Mark 10:46-52 - Blind Bartimaeus

Mark 10:46-52

46 Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. 47 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 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.” 50 Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. 51 And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.

Message: Blind Bartimaeus

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:  Well, i just noticed that back in October 2018, as I studied through the book of Mark that I did not do this lesson at the end of Mark 10. Through Mark 10, Jesus is helping his followers and apostles understand that living for Him (for Jesus) is in many ways opposite to how the World defines life. In the last passage he ends with a proclamation that He did not come to be served, but to serve. All that Jesus is we need to remember is about us. His mission is seeking to save us, His children. And this reminds us that we need to be focused on others. The Rich Young Ruler got caught up in himself. Yes, he followed the ways of obedience, but along the way he was missing something still: his heart and ultimately what he valued the most. Jesus reminds us that He does not simply want a part of us, but he wants all of us. 

In this book of Mark, as it progresses, the instances of Jesus healing people are not as numerous. The last healing that Mark records is in chapter 9 where Jesus delivers a demon-possessed Son. In many ways Mark I think is wanting us to understand the Gospel message that Jesus came to preach. And yet people continue to want to be healed. And Jesus responds. 

Jesus wants what is best for us at all times, but Jesus also wants to meet our needs and Jesus wants to give us what we want. 

Jesus and the disciples are traveling towards Jerusalem. "And they came to Jericho" as recorded in verse 46. Jericho is 44 kilometers east of Jerusalem. Jesus is ministering but he is also on a mission for Jerusalem. And along this way, a man, blind, on the road, hears Jesus and calls out to him for mercy. 

Is this man simply calling out to anyone to heal him? It is hard to say, but we do know that he is very intentional in calling out Jesus. He does not simply say, "Jesus" but says, "Jesus, son of David." Son of David is a title for the messianic Jesus and Jesus has not been open in revealing this identity. In March 8:27 Jesus asks the disciples who people say He is and in their response that He is the Christ Jesus asks them to tell no one about Him (v. 30). Jesus has a purpose to fulfill His ministry and he does not want the Messiah aspect to get in the way of this and yet this man called on Jesus, son of David inferring His messianic role. Jesus will restore all things, including Bartimaeus sight. 

Bartimaeus responds to receiving his sight by wanting to follow Jesus. "Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road." He did not ask for any other prestige or special position. As a reminder, Mark had most recently mentioned that Jesus did come to be served, but to serve. Bartimaeus did want his sight but immediately following this He desired to follow Jesus. This is the mark of true discipleship. 

Promise: We are to respond to God with gratefulness seeing Jesus for who He is. 

Prayer: O God, you are rich in mercy and grace. You are a giver of life and healer of mankind. Thank you for this lesson and the reminder that it is all about You and You restoring all things to Yourself. Thank you for this lesson and your work in people's lives. Help me to always lean on You and follow you all the days of my life. 

For the next lesson in this Mark series, go to Mark 11:1-6 - Procuring a Donkey.