Mark 10:46-52
Notes
Transcript
Handout
We arrive to what is the last healing of Jesus before His death and resurrection. And what’s interesting is that many will tell you that we are concluding the second major division with the healing of Bartimaeus.
It’s quite amazing when you think about the fact that you begin the second major division with the healing of the blind man at Bethsaida and then this healing concludes it.
What’s really cool about this… is the fact that the healing of the blind was associated with the coming Messiah in many prophecies.
18 In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.
3 Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed, and the ears of those who hear will give attention.
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
This was being fulfilled before the very eyes of the disciples. The Messiah was fully being revealed to them. As if it hadn’t been through the miracles that had already taken place. But you begin to get this feeling as we continue to read about their journey to Jerusalem that they are finally starting to get it.... sort of.
Let’s dig in to today’s passage.
46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 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 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
Like I said already… this is the last healing miracle we see in Mark.
It provides an example of one who understood who Jesus was, responded immediately to His call despite discouragement from others, believed in Him and followed His as a disciple.
The replies, however, are quite different than that of James and John who wanted positions of prominence where as the blind men just wanted to be able to see.
V. 46-48
V. 46-48
Jericho is about 18 miles from Jerusalem.
The Jericho of the NT was about 2 miles south of the one from the OT period. The former had been built by Herod the Great (37-4 B.C.) as a winter palace.
Matthew 20:30 indicates that there were 2 blind men. Mark may have focused on Bartimaeus because he was the more vocal of the two.
Vv. 47-48
Only place where Mark is called the “Son of David”. —> Messianic term indicating that Jesus is not only a descendant of David but the one who is to inherit and fulfill the promises made to David!
11 When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, 14 but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’ ”
1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
The crowds rebuke was probably because Bartimaeus was creating a disturbance.
Notice that the men begin sitting by the roadside. (This is a graphic picture being shown before us of conversion to following Jesus.)
HOW MANY, are in your school, sitting on the road side just WAITING for the Messiah to come near. He does every day in you! They cry out in certain ways only to be pressed to be silent because of the disturbance being created within the social order of the school.
We see an awesome picture here.
The beggars heard that Jesus of Nazareth, the Healer, was passing by; they did their best to get His attention so that they might receive His merciful help and be healed. Desperate people do not permit the crowd to keep them from Jesus. (Mark 5:25-34)
Vv. 49-50
Vv. 49-50
Jesus says “CALL HIM!”The the disciples say “TAKE HEART!”
V. 50
Bartimaeus throws off his garment so that it doesn’t trip him and he hastens to the Master.
AGAIN, A GREAT PICTURE OF JESUS CALLING AND A CONVERSION HAPPENING.
Vv. 51-52
Vv. 51-52
Again, Jesus poses the question. What would you like for me to do for you?
To that the man answers: RABBI. “Let me recover my sight”.
The Greek is transliterated into an Aramaic word that is simply a strengthened form of Rabbi. Which means, “my Lord, my Master, my Teacher.” This is an expression of personal faith.
RABBI, I want to see!
Only Jesus can give this sight. Not only was Jesus to give sight physically to this man but also sight spiritually.
V. 52
52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
Jesus is moved with compassion and Matthew tells us that He touches both of their eyes. (Matt. 20:34) and immediately they are healed.
The man is healed both physically and also spiritually as we see that he began to follow Jesus as a DISCIPLE!
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The entirety of this passage continues to fit the narrative that Mark has written into his Gospel. This theme of the Suffering Servant.
We see Jesus Christ, God’s Suffering Servant, on His way to the cross, and yet He stops to serve two blind beggars! What love, what mercy, and what grace!