Those who receive spiritual sight behold the beauty of the Lord

Mark 10: 46-52 Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

Literary Context (What ideas did Mark want to communicate when writing this gospel)

· This is the last miracle of healing in the gospel of Mark and the final episode before Jesus entered Jerusalem.

· This miracle appears here because of its traditional association with Jericho near Jerusalem.

· This healing is similar in Mark 8:22-26.

· The two blind men who regain their sight contrast with the spiritual blindness of the religious leaders and the disciples' blurred vision.

· This passage relates to what follows.  The blind man's "Son of David" prepares Jesus' entry into Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-11).

· This episode reminds readers that Jesus is indeed the Davidic Messiah, who comes to Jerusalem to fulfill his messianic task. 

The central idea

Bartimaeus' healing marks the end of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem and brings together a number of important themes: 

1. The identification of Jesus as the Davidic Messiah and Son of God

2. His compassion for the poor and marginalized by God's grace

3. The Contrast Between the Blind Man's Spiritual Perception and the Disciples' Blindness

4. The recovery of sight is a symbol of the promised restoration of creation in the new age of salvation (Isaiah 35:5-6).  

Explanation of the text

Mark 10:46

· Jericho, one of the oldest cities in the world,

· The large crowd may be pilgrims heading to Jerusalem for the Passover (Psalm 42:4), but throughout Mark's narrative, the crowds demonstrate Jesus' popularity because of his authoritative teaching and healing

· Beggars were a common occurrence in the East, without a welfare system.

· Begging was the only means of support for those who could not work or did not have family to take care of them

· A stall on a main thoroughfare was a coveted place, especially when religiously spirited crowds were on their way to Jerusalem for Passover (Acts 3:1-2)

Mark 10:47

· "Jesus" was a commonly used name in the first century, so "of Nazareth" was used to distinguish

· The blind man shouts to Jesus, "Son of David," a title that seems to have become popular in Jesus' day to designate the Messiah

· The triumphal entry that follows shows that Mark confirms the traditional expectations of a Davidic Messiah, even stating that the Messiah's surprising role is to suffer and die as a ransom for sins (Mark 10:45).

· Jesus is about to enter Jerusalem; a blind beggar demonstrates amazing spiritual insight by recognizing him as the coming Davidic king.

Mark 10:48

· The reason for the reprimand is not stated.  Most likely, a blind beggar would be considered too socially insignificant to bother a rabbi as important as Jesus.

· Persistence is an important sign of faith in Mark's gospel and is rewarded by Jesus

· Jesus does not rebuke or correct the man, which shows that Jesus accepts the title of "Son of David"

Mark 10:49-50

· When a man is called by Jesus, he responds immediately.

· His "coat" was likely a cloak that he could wear over his shoulders or throw on the ground to collect the charities. Mark notes that Jesus calls, and the man responds.

Mark 10:51

· Jesus does not immediately heal the man but dialogues with him in an attempt to provoke his faith

· The man expresses his desire to see

Mark 10:52

Jesus often tells those he heals to "go."  The reasons are varied:

1. That his healing may be recorded before the priests (Mark 1:44)

2. To return home or to family to bear witness (Mark 2:11; 5:19)

3. To be reunited with loved ones (Mark 7:29)

In all of them, the departure is also the farewell of Jesus, who thus confirms that the healing is complete (Mark 5:34)

Applied Theology

· Jesus prepares to enter Jerusalem as the Son of David, the messianic king foretold in Scripture.

· It is there that the next act of the drama of redemption will take place

· The blind man's faith and recovery of sight contrasts sharply with the spiritual blindness of the religious leaders, who oppose Jesus and plan his death

· There are "two" themes especially prominent in this passage

#1. The humble recipients of God's grace

· Jesus did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45)

· Although his goal was to reach Jerusalem, Jesus was able to hear the cry of a blind man and stand to the side to help

· Bartimaeus was a blind beggar who possessed only one cloak.  However, he is in a better position to receive God's blessings than the rich man Jesus met along the way (Mark 10:17-31)

Contrasts

· He arrives with nothing, and so he receives the gift of physical healing and spiritual vision

· The rich man arrives with a life full of wealth and, therefore, has no room for God's grace, and grace is the entrance to God's kingdom

· The poor, sick, blind, oppressed, and marginalized are the ones who receive God's grace

· Proud and righteous religious leaders reject the proclaimed kingdom and thus receive blind eyes and deaf ears (Mark 4:11-12)

· Lazarus, the poor beggar, now sits at the messianic banquet next to Father Abraham

· The rich man languishes in Hades (Luke 16:19-31)

· Humble and Repentant Tax Collector Leaves the Temple Justified

· The self-righteous Pharisee does not get forgiveness (Luke 18:14)

Applications for Christians:

1. The first is to recognize our own status as sinners whom only God's grace can save.  This should make us feel gratitude to God and provoke our humility in front of others

2. God's love for the lost should prompt us as a people to demonstrate the same love and concern for those who are on the margins of society, whether because of their poverty, disability, or who are overwhelmed by the burdens of life.

#2. True Discipleship: Persistent Faith in the Face of Obstacles

· Bartimaeus serves as a model of discipleship.  He approaches with humility, asking for mercy even though others want to silence him.

· The theme of faith in spite of obstacles is highlighted in Mark's gospel.

· The woman with hemorrhages has to overcome her fear to experience Jesus' healing touch (Mark 5:28)

· Jairus must continue to believe despite the news of his daughter's death (Mark 5:35-36)

· The Syrophoenician woman needs to persist in her request despite Jesus' initial rejection (Mark 7:27-28)

· True discipleship involves not only persevering in faith but also a willingness to leave everything and follow Jesus.

Discipleship means:

1. Abandon pride,

2. Selfishness,

3. Seeing the world God's way,

4. Submitting our lives to His purpose and will