Lived in an environment of Darkness

Blind Bartimaeus was sitting by the road begging (knew he had a need)

Jesus & His disciples (the in-crowd) & the multitudes were leaving the city (last chance)

Bartimaeus heard it was Jesus and begin to

Crying Out

SHOUT, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Don’t pass me by!

Those around him rebuked him (# of man) & told him to be quiet- to stay in the shadows- be a shadow person. But He SHOUTED even more (Faith confronts/doubt and fear flee)

He knew who Jesus was- Son of David- the Messiah.  He knew that the Messiah should belong to him also, not just the elite.

Jesus Responds

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to him (did not even bring him) “He is calling you..

He jumped up and threw aside his cloak (an encumbrance-nothing covered up.)

People must have made a path for him because they knew Jesus called

What do you want me to do for you? Why did You call on Me?

I Want to See

Rabbi, I want to see. (He knew his weakness- blindness and wanted to be made whole. (He knew Jesus was able and because He called and asked, Bartimaeus knew He was willing)

Go, your faith (focus on Jesus) has healed you

      Knew Who the answer was

      Cried aloud in His direction- knowing He was able. Knew if he could just attract His attention, he had a chance. He had no one to be his helper

      Now Jesus called for Him (when we draw nigh to Him, He draws nigh to us)

      Leaped up (eager-no fear of man or how Jesus would respond); cast off his cloak & went

      Jesus spoke (now he knew He was willing so he asked boldly )

      and was healed (immediately – no waiting) he received sight

Followed Jesus

      Followed Jesus along the road. (Because hi name was known- Mark used it because the people he wrote to would know him- he had found "place" in the church.

Entered into a new relationship with Jesus. He followed Jesus along the road- didn’t doubt that Jesus would want him along

*Bartimaeus found place 8(Mark gave us his name because the church was familiar with him & would know who he was writing about)