Greater > Than Part 3

FAITH > sight

Paul teaching the Corinthian Church about the promise of the resurrection:

“Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”

‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‬

While this is referring to one particular promise, what he teaches is applicable to all the promises God has made.

Foundational Truth: God has given us a deposit on the guarantee:

“Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬-‭21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The Activation of the Promise is Predicated on these Principles:

1. Faith > Sight

“For we live by believing and not by seeing.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

2. What you believe is more important than what you see.

3. When you can’t see, listen.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Bartimaeus literally had no sight but he could listen and what he heard created Faith.

“Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 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!”

Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.”

Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭46‬-‭52‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

4. When you are in need, Jesus is passing by.

Think of:

The disciples in the boat and Jesus passes by on the water.

The widow of Nain’s son - her only source of provision to keep her from becoming a beggar.

Sis. Iris testimony

5. God is Merciful

“Jesus, Son of David” revealed that Bartimaeus believed Jesus was Divine. He was the Messiah sent from God.

His cry also appealed to Him as a Merciful Father

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the Lord of Lords! For His mercy endures forever:”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭136‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

6. Don’t be silenced

The enemy wants to silence your voice

When you hear His voice, act in faith.

The cloak may have been his sole source of shelter and warmth, and the most valuable item he owned. He may have also used the cloak to collect money as potential alms-givers passed by him. Law-keeping Jews were not supposed to touch him, so it was likely he spread out his cloak on the ground or over his lap to receive coins as passers by either tossed them to him or dropped them into his lap. His not being able to see would have made it difficult to catch these gifts, so the cloak would have played an important role in his being able to collect whatever was tossed to him by others who were moved to take pity on him as they beheld his humble and desperate state.

Bartimaeus throws off his cloak and approaches the Teacher. The cloak here is used as a visual cue for blind person or beggar. It was often the only source of shelter, or lay it on the ground to collect alms. Interesting that the rich man in v.17-22 had trouble giving up his riches, but Bartimaeus immediately throws it all away.

Join Jesus on the road.