"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. 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!" And many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him here." So they *called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage, get up! He is calling for you." And throwing off his outer garment, he jumped up and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered him and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And the blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!" And Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has saved you." Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road."
Good Morning my beloved,
In our society, we often use the words eyes and sight, they are frequently used in our everyday lives as figures of speech, an indication of how we perceive something. When our attention is attracted to something remarkable, we say it's "eye-catching," or an "eye-opener." And, when we watch something closely or carefully, we are said to "keep our eye on the ball," or are asked to "keep our eyes peeled" for the object we seek. When a person is particularly skilled at a specific task, we say he "has an eye for" it, such as an interior decorator "has an eye for color," or a "good eye."
In the Bible the eye is the organ of perception, and perception involves more than physical sight, it is frequently used figure of speech indicating of how we perceive God.
In the last part of John 9:25 it says "...one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see."
In Revelation 1:7 it says " Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him,.."
In Jeremiah 13:17, The prophet Jeremiah laments the fact that Judah will not listen to the warning from God and heed the judgment to come. "And my eyes will bitterly weep and flow down with tears, Because the flock of the Lord has been taken captive."
In our society, we also use eyes and sight figuratively to indicate a persons understanding or ignorance. When we understand a point that a teacher or someone makes, we often say, "Oh, I see that now." When we do not plan ahead, we are said to be "short-sighted," or conversely when we plan strategically, for the future, we are said to be "far-sighted." When we choose to ignore a person or an action, we are said to "turn a blind eye" toward them or it, and when we disapprove of an action, we "take a dim view of" it. When we have forgotten to do some detail or task, we often use the phrase "it was an oversight."
It has been said that "When Christianity retreats, evil steps in to fill the gap!" And, I believe that is exactly what is happening in our world today. There is a lot of anxiety and unrest in our nation today about the future of our country, and the world. Where are things headed? Will the economy ever bounce back? And, will life as we know it, before this pandemic, ever return?
Our world as we know it, has dramatically
changed. I'm fairly certain, that until the pandemic, many of you
thought that the phrases "The good ole' days" and "things will never be
the same again" a conversation reserved for those of us over 50. If I
had to guess, I'd say that many of you are probably struggling with that
same thought today. Historically, during times of spiritual
disaffection from God, social and political tensions tend to rise. When Christianity retreats, evil steps in to fill
the gap! And, I believe that is exactly what is happening in our world
today. The world is in turmoil, such chaos and disarray, that some of you may think
it’s enough to make a preacher cuss. Well, I would like to assure you, I'll not be cussing today; but rather I am
going to be discussing how we can have 20/20 vision and still not see. Our world is filled with people who can see perfectly, but live in absolute blindness.
As our culture continues to redefine truth and morality, the church is called to stand firm on the Truth. Quite frankly, I just do not see a lot of that occurring in
the church today. I believe we need to return to teaching sound
biblical doctrine, making real followers of Christ, who are
willing to become authentic disciples. It is deeply disturbing that the deficiency in teaching sound doctrine is even embraced by those who proclaim to be "born again Christians." The salvation Jesus offers to repent sinners is anything but easy believism and cheap grace, receiving Him as Savior, without surrendering to His Lordship. True salvation is offered to repentant sinners, who
recognize their spiritual bankruptcy, seeking forgiveness and eternal
life. That is literally Good News.
Even though I am a Christian, even though I’ve
been studying the Bible for many years, even though I have been walking
in the faith for most of my life, if I don't constantly guard my eyes, my ears, and
my mind, my tongue, keeping my feet from going certain places and my
distance from certain people, this world would surely have a devastating
effect upon me. Therefore, I do not allow myself to be put into a position to be
devastated, because I am aware of the potential dangers of standing at the crossroad of righteousness and sin. I don’t want to be anywhere, around anyone that leads me to be tempted. Don't get me wrong, I don’t have an issue with sharing the gospel with sinners, but I am aware of the pros and cons of being at home in the culture, which tragically has become the new norm. So, I'm no longer willing to allow myself to enter into situations where I'll find myself tempted, because I am well aware of my susceptibility to be lured back in to it. You cannot immerse yourself in the culture and speak that language, lowering the bar of Christian leadership to accommodate the world, without suffering the consequences. As the old adage says, "Bad company corrupts good character." These words still resonate with me, even today. I believe it is no coincidence that Mark ends chapter 10, with the final miracle in Jesus’ ministry, giving sight to the blind, before we begin chapter 11, the triumphal entry of Jesus, leading to the cross.
Let us pray
Heavenly Father,
Father, we thank You for Your Word, for helping us to understand that blindness comes in many forms, those who cannot physically see, those who see perfectly, yet are spiritually blind. But You have the power to supernaturally impart sight to all who will seek You as a beggar and cry out in desperation for mercy. This is really only one way to really understand salvation, we were all once hopelessly blind sinners, going through life in spiritual darkness, under divine judgment. Lord, open the eyes of those who are blinded by Satan, unaware of their own spiritual condition, incapable of understanding their desperate need for Christ. Father, open our eyes to see those in need, open our ears to hear those silently
crying out, open our hearts and awaken our faith in this busy season, let us not forget what grace really means, compel us to take action to meet the needs
of those around us who are hurting with the love and compassion of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. In His name we ask and pray these things.
Amen
Today's Message: Open My Eyes Lord
Open your Bibles with me to the Gospel of Mark, chapter 10, verses 46 through 52. This is a tremendous portion of Scripture, a clear picture of the compassion of Christ, even with His death being just days away, He was not too busy to help others. Let us open our hearts and minds as I read this last paragraph in Mark chapter 10. May the Lord graciously use
this last section to impart sight to all of us. Mark 10:46-52.
"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. 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!" And many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him here." So they *called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage, get up! He is calling for you." And throwing off his outer garment, he jumped up and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered him and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And the blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!" And Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has saved you." Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road."
Let's look at verse 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." In Jesus' day, the Old Testament Jericho was ruins but the New Testament Jericho, which was just
south of there, I mention this because in Luke's parallel account, he
says, "As He was approaching Jericho," which is simply a difference in perspective, not a biblical error, as some have tried to suggest. From this point forward, there are no other healing miracles recorded, no more stories of conversion in these final days. This is His last healing miracle. It would been all too easy for Him to have become distracted, as He looked upon Jerusalem, preoccupied with the disciples, who would soon carry on His legacy, but instead, He stopped to respond to the request of a blind beggar to grant him sight. Matthew tells us there were two blind men sitting by the road, which is not surprising, since beggars traditionally would hang around just outside the city gate, where the people would enter and leave the city. However, both Mark and Luke simply focuses on one, Bartimaeus, to tell the story of his conversion. By the time Mark pens his Gospel, their beloved friend Bartimaeus was a fellow believer.
This encounter with Bartimaeus reveals much about his condition, first that he was blind, living in total darkness and there was nothing he could do about it. Second, that because of his condition, he was a beggar, unable to hold a job, he was completely dependent on the mercy and generosity of others. Bartimaeus condition paints a perfect picture of those who are spiritually blind, also beggars, and they have absolutely no means of providing salvation for themselves. I thank God, that while I was blind, lost in utter darkness, stumbling along the pathway of sin, Jesus passed by, opened my eyes and gave me gift of salvation!
Verse 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!" Luke tells us, Bartimaeus, hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was, and they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. Notice the crowd who could see, said this man was Jesus of Nazareth, but Bartimaeus, who couldn’t see Jesus but he had a very different perception of who this is. "He began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Mark uses an onomatopoetic term, the verb "krázō," it means to shriek with deep emotion, to cry out loudly with an urgent scream in desperation. It’s a very strong word. Notice he doesn’t say, "Jesus of Nazareth," he screams, "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!," focusing on His messianic title to capture His attention. He knows exactly Who Jesus is, only He can provide what he needs. He makes no claim as to his worthiness, there's a sense of humility. His anguished cry "have mercy on me," tells us he knows he not deserving; he is completely dependent on Jesus' mercy to be healed.
Verse 48, "And many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" There's was no sympathy from the crowd, only a stern warning to be quiet. It seems the world is always trying to keep people who desperately need Jesus from getting to Him, but this man didn't care, he knew he had to capture His attention, so he refuses to be quiet and persistently "kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Clearly, he believes everything that he’s heard about Jesus even though he couldn’t see Him, and knows his situation is hopeless and is willing to stop at nothing, determined to get to Jesus. I don't know if you have ever experienced that kind of desperation, let me tell you, it is powerful, I know, I've been there! In this world, there are many people who think they're too important to stop what they're doing, to make time for you, pastors and church leaders included, because they have someone "more important" to talk to. But not Jesus, He stops everything! What a comforting feeling to know that Jesus Christ, the Creator of heaven and earth, always has time for you.
Look at verse 49, "And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him here." So they *called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage, get up! He is calling for you." Luke says He commanded that he be brought to Him. Imagine the joy he must have felt at that moment. Take courage is the Greek verb "tharséō," meaning to have unflinching courage, confidence that is Spirit-produced. It's interesting how quickly Jesus’ response changes their attitude.
I'd like you to stop and just think for a moment, how often do we come to
Jesus as a last resort rather than our first option, even seeing the
countless accounts throughout the Gospels of the compassion He has
toward people? Some of you might think you’ve gone too far; that your sin is to great, and He couldn’t possibly forgive you or meet your great need. Take courage, if you will cry out to Him and ask for mercy on you, He will help you in the midst of uncertainty, heal your brokenness, forgive your sin, save your soul and give you peace like you have never known! Mercy means to give people what they don’t deserve.
Verse 50, "And throwing off his outer garment, he jumped up and came to Jesus." Obviously this man is blind, somebody had help bring him to Jesus, but notice he immediately threw off his outer garment, that was a beggar’s cloak was his identity, he threw away his past, jumped up and ran to Jesus with nothing but his need for mercy. He believed his life was about to change. This is a beautiful picture of salvation, when to Christ, we come as a beggar in desperate need of His mercy. Forgiveness is available through Jesus Christ, to those who are willing to embrace the salvation that He offers His way. If you think that you don’t need Jesus, think again, this could be the day in your life when everything changes! Because when you have Jesus Christ, you have everything you need. True salvation will change you instantly, completely, and eternally.
Verse 51, "And Jesus answered him and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And the blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!" Notice, Jesus is communicating a very important spiritual truth the disciples and all of us by taking on the role of a humble servant, and a slave, asking the beggar what He can do for him. He told them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.’" Here, He's showing them the way to be great in the kingdom. Our problem is many in the church have become too dignified, to important to comprehend what Jesus is really endeavoring to teach us here. There is none so blind as he who refuses to see, spiritual blindness is more dangerous than physical blindness, God can’t help you until you humble yourself and acknowledge that you to be changed! Christ has called everyone of us to a very different kind of life, one of humility and compassion, grace and mercy and forgiveness, a stark contrast to the values and principals of this world, where everybody wants to be elevated and served.
When we come to God, with our prayer request, we can trust that He hears
our requests, and believe that He will meet our needs according to His
great will. In James 4:2, he tells us "You do not have because you do not ask." And, in Philippians 4:6,
Paul writes "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
That brings us to verse 52, "And Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has saved you." Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road." Jesus always gives more than we expect, doesn't He? Bartimaeus came to Jesus seeking physical healing and received spiritual healing as well. The verb "sṓzō " means to be rescued out of danger, the penalty and power of sin and brought into the provision of His safety. What makes this verse especially beautiful is after he was healed, and regained his sight, we see the clear evidence of his salvation, he left his old life as a beggar behind and began following Jesus with a desire to walk with Him and to serve Him. Throughout the New Testament, we see Jesus has not only the power to heal, but to save sinners, transform them into obedient followers.
Let me tell you, to this day, I have never gotten over what Jesus did for me. I deserved to die in my sin and spend eternity in hell, but by His marvelous grace, I've been saved, rescued from the penalty of sin, healed by His saving grace. The desires of the past, no longer have a hold on me. Oh, those old desires of the past may still rear their ugly head from time to time, but
there is now a genuine desire to resist those temptations, and live
faithfully for Him. A true child of God has no business holding onto to this sinful world. I am very deeply concerned for those who claim to be saved but have no desire to abandon their past and serve the Lord. If the desires of your heart hasn’t changed, there's a good possibility that you have never really been saved. In order to cultivate spiritual growth, we must remove the toxic influences of our past that cloud our vision. Your blindness will never get better on its own, it cal only be healed by His saving grace.
May it be so..
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
Copyright © 2019-2023 All Rights Reserved
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
Copyright © 2019-2023 All Rights Reserved