Are You Blind
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Mark 10:46-52
Mark 10:46-52
46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was setting out from Jericho along with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, was sitting beside the road. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many people warned him that he should be quiet. But he was crying out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man and said to him, “Have courage! Get up! He is calling you.” 50 And he threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus answered him and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may regain my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has healed you.” And immediately he regained his sight and began to follow him on the road.
Pray
This is the last healing in the Book of Mark
On His way to Jerusalem. His last visit.
Jericho
Jericho
This takes place in Jericho. Which you might recognize if you know the story of the walls of Jericho. Jericho was a trade center in Jesus time and before. It is one of the oldest cities in the world. 59 times in the Bible. It was the place in which the Israelites first interred into the promised land.
And now it is the start of the final leg of Jesus ministry. In Jesus time Galilean Jews on pilgrimage to Jerusalem would detour around the Samaritans' area by passing through Perea on the Jordan's east side. They would cross over the Jordan again at Jericho and then take their journey's final leg up the steep road to Jerusalem
Beggars in City
Beggars in City
Beggars would take up position in Jericho anticipating hospitality from Pilgrims heading to the Holy City
Now the blind man who in ancient world before things like assisted living and Braille and seeing eye dogs. He was totally dependent on the charity of others for provision, for protection, for guidance, and he became one of societies expendables
Every society has them even if they don't want to admit it.
That is how the crowd treats him.
They don't offer him help when he cry's out. They try not to see him.
They are trying to be blind to the blind man
How's that for irony
So when he cries out to Jesus as Son of David they chide him fro making a nuisance of himself. They do not bring him to Jesus as people had of other healings like in Bethsaida
Mark This blind man is named Bartimaeus, Son of Timaeus.
Timaeus meaning Worthy of Honor
Mark gives us the name And yet with worthy of Honor in name still treated so shabbily
Full of Irony isn't it
Crying out again Jesus calls him to Him and ask what do you want from me. Seems kind of dumb doesn't it. But this question forces the blind man to think, “what can this man do for me?”
He could have asked I need a job. I need some money, He was accustomed to this. I need food.
Lots of people ask Jesus for this. I want to see, is a statement of faith that this son of David can give me site. And there is not any healing words, no gesture, no demonstration of the cure, no choirs from heaven. Not even a magic wand.
But the man by faith can see
16 I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on paths they have not known. I will turn darkness to light in front of them and rough places into level ground. This is what I will do for them, and I will not abandon them.
God seeks to heal the blind. And he did heal the blind but he did more than that he pointed out the blindness of the people. The "spiritual" blindness for lack of better terminology. They couldn't see the choices they were making were causing a blindness in themselves
Some are blind to the truth and evidences of GOD
These are the non-believers. They have not accepted Jesus The Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
We all were at some point. Amazing grace, I once was blind but now I see. I once was Lost but now I am found
Do I Believe?
Do I Believe?
Some one in room still blind seeks to see Jesus. ABC
God Has given us All gifts. If you have ABC then you have the HS indwelling with in you And Having given you gifts some of us are blind to how and when to use them
Lack of training. Lack of Understanding. Excuses we choose to close our eyes like the men in the town.
We have to pray for sight and in faith it will be given to us
Healing doesn't always come easily. This blind man over come crowds determined that he not be seen by Jesus
We too have to Overcome, Habits, World, Voices that don't want to see
Sight brings change
Friends, Family, Change scares us, those around us, and reveals things about ourselves and others.
Healing requires persistence
One must intentionally come to Jesus for relieve.
Bartimaeus doesn't simply want to meet the famous prophet from Nazareth. He believes that Jesus can if he chase mercy
Can give him sight
We must ask ourselves what do I really want God to do for me?
If not willing to do what Jesus ask. Am I really wanting Jesus too…
Faith requires no hesitation but movement
I Believe... What do I believe?
Read the Bible and find out
Why Do I believe?
Has God given me this gift
Put in action and find out
One who receives sight must follow Christ. If we see God for who he is and ABC. Must put into action
Fire-proofing, staying same not OK. Because not real
Works don't save but salvation brings works. If we see the area and people we are to work with.
Must put into action.
Next Steps
Next Steps
We can choose to be blind.
Are you?
God Open our eyes
Your mission and the role in which we play in that Mission
Pray
Bibliography
Bibliography
Garland, David E. NIV Application Commentary: Mark. Zondervan 1996.
https://media.faithlife.com/logos-media/378491-17069154--