Desperate To See Change

Desperate To See Change Michael Morse / General CrossFit / Crowd at Bartimaeus' healing; Crowd at Blind Men's Healing; Seeing God; Mercy and Compassion; God's Mercy; Change / Luke 18:35-43 Introduction It has been said before - in fact I have probably said it before in this crossfit series, that change doesnt just happen on its own. Change happens when the pain of staying the same becomes more than the pain of staying the same. The pain of staying the same however is directly related to our mindset. Mindset determines if we have sustainable fitness goals, or we simply yo-yo back and forth. I mean consider this most of the information necessary for fitness and healthy living is available through a simple google search. There are an overwhelming amount of returns for searches for achieving weight loss and fitness goals. With this information available to us it should be no problem to achieve fitness goals and weight loss goals right? Unfortunately the answer to that is no. Most of the results for such googling and searching - come pregnant with the belief that - it is simple, it is easy, and it is fast to achieve these results. Those ideas right there speak to my heart - simple, easy, and fast - thats for me. Tell me all about how I can become fit on my couch. The reason being is because this doesnt increase the pain of staying the same. This says by being the same we can achieve different. So we try thing after thing after thing after idea after idea and new trend after new trend - all the while remaining the same. Why? Because the mindset doesnt change. In order for us to begin headed for change we have to become desperate to see change - so desperate to see change that we are willing to change in order to see that change. We begin to say okay I dont mind if it isnt easy - oh its not easy thats ok, we dont mind if it isnt simple - oh its not simple that's ok, and we dont mind if it isnt fast - oh its gonna take some time to do this thats ok. You're mindset wont change - until you come to the point when you are desperate to see change - the pain of staying the same becomes so unbearable you are desperate to see the change and willing to change your mindset to allow the change. This morning in Luke we come to a time where Jesus healed a man who was desperate for change. So desperate for change that he went against the common mindset that was prevalent. He changed His mindset and received the change he desperately desired - a result vastly different from others. Read with me and lets look at how this man in his desperation to see change - received it from Jesus. Luke 18:35-38 CSB 35 As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. 36 Hearing a crowd passing by, he inquired what was happening. 37 "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by," they told him. 38 So he called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Luke 18:39-40 CSB 39 Then those in front told him to keep quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 40 Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to him. When he came closer, he asked him, Luke 18:41-43 CSB 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord," he said, "I want to see." 42 "Receive your sight." Jesus told him. "Your faith has saved you." 43 Instantly he could see, and he began to follow him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. See Yourself Luke 18:35 CSB 35 As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. Luke 18:38 CSB 38 So he called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Luke 18:40-41 CSB 40 Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to him. When he came closer, he asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord," he said, "I want to see." Jesus is on the final leg of His journey to Jerusalem. It will be His final journey to Jerusalem which we will be looking at the triumphant entry in a few weeks. Jesus now is entering into Jericho (18 miles from Jerusalem - about 20 minute drive and a 5-6 hour walk) and as He is approaching Jericho there is a blind man sitting on the side of the road. Now the other synoptic Gospels have this event in their Gospels as well and give us additional details and very confusing questions. Mark's Gospel tells us this blind man's name - Bartimaeus - or Son of Timaeus. Mark 10:46 CSB 46 They came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. Matthew's gospel tells us there were two blind men and Jesus was leaving Jericho Matthew 20:29-30 CSB 29 As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 There were two blind men sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" I point this out not for theological fact or some life altering insight, but to give credence and clarity to the fact that scripture is true and does not contradict and any contradiction must be analyzed in context and understanding of the times. Was there one or two men? If there were two does it mean that Luke is wrong because he says a blind man? No - its simply a matter of witness recollection - it doesnt say there was only one man. Were they leaving Jericho or arriving? Here's trouble in seeing this as a contradiction - there were actually two Jerichos - the traditional one and the rebuilt Jericho by Herod the Great (ever had something where the purists ignored the new and preferred the traditional?) All that just to say - yes you can keep trusting your Bible and its accuracy of facts and events. This blind man - Bartimaeus brought Jesus to a halt and He commanded that He be brought to Him. As Bartimaeus approached Jesus - Jesus asked Him "What do you want me to do for you?" What would you answer to this question? What do you want Jesus to do for you? The proper answer to this offer and request requires one who sees themselves correctly. Seeing yourself without masks or coverings fully revealed and open an honest. This is equivalent to stepping on the scale to determine if you need to go on a diet or not. Most stay off the scale in order to remain ignorant of their situation and need. Jesus knows of our needs before we ask - He is the discerner of hearts, why would He ask this question? Surely he knows what the man wants and needs why ask? The wants and needs we share with Jesus reveals whether we truly see ourselves and our situations. Bartimaeus sees his situation clearly - he is a blind man without hope of recovering sight by any means outside of a miracle and is not deserving of one and therefore has called out instead for mercy and in mercy receives an offer for what he requests in mercy. Bartimaeus says "Lord" I want to see. - he knew his situation and his greatest need in mercy. See the Time For Action Luke 18:36-38 CSB 36 Hearing a crowd passing by, he inquired what was happening. 37 "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by," they told him. 38 So he called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Hearing a crowd pass by the blind man - Bartimaeus inquired what was happening. As a blind man he would have been unable to work and support himself. His job was to rely upon on the generosity of others by begging. The suitable place for this would be outside the city along the road into the city so travelers would have money to spare before doing business in the city. This is where Bartimaeus was begging. Now I dont believe that Bartimaeus was asking about the commotion of a crowd passing by, but rather it had to do with what the crowd was doing as they passed by and here is why Jesus was on His was to Jerusalem -but He and His group are not the only ones are they? I know this because when you consider what Jesus will be doing in Jerusalem and why He is going there you remember that it is the week of Passover coming up and so many are travelling to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover in person as required by the law. So they are probably not the only group to pass by into Jericho on the way to Jerusalem. I am led to think it was the discussion happening within the crowd. It was common for a rabbi to walk and His followers surround Him as He walks and for the rabbi to teach and speak along the way. I can see this going on with Jesus and Jesus words were always such that they amazed who ever heard them. Matthew 7:28-29 CSB 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes. Matthew 13:54 CSB 54 He went to his hometown and began to teach them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? Luke 4:32 CSB 32 They were astonished at his teaching because his message had authority. Perhaps Bartimaeus heard some of what Jesus was saying and realized these words words were familiar but spoken in a way he had never heard them before. He knew that this man speaking and teaching was different and so he inquired about what was going on - didnt seem like normal travellers on their way to a festival. They told him Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. By this point in the ministry of Jesus I guarantee you this one thing - every outcast, downtrodden, handicapped, infirm, and debilitated person knew the name of Jesus of Nazareth! This is the one whom actually has the power to heal, who also loves and is a friend of sinners and outcasts like him. Now to hear that Jesus of Nazareth is here - without changing his mindset this blind could have sat back and said boy imagine if Jesus healed me - I could see again and how awesome that be, or again without changing the mindset and sitting back - Sure Jesus could heal by why would I think He would heal me - I mean the Pharisees hate me and despise me - why would I expect Him to be different. Your mindset can cause you to miss seeing the time for action. Instead we read in Luke that Bartimaeus sees the opportunity and knows that now is the time for action. This was it of all the days to be here in the road begging and calling out for the mercy of people. Wow to have the one who is known and despised for being merciful to the outcasts, truly this would be a blessed day - if only Jesus knew I was here. I have to act! Bartimaeus did just that, he began to call out. The language here is not a normal quiet voice of calling out, but one who is calling out with the idea of even the deaf hearing. Calling out to Jesus. Calling out to the Son of David - why call Jesus Son of David? Why because this was more than a name it was a title and it was a specific title for the one every Jew spent their life waiting for the coming - the Messiah, Bartimaeus recognized Jesus as Messiah Recognizing Jesus as Messiah Bartimaeus saw the time to act and ask for mercy - "have mercy on me" He didnt say Jesus you healed others how about me - his request was just that a request not a demand. He knew Jesus owed him nothing and appealed to Him simply based on mercy and compassion. Luke 18:7 CSB 7 Will not God grant justice to his elect who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay helping them? See What Others Do Not Luke 18:39 CSB 39 Then those in front told him to keep quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Luke 18:42-43 CSB 42 "Receive your sight." Jesus told him. "Your faith has saved you." 43 Instantly he could see, and he began to follow him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. Bartimaeus is a blind man forced into a life of begging to survive and eat. He relied solely on the mercy of people and their generosity and kindness. There was nothing that he could do to change his situation - but here was one who could help him and all he had to do was act and beg, instead of alms, for mercy. The people dont see opportunity for mercy compassion and healing for Bartimaeus - instead they see a nuisance, and one who hinders Jesus from continuing to speak interesting things to them. The crowd shushed the man - told him to keep quiet. They shushed shamed and rebuked him. Surely he was bothering Jesus as much as he was bothering them. Why would such a man as Jesus care or bother with such a man as this blind beggar. Obviously he was suffering in his punishment for sin - whether his or his parents. In order to have the change you are desperate to see you must realize not everyone wants that change for you - not everyone wants your best in mind, not everyone can see the change you desire. They will try to keep you quiet and keep you from believing for it. We must seek change with the same desperate seeking as this man - opposition did not deter him but drove him to be even more adamant in faith. Society will often offer neither pity nor help - the people were not interested in a beggar - but we must remember Jesus was and is Bartimaeus cried out all the more - for he desperately sought Jesus for change in his life. Jesus was the one to bring it - because while people crowded Jesus to hear a good parable and interesting platitudes and sage advice and wisdom, Bartimaeus called out for mercy from the Son of David the Messiah in their midst - the one who would set the captives free and restore sight to the blind men Luke 4:18 CSB 18 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, The crowds - saw a man and a beggar bugging that man. Bartimaeus saw the Messiah and asked for mercy. Jesus then said to Bartimaeus - Receive your sight, your faith has saved you, and instantly Bartimaeus could see and he followed Jesus and glorified God. Jesus told Bartimaeus to receive his sight, your faith has saved you - literally your faith has healed you or delivered you. Not that Bartimaeus's faith somehow healed him but his faith in Jesus healed him. Faith IN Jesus as Messiah heals, saves and delivers - brings the lasting change to someone desperate for change. His persistence in opposition revealed his desperation and faith in Jesus - nothing would keep him from the One whom he believed could help him. Luke 18:3-5 CSB 3 And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' 4 "For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or respect people, 5 yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so that she doesn't wear me out by her persistent coming.' " Bartimaeus was desperate for change and the desperation led him to faith that allowed him to see what others could not - He saw Jesus as healer, hope and savior - the others didnt. Jesus told him receive your sight your faith has healed you. - All the people WHEN they saw it then and only then did they acknowledge or praise God. Conclusion While many things may stand out from this occasion with Bartimaeus - the one thing that stands out the strongest to me is the sheer desperation for change from Bartimaeus. His desperation led to a persistence that was vastly different from the young rich ruler we saw last week. He went away sad - Bartimaeus praised God and followed Jesus. Bartimaeus was desperate for change and determined to come face to face with Jesus. Nothing was going to stop Him, he would not be silent and he would not be refused audience. Whoever is desperate for change in their crossfitness must seek Jesus with the same spirit of desperate seeking. A gentle sentimental longing will never tap the power of God - it is the passionate and intense desire of the depths of a desperate heart that is never disappointed by God. Jesus was discoursing and traveling with a mission - He set His face towards and nothing would turn Him from it. The difference of Jesus and other Rabbis - is that the cry of need from others brings Jesus to stop and invite them. It is more important to act than it is to talk. In the face of need the talking stops and the acting must happen. Someone once said - teachers are like those who throw chatty remarks to someone drowning in a tempestuous sea. Jesus is never like that - He always comes to the rescue. The orator may command respect but the person who has helping hands inspires love. Lastly Bartimaeus was a man of expectancy. Marks Gospel adds a detail - Bartimaeus at the call of Jesus left his beggars cloak - it was his identity. In other words at the voice of Jesus he in faith threw it off as if to say - I am no longer this. The Lord will do a work based on His mercy and I am trusting in His mercy. Dedicated kingdom living - Spiritual CrossFitness is desperately seeking to be changed and changing our mindset by crying out consistently to God for mercy Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 5:10 PM February 13, 2021.