Lessons from Bartimaeus Mark 10:46-52
Introduction
Blindness was prevalent through infection at birth in N.T. times.There must have been thousands throughout Judea.Why was Bartimaeus singled out to receive his healing? I believe there were four reasons.
Text: Mark 10:46-52
I. He went right to the source, and he went to the right source
A. He knew that Christ had the key to healing
B. Where else might he have tried? Doctors? Quacks, Sorcerers, None were able to help.
C. How often we run elsewhere to find what we need, but to no avail. God’s Word says “Call for the elders of the church.” Perhaps, as a last resort, he came to Jesus.
D. It matters not where else we have searched so long as we come to Jesus, before it is too late.
II. He refused to let others’ opinions dominate him
A. The crowd tried to intimidate him
B. Imagine the cries of the crowd:
B. Imagine the cries of the crowd:
Jacobus: “Don’t make a fool of yourself!”
Michael: “This religious stuff is for the mentally unstable people.”
Judas: “The Master doesn’t have time for you!”
C. But, He was determined to have his sight!
D. It would have been easy to keep quiet.
E. But, how many other blind people missed their chance to see, because they would not come to Jesus…afraid of rebuke or criticism from others.
F. Not Bartimaeus…determined to see!
D. It would have been easy to keep quiet.
E. But, how many other blind people missed their chance to see, because they would not come to Jesus…afraid of rebuke or criticism from others.
F. Not Bartimaeus…determined to see!
III. He exercised his faith in Christ
A. He cried out to Jesus as he passed by.
B. He refused to be silenced by the crowd.
C. Cast away his outer garment
D. Moved toward Jesus
E. He made known his need to the Master
B. He refused to be silenced by the crowd.
C. Cast away his outer garment
D. Moved toward Jesus
E. He made known his need to the Master
F. “Thy FAITH hath made thee whole!”
Not his persistence
Not his righteousness
Not his social standing
G. Bartimaeus risked ridicule because HE EXPECTED TO BE HEALED!
H. Faith is EXPECTING IT TO HAPPEN!
I. A resolution to do something is not enough…He had to follow through!
J. Note also: He came to Jesus, Jesus did not come to him; indicates his faith
H. Faith is EXPECTING IT TO HAPPEN!
I. A resolution to do something is not enough…He had to follow through!
J. Note also: He came to Jesus, Jesus did not come to him; indicates his faith
IV. He then followed Jesus V. 52b
A. The initial encounter is not enough
B. He evidenced continuing faith in Christ
C. Jesus is not content to be just a “crisis counselor”, He wants to be an ever-present companion and friend
D. He is there in times of crisis, BUT He is also just as real when we are unaware of His presence.
B. He evidenced continuing faith in Christ
C. Jesus is not content to be just a “crisis counselor”, He wants to be an ever-present companion and friend
D. He is there in times of crisis, BUT He is also just as real when we are unaware of His presence.
V. Application
A. Probably no-one here today is blind, BUT some here today are spiritually blind.
B. You may have groped through life, vainly trying to find your way, but to no avail.
C. II Corinthians 4:3-4 “But, if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost, in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
D. Are you blind to the beauty of this joyous Christian life?
E. Like Bartimaeus, the crowd will try to stop you, but the crowd is bound for Hell.
F. You can go on groping through life, trying to find answers, or you can come to Jesus and receive your sight.
G. THE CHOICE IS YOURS!
