THE HEALING OF A BLIND MAN WHO COULD SEE

Mark 10:46-52

Intro:

They say that

“The worst blind person is the one who does not want to see”.

I suppose this is true because there are many who see perfectly physically, but live in absolute blindness with respect to the Lord.

They refuse to see the love of Christ. Many have heard the truth of Jesus, but have never had their eyes opened to see their condition, and if they continue to walk as they do, they will end up in eternal damnation.

Today’s Sacred Text presents us with a man who was absolutely blind.

Bartimaeus was physically blind, but he was able to see things on a spiritual level that others could not. This man was physically blind, but he had the spiritual vision to achieve his miracle.

The story of blind Bartinaeus reminds us that: not everyone listening to me today can see – I am not talking about physical blindness – their eyes work fine. I have not seen anyone here with a white cane, a guide dog, or anyone with sight to help them this morning.

However, there are those among us (in the family, at work, at school, etc.) who simply do not see. Although they can see the world around them, they cannot see the truth of their spiritual condition, they cannot see God’s love, God’s power, and God’s plan for their lives. Why? They are spiritually blind.

My prayer for this moment is that through the preaching of the Word everyone will come to see that Jesus is who we need.

All I ask of you at this moment is that you give the Lord the opportunity to speak to your heart and that you respond to Him in the way He leads you.

If you do this, then you will come out of this place in a higher level of relationship with God and you will be able to see things that you have never seen before.

Let’s learn together the story of “Bartimaeus, the Blind Man Who Could See.” – Important points from the story of Bartimaeus:

I. HIS PITIFUL CONDITION

Mark 10:46 NKJV

46 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.

A. He was physically blind -

Apparently this condition was present from birth. Blindness was a common condition in biblical times, due to various diseases and health conditions.

B. He was a beggar -

Because of his physical condition, Bartimaeus was unable to find and work to earn a living. In those days, there were no welfare programs or charities to help him. There were no government programs to which he could turn. Bartimaeus was completely dependent on the generosity of others to survive. His condition was pitiful and miserable!

C. He was a picture of a spiritual reality

From a spiritual standpoint, Bartimaeus is a perfect portrait of every person who is without Jesus and lost in sin. Like Bartimaeus, the person without Christ is spiritually blind, look at the following scriptures:

2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV

4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Ephesians 4:18 NIV

18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

“They are darkened in their understanding” is a expression of spiritual blindness.

They are blind to their condition, their sin, and their impending eternal destruction.

(Ill. Example of the adulterous man Mr. M…)

(The mother who lost her daughter to drowning in the pool while she was looking at her cell phone)

Only Jesus can open our eyes!

Like Bartimaeus, the lost person is also a spiritual beggar. They can do nothing and have nothing within themselves to produce salvation.

They are simply sitting by the side of the road of life begging for help!

I) His Pitiful Condition

II. HIS PERSISTENT CRY

Mark 10:47–49 NIV

47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”

(Even though Bartimaeus was blind, he was able to se things that others all around him, who had their vision, could not see.)

A. He Recognized Who Jesus Was

Apparently, Bartimaeus had heard about the miracles Jesus had performed.

He must have heard about the lepers, the lame, those delivered from demons, even the dead that Jesus had touched and brought back to life.

As he sat on the road, he heard the travelers talking to each other.

He heard about Jesus, and he knew that what Jesus had done for others he could do for Bartimaeus too!

(Ill. This is the first step in coming to Jesus for your own miracle/salvation. Bartimaeus heard, he believed on Him. Rom. 10:9)

B. He Realized What Jesus Could Do

Bartimaeus exercised faith in Jesus, which is the key ingredient to receiving anything from God, Eph. 2:8-9. Heb.11:6; Mark 11:22

This poor, blind man saw things that most people in that crowd did not: - He saw some things that many have never seen.

1. He saw that His Greatest Opportunity Had Come

For years this man had sat by the side of the road begging.

He was helpless and in a hopeless condition.

As Jesus passed by, it dawned on Bartimaeus that if Jesus was who He claimed to be, this was the day of his greatest opportunity.

As a result, he began to cry out for the Lord to have mercy on him.

Bartimaeus, though blind, was able to opportunity when it stared him in the face.

Application: (Ill. There are people this morning who need to see that today could be the day of the greatest opportunity of your life.

You have the opportunity right now to come to Jesus and be saved forever by His grace.

You have the opportunity right now to come to Jesus with that problem…sin…

2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV

2 For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

However, if you ignore this opportunity and choose to continue in your sins, then you have no option in the future but the judgment of God and eternal damnation.

2. He Saw That This Opportunity Could Easily Pass Him By

If Bartimaeus had sat still that day and said nothing, then the next day would have been like all the others before.

He would have sat by the road begging until he died.

He may have been blind, but even he could see that unless he did something about this situation, he was doomed to a life of misery and darkness.

(Ill. Every lost person in this room needs to understand that Jesus Christ loves you He died on the cross to save you and He will do just that today if you will only come to Him.

However, He will not force Himself into your life. If you do not receive Him, then you will never be saved.

If God has been calling you to come to Him, I challenge you obey that call. If you refuse, then this golden opportunity will certainly pass you by.)

3. He Saw That This Opportunity Might Never Return Again

Apparently, Jesus had never passed that way before and for all Bartimaeus knew, He might never pass that way again.

He knew that if he were going to receive help from Jesus, then he had to call on Jesus while He was near.

(Ill. Again friend, you need to understand that if you allow salvation to pass you by this morning, you may never have the opportunity to be saved again.

You see, you cannot be saved any time you want to be saved. The only time you can come to the Lord is while He is calling you to come to Him.

When you feel that pressure on your heart. When you know you are lost and want to change, then that is the time to come to the Lord,

I got to show you these 3 Scriptures…

John 6:44 NIV

44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.

To delay may mean that you will never have the opportunity to be saved again

Genesis 6:3 NIV

3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, … ”

Isaiah’s advise is still good today - Isa. 55:6

Isaiah 55:6 NIV

6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

4. He Saw That Christ's Way Was Far Better Than His Own

After Bartimaeus had received healing from the Lord, he was told to "go thy way." However, he saw that Christ's way was a far better way than his own and he followed Jesus and according to Luke 18:43, he praised the name of the Lord as he followed Jesus in the way.

(Ill. There is a lesson here for every person who has been saved. Especially those who have come to Jesus in recent days. After salvation, there will be a change of direction in your life, 2 Cor. 5:17.)

(Ill. May I say to every lost person in this auditorium today that Jesus Christ is not too busy to hear your cry either. In fact, there is nothing in this universe more important to Him than you are. Remember the price that He paid for you. He proved His love for you when He climbed Calvary and paid for you sins on the cross. I promise you that if you will cry out to Him, He will save your soul today!)

III. HIS PERSONAL COST

Mark 10:50 NIV

50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

(According to this verse, when Jesus called, Bartimaeus got up to go. The Bile says that he cast away his garment. This means that he threw aside his outer coat and jumped up to go to Jesus. This coat must have been very valuable to Bartimaeus. He must have known that someone else could easily pick it up and carry it away. He must have known that he could have lost it and this man would not have had the means to replace it. However, he counted the cost and was willing to pay whatever price was necessary just to get to Jesus.)

(Ill. I do not want anyone to leave here today under the impression that coming to Jesus is without personal cost. Sometimes the price we are called on to pay is very high. Some have lost family and friends over a decision for Christ. Some have given up home and even their lives because they chose to follow the Lord Jesus. Everyone who comes to Him has to give up something. Some sin or some wicked relationship, something. You simply need to know that however high the cost may be that you have to pay, in the end that cost is very cheap when compared with the worth of your soul - Mark 8:36-37

Mark 8:36–37 NIV

36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

Do not be afraid of the cost, what a person receives from Jesus far out ways any price we may be called on to pay.)

IV. HIS POWERFUL CURE

Mark 10:51–52 NIV

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

(Ill. When Bartimaeus came to Jesus, he was asked a very important question and his response was one of pure faith.

He trusted Jesus to heal him and then, the impossible happened, the blind man received his sight was restored to wholeness at the word of Jesus.

We need to understand that when Jesus said "your faith has healed you" that this phrase literally means, "has saved you".

Bartimaeus got far more than physical healing that day, he also got spiritual healing as well.)

(Ill. This is what happens when the lost person responds to the Gospel of grace. Immediately, when faith is exercised, the power of God moves in that person's life and God saves them instantly, completely and eternally!

In this day of religion and self-righteousness, we need to remember that salvation only comes about through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Acts 16:31!

If you are trusting anything other than Jesus for you salvation, then you are in for a rude awakening when you leave this world. It is Jesus Christ or it is nothing!)

V. HIS PREFERRED COURSE

(Ill. As I mentioned a moment ago, after Bartimaeus was healed, Jesus told him to go his way. Bartimaeus, however, wanted to be near to One who had healed him and had saved him. This is a theme repeated several times in the Gospels. For instance, I think of the Gadarene Demoniac in Mark 5 who wanted to go be with Jesus after he was healed and saved.)

(Ill. This simply reminds us that when salvation comes into a life, that there will be a desire for the things of God.

The saved person will want to walk with the Lord in holiness. They will want to be around other saints. They will want to be in the church and be part of what God is doing in the local congregation. (cell group) There will be a profound change of life. It will be dramatic! In many cases, it will be as dramatic as what happened to Lazarus when Jesus raised him from the dead, John 11. As simply as I can state, it let me just say that when Jesus saves you He makes you alive in Him, Eph. 2:1-10. When this happens, you will be different. And, if you aren’t different after you have made a profession of faith, then you probably aren’t saved!)

Conclusion:

One day a Christian and a Communist were sitting on a park bench watching the world go by. As they watched, a poor, drunken beggar walked by dressed in rags. The Communist pointed to the beggar and said, “Communism would put a new suit on that man!” To which the Christian responded, “Maybe so, but Jesus Christ can put a new man in that suit.”

Folks, you do not need to run over a new leaf. You do not need to get “religion”. You do not need to try and make a bunch of worthless external changes. What you need this morning is to be born again. You need for Jesus to put a new person in your suit. If you know you are lost and would like to be saved, then I invite you to come to Jesus right now. He will save you if you will respond to Him.

I would also like to say to those who are already saved that many of God’s saints are walking around like blind beggars. If you are saved, you are not supposed to live like a sinner. If there are things in your life that need to be made right with the Lord, then I invite you to come to Him right now. He will receive you, forgive you and restore you this morning if you will only come to Him.

Jesus is passing by! Please do not this opportunity pass, come to Him and be made whole.