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Mark 10:46-52
46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
Watch the Sermon
Summary: This week's text focuses on a healing Jesus performed for a blind man named Bartimaeus outside of Jericho. This miracle is performed during Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem where he would soon suffer, die, and be raised. In comparison with offering himself as a sacrifice for the sins of His people, this blind man's ailment seems a minuscule thing. Yet, Jesus hears the cries for mercy from blind Bartimaeus, calls him, and asks how he can help him. In this scene, we see our Savior who cares for this man even while bearing the weight of the world on His shoulders. We also see in Bartimaeus an example of what following Jesus looks like. He pleads for mercy, he trusts in Christ's ability to heal him, and after receiving mercy from Christ, he begins to walk with Jesus—not just on a short trek to Jerusalem, but as a disciple, committed to trusting in Him. In this healing there is deep irony that a blind man really sees who Christ is, while the crowds see, but are blind. They tried to silence Bartimaeus' pleas because they missed the nature of Christ's reign, work, and coming Kingdom.
Review & Apply
There are a few differences between Mark's account and the accounts that Matthew and Luke give of this healing. What are they? How do we reconcile them?
Why does Mark include this story in a larger context of Jesus heading to the cross?
How can our prayer life benefit from this story? What ways can our personal interactions with the Savior be deepened or strengthened by Bartimaeus' pleas to Jesus?
What does Jesus' care for Bartimaeus say about His care for our needs or desires? How does this story encourage us to draw near to Him in our times of need?
Since Bartimaeus knows who Jesus is, he is not persuaded to stop seeking Him by the crowds' rebuke. In what ways is the world or your flesh telling you to not seek Jesus? How can you respond?
If we deepen our knowledge of Christ, it will deepen our love for Him. What areas of your understanding of Jesus might need to be refined in order to call to Him and follow Him as Bartimaues does?
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