), that the pattern for following Him is suffering followed by glory. Yet they didn't see it, especially right after Jesus predicted His death for the third time, while they were on their way to Jerusalem where Jesus would face persecution and suffering and death (10:34). They were blind to that truth. Rather they should have been like Bart who replied to Jesus: "I want to see". They need to see that the Christ must suffer, see the importance of the way of the cross and to see the pattern of suffering followed by glory.
As for Bart, we were told simply that Bart requested to see, and Jesus made him see, and he followed Jesus (10:51-52). Whilst Bart was never mentioned again...we know that Jesus was on the way to the cross, and Bart "followed Jesus along the road" (10:52).
No glory without the cross.
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Mark 10:34
- Keith
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