Blind Bartimaeus – The Saturday Morning Post
Today’s Passage – Mark 10 – 11 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 101 – 105; Proverbs 21)
Read the “1021 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” (Mark 10:46-47)
Good morning. Here we have Jesus walking away from Jericho with His disciples and a great number of people. The sound of the great crowd reached the ears of blind Bartimaeus, a beggar sitting by the side of the road. He had heard about Jesus, but when he realized that it was Jesus coming his way, he cried out, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”
Now there are two reactions from the crowd. The first is what you and me would probably get. They told blind Bartimaeus to shut up. What would you do if you had a need that only Jesus could take care of? Would you tremble before the crowd and hold your piece? Would you give up at what may be your only chance of freedom from the bondage of sin? How bad do you want Jesus to help you?
“And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” (Mark 10:48)
Would you to cry out until you were heard? Continuing to cry out until you are heard leads to the second reaction from the crowd…
“And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.” (Mark 10:49)
“For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:8-10)
Jesus wanted to use Bartimaeus as an example of His healing power and exercise Bartimaeus’ faith…
“And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” (Mark 10:50-52)
Bartimaeus had a request. He wanted to see. There are people all over the world who are spiritually blind and would like to see. There are also those who are spiritually blind and choose not to see: they refuse the truth. We can only give them the truth. Like blind Bartimaeus, they have to get up and come to Jesus.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
So blind Bartimaeus came to Jesus and received his sight: physical and spiritual. How do you know it wasn’t just physical, but also spiritual? By the choice Bartimaeus made in verse 52…
“And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” (Mark 10:52)
Jesus told him to go thy way. And what was his way? The last part of verse 52 tells it all. Blind Bartimaeus immediately received his sight, and followed Jesus. Who are you going to follow? Which way are you going to go?
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)
Peace.
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