Sermon Tone Analysis

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

--Jesus Christ

INTRO - How easy it is to be caught up in our world and miss the opportunity to offer hope, kindness, love, and mercy.

Today’s passage remind us that people can get so involved in the moment that we tend to overlook the more important things that lie just before us.

TRANS - Sin, selfishness, slander, and stupidly were around during the time of Jesus and guess what?

All that same stuff is still part of life today.

Today we’ll look a Jesus responding to a blind man’s call for attention.

We’ll get an idea of why the people wished Jesus would just keep going and forget about the fellow.

And, we will come to this text to revisit an event that Jesus considered more important than pushing forward.

What does it say?

PRAY

What does it mean?

Seeking Jesus

Where was Jericho in relation to Jerusalem, and why was it suitable for beggars?

The distance between Jericho and Jerusalem, though unsafe, was frequently traveled.

The old city was badly deteriorated, but the southern and newer part built by Herod was an impressive site.

As such, and with the reference to the “great crowd” we know there were plenty of folks using the road between these two cities.

Pilgrims would make their way to Jerusalem where blind beggar’s were a common sight.

ILL - It’s a common site even today.

Stopped at a light in Pensacola I handed a fellow a few bucks for food.

Honestly, he was truly grateful.

But really, I did it for me.

I saw a need that I could meet and did what I could.

The fellow could not have been more grateful.

Why did people refer to Jesus as “the Nazarene”?

Jesus’ name was common so calling him the “Nazarene” distinguished him from other men with the same name.

Ill - Obviously the man knew who it was he was seeking.

I recall a beat up, beat down, and beaten by a long term of drinking.

He was a sight to see, long stringy hair, all hunched over, and smelled really badly.

He knew to turn to the church.

BTW, your pastor believes that when people turn to God’s people, God is at work in that person.

Like Jesus, people often turn to the church seeking help, seeking forgiveness, seeking mercy.

What does the designation “Son of David” mean, and why does Bartimaeus use it for Jesus?

However, calling him, “Son of David,” these two times, is the only time in this gospel we here someone referencing Jesus in such a way.

Some attempt to say referencing Jesus this way points to his healing ministry.

However, that in not a very convincing argument.

Marks reader’s would have noted the title “Son of David” a reference to the promised royal descendant and Israel’s greatest king, Jesus Christ.

Considering the opening to this gospel, “Jesus Christ, the Son of God,” and Peter’s confession, “you are the Christ,” along with the events leading up to this point and what we will see down the road in the temple and the inscription on Jesus’ cross, “the King of the Jews,” all reinforce Mark’s view that Jesus is Israel’s long awaited and greatest King.

Who is it you are seeking?

I wonder what sort of person I would be in this story?

Would I help the blind man?

Would I tell the blind guy all he wants is a hand out?

Would I holler, “Jesus, please have mercy on this man?”

Seeking Self

Why did some people try to silence the beggar?

Perhaps the people didn’t want to see Jesus stop; He was making such great progress?

ILL - While out watering my lawn Friday before last, I planned to go inside when my neighbor drove into his garage.

Now, he is going through a difficult time and I thought, “I’ll just stand here for a minute longer and water a bit more.”

My neighbor saw me and came over to talk.

As it turned out, he had a lot on his mind and needed someone to listen.

Knowing he really needed someone to do some listening, I really got the lawn quite wet.

Now, say that I thought, “That’s enough water, I’m gonna interrupt him to shut the water off?”

Or, perhaps I didn’t feel like waiting because I was not as comfortable outside as I would be in my easy chair?

Well, I doubt I’d had the chance to minister to the needs of my neighbor.

God did something in those moments and my neighbor got to tell someone some of the stuff that was on his mind.

Me, it reminds me how God uses us when we put the needs of others ahead of ourselves.

In this case, I put my time, comfort, and even my mouth on hold to hear what the fellow had to say.

I didn’t agree or disagree, offer advice, or do much of the talking.

I simply made myself available.

Considering Jesus’ mission and Israel’s destiny, did Jesus really have time for one beggar?

If He stopped to help one beggar, would’t all the beggars want Him to stop and give them something?

ILL - Do you know the story of the little boy on the beach gathering starfish from the surf line and tossing them back into the water?

A fellow approached the boy and said, “son you can’t possibly save all those starfish!”

The boy responded, “Yeah, but, you see this one?

I can save him.

And, this one, I can save him.”

Perhaps we need a “mercy adjustment?”

You know, the one that addresses thoughts like, “There is plenty of work out there.”

Or, “If he really was hungry he’d get a job.”

Or, “He’s just gonna go get drunk if I give him $5.00.”

I think we forget that Jesus gave us everything he had and we still continue to blow it big time.

Maybe we need to spend more time giving without judgement and less time gossiping about the life of person brought to begging.

ILL - I recall the first morning of turkey season about 6 years ago.

On my way here from Leesburg I passed a turkey standing in the median of the highway.

Smart bird.

You see, maybe all the other turkey’s found their way to the plate.

This turkey found his way to safety.

Sure it was a bold move, for a turkey to stand in the middle of the highway, but it saved his life!

Maybe one of those people in the middle of the road are seeking to save their life.

How do I know?

I don’t.

But this I do know, Jesus knows my heart and if I think it’s okay to talk about people and say stuff about them behind their back that I won’t to their face, that is sin and that makes me a beggar misusing what God gave me.

Some couldn’t see Jesus’ compassion for others.

Some didn’t get that Bartimaeus would do whatever he could and begged for mercy.

Jesus heard his call and showed him mercy.

I have to decide each day who I will follow.

And, today I’m not only saying, “Jesus.”

I’m willing to put my money, my life, and my gratitude where God would have me place all things; at the feet of Jesus.

Seeking Faith

How did the blind beggar’s request for sight instead of money demonstrate his faith?

Why ask for sight?

He was on the road begging for money.

Why not say, “God, you own it all, make me wealthy?”

That’s what lots of people think will solve problems.

money to live happily

money to help others

money for the church

money to pay all bills and debts

money to buy anything

Sometimes people miss their opportunities of a lifetime.