Praise by Expecting and Following
Mark 10:46-52
SS Lesson for 09/19/2021
Devotional Scripture: John 9:24-41
We define mercy as “an act of compassion toward someone who is in need.” Mercy by definition is not earned; it is freely given, without compulsion. We may ask for mercy in a stressful situation, but true mercy is not compelled. It is granted. Today’s lesson features a man whose life was wretched. But when he knew the Son of God was nearby, he immediately asked for mercy. He understood his need, his helplessness, and his possible healing through Jesus. Blindness was a familiar condition in the ancient world, with the Bible itself using some form of the word blind dozens of times. The Papyrus Ebers, an Egyptian medical text of about 1500 BC, identifies various diseases of the eyes and suggests numerous remedies. These take the form of potions—ingredients of which are decidedly not prescribed today! In some cases, Egyptian physicians were advised to paint the mixture on the eyes of the patient, using a bird’s feather. As with many supposed remedies, healing may have occurred in spite of the treatment and therefore given the impression of effectiveness. But from our current vantage point, there was no reliable cure for blindness in Jesus’ day and little understanding of its causes. Many believed that blindness was a curse from God for some type of sinful behavior. The sins of the parents were thought to affect their children, causing them to be born blind (see John 9:1–2). The ancients knew that some diseases could leave a sufferer with damaged vision or blindness (see Leviticus 26:16). Such outcomes we now know may result from diseases like malaria or measles. In other cases, blindness might be the result of injury or could be progressive with age (such as cataracts or macular degeneration; the last line of Ecclesiastes 12:3 uses figurative language to describe failing eyesight). In all cases, blindness was economically and socially debilitating. For example, blind men could not serve as priests (Leviticus 21:16–18). Those afflicted with blindness had little opportunity for employment and were reduced to begging or depending on family support to survive. The Jewish law forbade taking advantage of the blind (Leviticus 19:14; see Deuteronomy 27:18), but no amount of legal protection could restore sight. The parable of the great banquet includes blind people as among the most unfortunate (Luke 14:21; see also 14:13). Blindness and sight in a spiritual sense are important themes in the book of Mark. When questioned on the meaning of the sower parable (Mark 4:1–20), Jesus revealed that there would be people who saw what Jesus did but would not understand the good news he brought (4:12). Later, when Jesus was in a boat with the Twelve, he chastised them for their failure to understand his person and mission, saying, “Do you have eyes but fail to see” (8:18). Mark, the author, left the question open-ended so that his readers might answer it too. In essence Mark asks: “Have you read about Jesus this far and still don’t see who he is or understand the spiritual lessons he is teaching?”
So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight."
This is the last healing miracle Mark recorded. It concludes his special section on discipleship (Mark 8:31-10:52) and is an excellent illustration of its meaning (cf. 10:52b). It also signifies that the disciples, despite their misunderstandings (cf. 8:32-33; 9:32; 10:35-41), would have clear sight (i.e., understanding) as Jesus opened their eyes to the full implications of His messiahship. The vividness of the account (e.g., v. 50) suggests that it was an eyewitness report from one such as Peter. The three Synoptic Gospels record this event with some divergent details. Matthew mentioned two blind men (Matt. 20:30), and Luke placed the incident at Jesus’ approach to Jericho instead of His exit (Luke 18:35). Probably two blind men were involved but Mark and Luke focused on one, perhaps the more vocal or well known. Also there were two Jerichos—an old and a new city—and the healings could have occurred as the crowd was leaving old Israelite Jericho (Matt. 20:29; Mark 10:46) and entering new Herodian Jericho (Luke 18:35), though the evidence that old Jericho was inhabited at that time is not certain.
10:46. Jesus and His disciples left Perea (cf. v. 1), crossed the Jordan, and came to Jericho in Judea. The Jericho of New Testament times, built by Herod the Great as the site for his winter palace, was about 5 miles west of the Jordan River, 1 mile south of the Old Testament city (Josh. 6; 2 Kings 2:4-5, 15-18), and 18 miles northeast of Jerusalem. As they and a large crowd, probably Passover pilgrims en route to Jerusalem (cf. Ps. 42:4; Mark 14:1-2), were leaving Jericho, presumably the old city, they saw a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, an Aramaic name meaning the Son of Timaeus. Only Mark recorded his name, suggesting that perhaps Bartimaeus was known in the early church. He was sitting beside the road begging, a common sight near wealthy Jericho.
10:47-48. When Bartimaeus was informed that Jesus of Nazareth (cf. 1:24) was passing by, he clamored for His attention and relentlessly shouted for Jesus to have mercy on him (cf. Pss. 4:1; 6:2). No doubt he had heard reports that Jesus restored sight. When many people kept rebuking (cf. Mark 10:13) him to silence him, he cried out more intensely. They probably regarded him as a nuisance and may have resented any possible delay. They may also have been opposed to what he was shouting. Son of David, occurring here for the first time in Mark, designated the Messiah as David’s Descendant (2 Sam. 7:8-16) and became a recognized title of the Messiah-King (cf. Mark 12:35-37; also cf. Isa. 11:1-5; Jer. 23:5-6; Ezek. 34:23-24; Matt. 1:1; 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; Rom. 1:3). Bartimaeus’ using that title probably indicated that despite his physical blindness he believed Jesus of Nazareth was Israel’s Messiah, in contrast with the blind unbelief of most Jews. Later he addressed Jesus more personally (“Rabbi,” Mark 10:51) and followed Him (cf. v. 52b). Jesus did not silence him, implying He accepted the title.
10:49-52a. Jesus did not ignore Bartimaeus but directed that he be called, a reproof to those (perhaps including the disciples) who were attempting to silence him (cf. v. 14). In Jesus’ determined movement toward Jerusalem He had time to serve someone in need (cf. vv. 43-45). The crowd encouraged the beggar: Cheer up! (tharsei, “be courageous”; cf. 6:50) On your feet! (lit., “rise”) He’s calling you. This motivated Bartimaeus to toss aside his outer cloak which was spread before him to collect alms, jump up, and come to Jesus. Jesus’ question was not designed to get information but to encourage Bartimaeus to articulate his need and express his faith. Bartimaeus’ simple response, Rabbi, I want to see, declared his confident trust in Jesus’ ability. “Rabbi” (Rhabbouni) is an emphatic, personal form meaning, “My Lord, my Master” (cf. John 20:16). Jesus acknowledged his faith: Go... your faith has healed (sesōken, “saved”) you. Faith was the necessary means, not the efficient cause of his healing (cf. Mark 5:34). Bartimaeus’ physical “salvation” (i.e., deliverance from darkness [blindness] to light [sight]) was an outward picture of his spiritual “salvation” (cf. Ps. 91:14-16; Luke 3:4-6).
10:52b. Immediately (euthys, cf. 1:10; contrast 8:22-26) Bartimaeus received his sight and began to follow Jesus along the road (en tē hodō, “on the way”; cf. 1:2). Though he accompanied Jesus to Jerusalem, perhaps to offer a thanksgiving sacrifice in the temple, he also became a “follower” in the sense of a loyal disciple (cf. 8:34). Bartimaeus pictured discipleship clearly. He recognized his inability, trusted Jesus as the One to give him God’s gracious mercy, and when he could “see” clearly he began to follow Jesus.
(Scriptural Text from the New King James Version; cross-references from the NIV)
46 Now they came to Jericho. as He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging.
47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;
24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.
9 The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.
6 Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
4 I said, "O Lord, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against you."
16 Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.
13 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you."
50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
51 So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight."
52 Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.
5 Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. 12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road — the desert road — that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked. 31 "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them." 21 Peter went down and said to the men, "I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?" 22 The men replied, "We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say." 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along.
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men — robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' 13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 14 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
5 Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' 7 "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" 4 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
BARTIMAEUS: A BLIND MAN WITH 20/20 VISION
Intro: They say that there is no one so blind as he who will not see. I suppose that is true for there are many people walking around in the world today who's eyes work just fine, yet they cannot seem to see that the way they are living their lives will eventually lead them into eternal damnation. In this story, we are presented with a man who was absolutely blind. Bartimaeus could see nothing with the physical eyes with which he had been born, yet he could see things one a spiritual level that others were blind to. This man was blind physically, but he had 20/20 spiritual vision.
As I look out over this congregation this morning I am reminded again of the truth that not everyone who came in here today can see. Oh, your eyes work fine. You didn't have to rely on a white cane, a seeing eye dog, or someone with vision to assist you this morning. However, there are those among us that simply cannot see. Though they can see the world around them, they cannot see the truth of God's love and plan for their lives. Why? They are blind spiritually.
This morning, I intend, from this passage, to help you see that Jesus is who you need. I believe that a close examination of the Scriptures will help restore your spiritual vision and will help you to make the decision for Jesus that you need to make. All I ask from you is that you allow the Lord the opportunity to speak to your heart and that you respond as He leads you today. If you will do this, then you can leave this place in a right relationship with God and possessing 20/20 vision, at least spiritually. Please join with me for these few minutes as we look together at Bartimaeus: A Blind Man With 20/20 Vision.
I. V. 46 HIS PITIFUL CONDITION
A. He Was Blind - Apparently, this condition was one with which he had been born. Blindness was a common condition in Bible times, because of various diseases and sanitary conditions.
B. He Was A Beggar - Because of his Physical condition Bartimaeus was prevented from finding and performing a job in order to earn a living. In that day, there were no welfare programs or charitable institutions who would help him. There was no social security or other government programs to which he could turn. Bartimaeus was totally dependent upon the generosity of others in order to survive. His was a pitiful and wretched condition!
C. In his condition, Bartimaeus is a good portrait of every person who is outside Jesus and lost in sin. Like Bartimaeus, the lost person is spiritually blind, 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 4:18. They are blind to their condition, to their sin and to their impending eternal doom. Only Jesus can open your eyes! Like Bartimaeus, the lost person is also a spiritual beggar. They can do nothing, and they have nothing within themselves to produce salvation. They are simply sitting by the highway side begging as Jesus passes by.
I. His Pitiful Condition
II. V. 47-49 HIS PERSISTENT CRY
(Ill. Even though Bartimaeus was blind, he was able to se things that others all around him, who had their vision, could not see. In these verses, Bartimaeus proved that even though he was blind, he still possessed 20/20 spiritual vision.)
A. He Recognized Who Jesus Was - Apparently, Bartimaeus had heard about the miracles preformed by Jesus. He must have heard about the lepers, the lame, the demon possessed, even the dead that Jesus had touched and made whole again. As he sat by the highway, he heard the travelers as they talked one to the other. He had heard about Jesus and he knew that what Jesus had done for others, He could do for Bartimaeus!
(Ill. This is the first step in coming to Jesus for your own salvation. You must recognize who He is and know that what He has done in the lives of others, He can do for you. Our duty is to accept what the Bible teaches about Jesus. When we do, we can be certain of salvation - Rom. 10:9.)
B. He Realized What Jesus Could Do - Bartimaeus exercised faith in Jesus, which is the key ingredient for receiving anything from God, Eph. 2:8-9. Beyond that, this poor, blind man saw things that most of the people who were in that multitude never saw. In fact, He saw some things that many in this building have never seen. Some things that you need to see today.
1. He Was That His Greatest Opportunity Had Come - For years this man had sat by the highway begging. He was helpless and in a hopeless condition. As Jesus passed by, it dawned on Bartimaeus that if Jesus was who He claimed to be, this was the day of his greatest opportunity. As a result, he began to cry out for the Lord to have mercy on him. Bartimaeus, though blind, was able to opportunity when it stared him in the face.
(Ill. There are those in this room this morning who need to see that today may well be the greatest opportunity you have ever faced in your life. You have the opportunity this morning to come to Jesus and be forever saved by His grace. If you ignore this opportunity and choose to go on in your sins, then there nothing in front of you but Hell, 2 Cor. 6:2.)
2. He Saw That This Opportunity Could Easily Pass Him By - If Bartimaeus had sat still that day and said nothing, then the next day would have been like all the others before. He would have sat by the road begging until he died. He may have been blind, but even he could see that unless he did something about this situation, he was doomed to a life of misery and darkness.
(Ill. Every lost person in this room needs to understand that Jesus Christ loves you He died on the cross to save you and He will do just that today if you will only come to Him. However, He will not force Himself into your life. If you do not receive Him, then you will never be saved. If God has been calling you to come to Him, I challenge you obey that call. If you refuse, then this golden opportunity will certainly pass you by.)
3. He Saw That This Opportunity Might Never Return Again - Apparently, Jesus had never passed that way before and for all Bartimaeus knew, He might never pass that way again. He knew that if he were going to receive help from Jesus, then he had to call on Jesus while He was near.
(Ill. Again, lost friend, you need to understand that if you allow salvation to pass you by this morning, you may never have the opportunity to be saved again. You see, you cannot be saved any time you want to be saved. The only time you can come to the Lord is while He is calling you to come to Him. When you feel that pressure on your heart. When you know you are lost and know that you are headed to Hell and want to change, then that is the time to come to the Lord, John 6:44. To delay may mean that you will never have the opportunity to be saved again - Gen. 6:3. Isaiah's advise is still good today - Isa. 55:6.)
4. He Saw That Christ's Way Was Far Better Than His Own - After Bartimaeus had received healing from the Lord, he was told to "go thy way." However, he saw that Christ's way was a far better way than his own and he followed Jesus and according to Luke 18:43, he praised the name of the Lord as he followed Jesus in the way.
(Ill. There is a lesson here for every person who has been saved. Especially those who have come to Jesus in recent days. After salvation, there will be a change of direction in your life, 2 Cor. 5:17.)
C. He Repeated The Cry - Those who stood by, and those who were traveling with the Lord tried to make Bartimaeus stop crying out to the Lord. However, his determination was so great to get help from the Lord that he continued to cry out, and in fact, he simply got louder. He was not hindered or bothered by the opinions of others. He needed something from the Lord and he was determined to get it. Regardless of what anyone thought or did!
(Ill. My friends, there is nothing or no one worth going to hell over. Situations, circumstances and people may try to stand in your way and keep you from Jesus, but you should allow nothing to keep you away from the Lord who loves you and wants more than anything to save your soul. Be like Bartimaeus and get serious about coming to Jesus. He is worth any price. He is worth any loss. He is the only One who is worthy of your soul. I know this, when you get serious about coming to Him, then nothing, not family, not friends, not some pleasure or pet sin, nothing will be able to keep you from getting to Jesus.)
D. He Received A Response - When Jesus heard the cry of this beggar, He stopped in His tracks and called for Bartimaeus to come to Him. What a glorious moment that must have been for this poor, blind beggar! His faith was honored and he received an audience with the Lord Jesus.
(Ill. May I say to every lost person in this auditorium today that Jesus Christ is not too busy to hear your cry either. In fact, there is nothing in this universe more important to Him than you are. Remember the price that He paid for you. He proved His love for you when He climbed Calvary and paid for you sins on the cross. I promise you that if you will cry out to Him, He will save your soul today!)
I. His Pitiful Condition
II. His Persistent Cry
III. V. 50 HIS PERSONAL COST
(According to this verse, when Jesus called, Bartimaeus got up to go. The Bile says that he cast away his garment. This means that he threw aside his outer coat and jumped up to go to Jesus. This coat must have been very valuable to Bartimaeus. He must have known that someone else could easily pick it up and carry it away. He must have known that he could have lost it and this man would not have had the means to replace it. However, he counted the cost and was willing to pay whatever price was necessary just to get to Jesus.)
(Ill. I do not want anyone to leave here today under the impression that coming to Jesus is without personal cost. Sometimes the price we are called on to pay is very high. Some have lost family and friends over a decision for Christ. Some have given up home and even their lives because they chose to follow the Lord Jesus. Everyone who comes to Him has to give up something. Some sin or some wicked relationship, something. You simply need to know that however high the cost may be that you have to pay, in the end that cost is very cheap when compared with the worth of your soul - Mark 8:36-37. Do not be afraid of the cost, what a person receives from Jesus far out ways any price we may be called on to pay.)
I. His Pitiful Condition
II. His Persistent Cry
III. His Personal Cost
IV. V. 51-52 HIS POWERFUL CURE
(Ill. When Bartimaeus came to Jesus, he was asked a very important question and his response was one of pure faith. He trusted Jesus to heal him and then, the impossible happened, the blind man received his sight was restored to wholeness at the word of Jesus. We need to understand that when Jesus said "hath made the whole" that this phrase literally means, "has saved you". Bartimaeus got far more than physical healing that day, he also got spiritual healing as well.)
(Ill. This is what happens when the lost person responds to the Gospel of grace. Immediately, when faith is exercised, the power of God moves in that person's life and God saves them instantly, completely and eternally! In this day of religion and self-righteousness, we need to remember that salvation only comes about through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Acts 16:31! If you are trusting anything other than Jesus for you salvation, then you are in for a rude awakening when you leave this world. It is Jesus Christ or it is nothing!)
I. His Pitiful Condition
II. His Persistent Cry
III. His Personal Cost
IV. His Powerful Cure
V. V. 52 HIS PREFERRED COURSE
(Ill. As I mentioned a moment ago, after Bartimaeus was healed, Jesus told him to go his way. Bartimaeus, however, wanted to be near to One who had healed him and had saved him. This is a theme repeated several times in the Gospels. For instance, I think of the Gadarene Demoniac in Mark 5 who wanted to go be with Jesus after he was healed and saved.)
(Ill. This simply reminds us that when salvation comes into a life, that there will be a desire for the things of God. The saved person will want to walk with the Lord in holiness. They will want to be around other saints. They will want to be in the church and be part of what God is doing in the local congregation. There will be a profound change of life. It will be dramatic! In many cases, it will be as dramatic as what happened to Lazarus when Jesus raised him from the dead, John 11. As simply as I can state, it let me just say that when Jesus saves you He makes you alive in Him, Eph. 2:1-10. When this happens, you will be different. And, if you aren't different after you have made a profession of faith, then you probably aren't saved!)
Conc: One day a Christian and a Communist were sitting on a park bench watching the world go by. As they watched, a poor, drunken beggar walked by dressed in rags. The Communist pointed to the beggar and said, "Communism would put a new suit on that man!" To which the Christian responded, "Maybe so, but Jesus Christ can put a new man in that suit."
Folks, you do not need to run over a new leaf. You do not need to get "religion". You do not need to try and make a bunch of worthless external changes. What you need this morning is to be born again. You need for Jesus to put a new person in your suit. If you know you are lost and would like to be saved, then I invite you to come to Jesus right now. He will save you if you will respond to Him.
I would also like to say to those who are already saved that many of God's saints are walking around like blind beggars. If you are saved, you are not supposed to live like a sinner. If there are things in your life that need to be made right with the Lord, then I invite you to come to Him right now. He will receive you, forgive you and restore you this morning if you will only come to Him.
Jesus is passing by! Please do not this opportunity pass, come to Him and be made whole.
(Adapted from URL:http://www.sermonnotebook.org/new%20testament/Mark%2010_46-52.htm)
The restoration of a blind man’s sight was a great and merciful miracle. But in the larger context of the Gospels, Jesus encountered many who were spiritually blind, having unresponsive hearts that refused to recognize or honor him. Our journey with Jesus begins when we realize we are blind and on the side of the road, sidelined and desperate. It’s at that point when we allow Jesus to make us whole. Then we join him, joyfully walking and learning as we go. This is a timeless picture of discipleship (Matthew 16:24; John 14:6). When we consider the necessity of faith, we learn some things about Jesus—and about ourselves. In the instance of today’s text, as in those that came before, Jesus honored faith. The faith of Bartimaeus was very simple: he believed that Jesus was willing and able to help. The man was not questioned about what he knew or believed about the coming Messiah. Neither was he queried regarding exactly what he meant when he called Jesus “Son of David” (Mark 10:47–48) or “Rabbi” (10:51). Neither his doctrines nor motives were called into account (contrast Mark 10:17–18; John 6:25–26; James 4:3). When we are in crisis and see no relief, we may say “Lord, have mercy” without thinking about the import of these words. Yet this is a prayer, imploring God to notice our pitiful situation and provide relief. In that regard may we take a lesson from Bartimaeus, being willing to call on the Lord when the crowd has a different agenda. May the eyes of our hearts be opened to see Jesus clearly and obey him fully (see Ephesians 1:18).
Jesus through Jericho - Jesus and His apostles had traveled almost 100 miles from Galilee to Jerusalem for Passover. A sizable crowd of followers accompanied them as they passed through the region of Jericho. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus occupied his regular spot on the highway out of town. He heard the commotion of the crowd and asked what was going on. Someone responded, "Jesus is passing through, so get out of His way." The beggar refused to be quiet and shouted louder. He wanted Jesus to restore his sight.
Bartimaeus Calls Out - Bartimaeus expressed his faith by referring to Jesus as the Son of David, a term used by those declaring Jesus as the Messiah (2 Sam. 7:14-16). The Old Testament Scriptures describe the Messiah as a prophet filled with compassion, kindness, pity, and grace. The blind man called out in deep humility, understanding he deserved nothing from the Master, yet he persisted in getting the Healer's attention. (He must have heard about Jesus performing miracles and understood the Messiah had "healing in his wings" [Mai. 4:2].) The people around Bartimaeus attempted to quiet him, but his cries persisted. Religious leaders often looked down on the disabled, labeling their ailments as God's judgment. Bartimaeus put aside those thoughts. Today he pursued the mercy of the Lord, trusting in God's care.
Jesus Listens - Jesus heard the desperate cry of Bartimaeus. He stopped and instructed His disciples to call him over. The blind man jumped up, and Jesus asked, "What is it that you want me to do for you?" (Mark 10:51). Bartimaeus, an impoverished beggar, could have asked for material wealth, or poured out before the Master a list of his good works. But instead, the man only asked Jesus to heal his eyes. Jesus responded positively. After Bartimaeus regained his sight, he reacted as a true disciple—he followed Jesus. Jesus still hears the cries of believers desiring to be healed inside or desiring healing inside and out. Those who are made whole give credit to God, lifting the Father, offering Him gratitude and honor for all to see.