Getting Help: Blind Bartimaeus

Communion:

1 Corinthians 11:23–32 NKJV

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

[Bread]

[Cup]

Introduction:

This account we find in Mark’s gospel is a picture of man’s needing help and needing desperately. As we read the story, there is no question about the man’s blindness is a picture of the blindness, darkness, and needs of the world that reels in desperation for help. The need may be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual; it may be some problem with the mind, some desperate loneliness, or some tragic sin. Whatever it is, this passage spells out the steps for getting help.

v.46) Jesus available to help:

Jesus has been heading towards Jerusalem—where he would ultimately be crucified, buried, but would be resurrected three days later—currently in our passage Jesus and his disciples are now in Jericho. We do not know for how long though.

In those days, Jericho was one of the most important cities in Israel. One of the world’s main commercials roads ran right through the city, north to south. The city was only about seventeen miles from Jerusalem, and it was though to be one of the oldest cities in the world.

Passover was quickly approaching, and what this means is thousands of pilgrims were making their way to Jerusalem. Meaning a lot of these pilgrims were traveling through Jericho.

I believe, blind Bartimaeus knew this, and he also knew religious people were more sensitive to the needs of the helpless people who had to beg for a living. However, more importantly, Bartimaeus had heard of Jesus:

Luke 18:35–38 NKJV

35 Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. 36 And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. 37 So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38 And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

This would be Bartimaeus’ best chance to find Jesus and ask for healing.

Family, please heed this point.

Every man, woman, and child must come to Jesus Christ for salvation. after all the Scriptures states:

John 14:6 NKJV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

What this means family, is that every lost soul must come to Jesus Christ for salvation; for there is no other way. They must go to Jesus, they need to know where to find Jesus too. Just like Bartimaeus, the lost need to go where Jesus “passes by.” The lost need to go where they can hear Jesus… less they miss eternal life.

How many of us fail to realize we are those, who should be taking Jesus into the byways and highways. We, believer, are to be taking the Gospel of Christ to those who are desperately in need of it. Especially the those spiritually blind to Christ:

2 Corinthians 4:3–5 NKJV

3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.

Romans 10:14–15 NKJV

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

There are many, who need to hear the Gospel. We have a job to do!

Also if you are struggling with sin, hardships, trials, or anything else. Do you know that Jesus is available to help. You simply have to go to Him. In prayer, His Word, and in fellowship with the saints—who should point you to prayer and the Word also.

v.47) The need to believe the reports about Jesus:

This leads us to our second point of how to get help is by believing the reports about Jesus. Bartimaeus heard all sort of things from the people passing by—the noise of individuals, of groups, of whole caravans.

He probably heard all kinds of talking: serious, jovial, commercial, vain, rude, off-colored, religious. But something happened: I’m sure the talk was different, the noise and talk were about Jesus, One for whom Bartimaeus had hoped and longed.

For the first time in his life, I believe hope swelled in him. He knew there was a possibility he might be healed and enabled to see. No doubt from the first day he had heard about Jesus, he had hoped and longed for the chance when Jesus might pass by.

Why? Because he believed the testimonies about Jesus.

Sitting there by the road as Jesus passed by, he had no way to know if Jesus was close to him or even if it was the proper Jesus he heard so much about.

Family we must believe the report, the testimony of Jesus Christ. All Bartimaeus ever had was what he had heard. He only knew the testimony people were sharing.

How are you sharing the testimony of what Christ has done for you to those in your sphere of influence?

Family, do you believe in the testimonies of Jesus Christ? The Word states:

John 20:31 NKJV

31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

v.47) Acknowledging your need:

The next step to get help is to acknowledge your personal need for Jesus. As soon as Bartimaeus beard it was Jesus, he instantly began shouting out to get the attention of Jesus, creating as much fuss and noise as he could above the crowd.

The point I want to make is this: Bartimaeus acknowledged his need, and he confessed it publicly. He didn’t approach Jesus secretly or quietly by asking someone close by to appeal to Jesus on his behalf.

He had a desperate need and he accepted the fact. He wanted the help of Jesus no matter what.

He cried to the “Son of David.” This was an inadequate concept of Jesus; however, Bartimaeus approached Jesus as his hope, his savior, his deliverer, his master. He used what knowledge he had of Jesus and cried out to Him.

There is not a believer alive or dead who had an adequate concept of Jesus when first coming to Jesus. I believe no person understands Jesus until after they are saved and have received the HS and begin to study the Word of God with His help.

Bartimaeus cry was for mercy, not for anything else. He was blind and a beggar, yet he did not cry for housing or clothing or food. He cried for his most basic need to be met—mercy!

Luke 18:13–14 NKJV

13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

v.48) Endure and persevere after Jesus:

Next step for help is to be persistent and persevere after Jesus. Many among the crowd tried to hush Bartimaeus; however he was so desperate and determined and was dead set.

He would not be discouraged, silenced or stopped. He cried to the top of his lungs, “Song of David, have mercy on me!”

The point being Bartimaeus persevered. He had need, and would not stop seeking to have his need met. Notice there was opposition to his cry, and there were many of them.

Again, he believed Jesus could really help him. His faith stood against all the voices of discouragement and against the feelings of so many that it was useless.

[Application] 3 points:

Each of us needs to understand our wretched state, prior to coming to Christ. Even now, if you are saved and washed in the blood of Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, you need Jesus desperately.

“Take the gates of heaven and shake them with they vehemence, as though thou wouldst pull them up post and bar and all. Stand at Mercy’s door, and take no denial. Knock, and knock, and knock again, as though thous wouldst shake the very spheres, but what thou wouldst obtain an answer to thy cries. ‘The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.’ Cold prayers never win God’s ear. Draw thy bow with thy full strength, if thou wouldst send thy arrow up so high as heaven.”–Spurgeon

If you do not have a desperate need for Christ, check yourself:

Revelation 3:17 NKJV

17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

Second point is this: Don’t you dare, even for a moment to try and prevent someone from coming to Jesus, who desperately need Him.

Third point: The world will chime in and raise their voices up against you, attempting:

To pull you away from Christ.

To tell you it is useless to seek after Christ.

To convince you of your need is too desperate to be met.

To encourage you to try the world’s way.

vv.49–50) Eagerly expect to receive Jesus’ help:

Be eagerly expecting to receive Jesus’ help:

Jesus had never been too busy to address a sincere cry for help.

There are two significant acts in this point.

Jesus stood still.

Because of the man’s need. He could not reach Jesus by himself.

Because the man had persisted in crying despite many opposing him.

Because Jesus never turns away from a person who cries for help.

John 6:37 NKJV

37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

The man cast aside his garment, casting aside all that might imped him. Bartimaeus wanted nothing to hinder him from reaching Jesus as quickly as he could.

All in one motion, casting aside the hindrances, sprang to his feet, and moved toward Jesus. The emphasis here is on his eagerness to reach Jesus and would not allow anything to hinder him.

[Application] What a shame that so few are so eager. How many of you and myself included hang on to which hinders and hampers and keeps us from reaching all that Christ has for us.

Ephesians 4:22 NKJV

22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

Hebrews 12:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 Peter 2:11 NKJV

11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

vv.51–52) Request precisely what you need:

This next step is requesting precisely what is needed.

Bartimaeus knew exactly what he needed and had no difficulty stating his need. He did not waver at all. He was not like many who are vague in their prayers and requests.

Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

He had examined himself and knew precisely what he needed.

Bartimaeus also needed, to make a personal confession to Jesus. Jesus, of course, knew what Bartimaeus needed; but the Lord’s knowing about the man’s need was not enough. The man had to make a personal confession to Jesus.

Matthew 10:32–33 NKJV

32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Bartimaeus needed to confess his faith in Jesus. And this goes for every many woman and child. After all the Bible states:

Romans 10:9 NKJV

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

The word for Lord (Rabboni) means my Master. The literal translation makes this possessive, “my great one, or my master.” Bartimaeus’ heart reached out to Jesus, desiring to belong to Him.

Lastly:

A specific request got a specific answer.

v.52) Experience the power of Discipleship: Jesus and following Him:

To get help you must follow Jesus. This was an incredible tender scene. Jesus had told Bartimaeus, “Go your way.” But Bartimaeus didn’t go, not after his Master had healed him.

Bartimaeus clung to Jesus. Nothing was going to pry him away. He “followed Jesus on the road.”

[There are several lessons to learn here]

There is a heart of appreciation, of being grateful and thankful.

Colossians 1:12 NKJV

12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Colossians 3:15 NKJV

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

There is the idea of genuineness of conversion. He followed through.

Luke 9:23 NKJV

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Family, not every believer is a disciple, yet, every disciple is a believer.

The path of discipleship is acknowledging your inability, trusting Jesus’ mercy, and altering your course to follow His.

Discipleship is where you are truly growing in the Lord, abiding in Him. Wanting to learn more and more about his Savior of men, and being obedient to the calling of God upon your life.

Matthew 11:28–30 (NKJV)

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke [service and discipleship] upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

For the true disciple there is the testimony of loyalty and faithfulness to Christ.

You know you have been truly changed by Jesus if you want to follow where He leads, and you actually do it.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

[Gospel Message]

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NKJV

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

Numbers 6:24–26 KJV 1900

24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.