Blind Bartimaeus

Conversations with Christ:

Blind Bartimaeus

(Mark 10:46-52)

Logan Peters

[1] Introduction:

1. In the first century, blindness was a major medical issue, with over 3% of the Roman population having been legally blind.

2. Often, blindness was attributed by man to indicate the sins of one’s parents (John 9:2).

3. Medical treatments were few and far between, with the only affordable source of medicine would be salve (Rev. 3:18) and it only helped those who were not completely blind.

4. The account of Bartimaeus is a direct reflection of those who would come to Christ–blind and lost in the world, until contacting the Savior.

5. Most of us know the line of a popular hymn that states, “I once was blind, but now I see.”

6. This beautiful exchange between Bartimaeus and Christ offer us insights to our own faith and convictions.

I. The Confession of Faith (Mark 10:46-48).

A. Bartimaeus, though blind and a beggar, knew beforehand about Jesus and believed in Him.

1. Immediately when he heard that Christ was approaching, he cried out to Jesus.

2. The phrase “Son of David” is a confession of Jesus being the Messiah.

3. Asking for mercy is a sign that Bartimaeus trusted in the divine power of Christ.

B. Confession of faith is a cry of mercy from the lost to the Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

1. Bartimaeus not only confesses Jesus as the Messiah and His divine power, but through His confession, he seeks out compassion and mercy.

2. There are at least two examples that come to mind when thinking about those who faithfully sought compassion from Christ (Acts 2:37; Acts 16:30).

3. The Levitical priest would offer the blood of sacrificed animal by placing it upon the mercy seat (Lev. 16:14-15).

a. Christ makes the mercy offering to God through His blood (Heb. 9:24-26).

b. We are redeemed by the blood of Jesus (1 Pet. 1:18-19).

C. Bartimaeus knew about Jesus and called out to Him.

1. How many of us know Jesus, yet never call out to Him?

2. As people told Bartimaeus to stop speaking, he continued to call out to the Savior.

II. The Action of Faith (Mark 10:49-50).

A. Faith causes us to leave something behind.

1. Christ commanded that Bartimaeus be called; interestingly, those who were telling Bartimaeus to be quiet are now telling him to rush over to Jesus.

2.  As he arose to go to Jesus, Bartimaeus left behind his cloak.

a. To follow Christ, we must leave behind that old man of sin (Rom. 6:1-7).

b. We must be ready to put the old life away never to look back to it (Luke 17:32).

3. If I am not ready to let that old man go, I am not ready for the next step.

B. We must hear the call of Christ and go to Him.

1. Christ always offers the invitation (Matt. 11:28-29).

2. We must come to Christ as he commands.

a. Christ commanded for Bartimaeus to come, and he went the opposite way, right?

b. Did he reject the call to come, and said “Just have mercy on me from behind the crowd?”

3. When we answer the invitation call by God, we are required to do things to be in obedience, to receive mercy (Plan of salvation).

4. There is a pattern in which we are to follow (2 Tim. 1:13), and this allows us to rise and come to Christ; to be baptized and rise to follow Him.

III. True Healing of Faith. (Mark 10:51-52).

A. This has been a one-sided affair, but Christ says few, but powerful words.

1. Jesus wants us to come to Him, and to be healed spiritually.

2. This call to be healed is not focused on one specific people, but all.

a. I have never obeyed or heard the gospel; does Christ still want me? Yes!

b. I have committed many sins in my life, how could Jesus want me (1 John 2:2)?

c. I have obeyed but fell away, does Christ still want me (Luke 15:15-28)? Yes!

B. “Thy faith hath made thee whole.”

1. It is our faith in Christ that drives us to Him.

2. It is our faith that allows us to cast all things to the side and seek after Him.

3. It is our faith that makes us well, heals us from the sickness of sin.

C. After the healing from our sins, we must follow Christ continually.

1. Faith is not a one-time thing, but a continuous action of living every day in accordance with the will of God (Matt. 7:21).

2. We arise to walk a new life, a life healed from sin with a promise of eternal life (Rom. 6:).

Conclusion:

1. The faith of a blind man led him to see.

2. A sinner who develops faith, will be led to see the truth.

3. We have seen three important aspects of faith from Bartimaeus.

4. What now?

5. It is time for all men to seek after Christ, calling out to Him for salvation.

6. We must call out in a way that displays He is the true Messiah, the Son of God.

7. We must obey His commandments fully to receive eternal salvation.

8. Have your eyes been opened to the beautiful blessing of being a Christian, or are you still blinded by the world?

[1]Notes compiled from Justin Rogers at the Truth In Love Lectures (2025), in Pulaski, TN.