Blind Bartimaeus

Mark 10:46–52 KJV 1900

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Introduction

A friend inquired of me yesterday, “Will you preach on Sunday morning to saints or to sinners?” I could not, at the moment, answer him, but afterwards I thought to myself—“If I preach concerning Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, I shall kill two birds with one stone and give both saints and sinners a profitable theme for thought.” There is but one message of the gospel and it has a voice to all. Saints know no sweeter music than the name of Jesus and sinners know no richer comfort than His person and His work. We preach to all when we preach Him who is all in all. Christ comes as life to the dead and He is equally life to the living. - Spurgeon

Read from Bible |

Pray | Pastor & conference, for those crying for mercy that are being silenced

Sermon Introduction

as you turn to I would like for you to think about all the names of the people Jesus has healed / outside of Lazarus we just have this man. why?quote from Tegan “Jesus did not just come to earth to heal people.. that is just what God does on the way to the cross”remind you that is where Jesus is headed retell the story w/ details | “You can almost hear the sounds of the street if you listen..”focus on the crowd, the cry, and the Christ

46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

Mark 10:48 KJV 1900

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

v.48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal..

48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

They had convictions but no compassionTheological debate of And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?Jesus saw “a man” 9:1Disciples saw a theological debate.Jesus saw a person to minister to and they saw someone or something to talk about. The religious can be brutal. The people going inside the temple to worship were supposed to have a soft heart and so they would give to the beggars.Instead of being moved with compassion; we are moved to create memes, sign petitions, create brochures full of shocking stats.People were not helping get him to Jesus. As the people of Bethsaida did in And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.No hole cut in roof like we saw in Mark 2Same crowd that caused Zachaeus to climb up in a tree, for the Lord he wanted to see. The crowd always wants conformityDesired to silence the blind man. The pious probably thought they were doing the Lord a service.He would want to hear the cry of mercy over their shallow hallelujahs. Jesus came to help those who were sick. When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.They wanted him to fall in line. The Country for the Blind / HG WellsBartimeuas saw by faith what they did not. (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)They saw Jesus of Nazereth, he say Son of David; the MessiahThe only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision. - Helen KellerPeople would love to attend the parade that Jesus is the grand marshall, but few will see Him as the great physician and work to get ever beggar and blind man they can to Him!In a crowd but all alone. Have you ever felt this? Maybe you are in it right now?The world is filled with “all these lonely people”Father McKenzie, writing the words of a sermon no one will hear. Eleanor Rigby, picking up rice in the church where a wedding has been, but it’s not your wedding.Songs are written to relate to people. This song became famous because it related to so many people, “all the lonely people”.We could hear them today, if we would listen?People should see our good works and glorify the Father. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.I believe there may be many people weeping alone. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.Jesus really is a friend of sinners. He meets us in our loneliness.You can be there when the miracle happens.Can you imagine the excitement when the blind man hears "he was born like this to bring God glory”Can you imagine, this was the first time ever when he heard someone speak hope and love into his life about his sickness.

51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

John 9:9 KJV 1900

Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.

John 9:1 KJV 1900

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

John 9:1–3 KJV 1900

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?Jesus saw “a man” 9:1Disciples saw a theological debate.Jesus saw a person to minister to and they saw someone or something to talk about. The religious can be brutal. The people going inside the temple to worship were supposed to have a soft heart and so they would give to the beggars.Instead of being moved with compassion; we are moved to create memes, sign petitions, create brochures full of shocking stats.People were not helping get him to Jesus. As the people of Bethsaida did in And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.No hole cut in roof like we saw in Mark 2Same crowd that caused Zachaeus to climb up in a tree, for the Lord he wanted to see.

52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?Jesus saw “a man” 9:1Disciples saw a theological debate.Jesus saw a person to minister to and they saw someone or something to talk about. The religious can be brutal. The people going inside the temple to worship were supposed to have a soft heart and so they would give to the beggars.Instead of being moved with compassion; we are moved to create memes, sign petitions, create brochures full of shocking stats.People were not helping get him to Jesus. As the people of Bethsaida did in And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.No hole cut in roof like we saw in Mark 2Same crowd that caused Zachaeus to climb up in a tree, for the Lord he wanted to see.

Jesus saw a person to minister to and they saw someone or something to talk about.

The religious can be brutal.

The people going inside the temple to worship were supposed to have a soft heart and so they would give to the beggars.

Instead of being moved with compassion; we are moved to create memes, sign petitions, create brochures full of shocking stats.

People were not helping get him to Jesus.

As the people of Bethsaida did in

No hole cut in roof like we saw in

Same crowd that caused Zachaeus to climb up in a tree, for the Lord he wanted to see.

The Crowds Confusion v.48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal..They had convictions but no compassionTheological debate of And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?Jesus saw “a man” 9:1Disciples saw a theological debate.Jesus saw a person to minister to and they saw someone or something to talk about. The religious can be brutal. The people going inside the temple to worship were supposed to have a soft heart and so they would give to the beggars.Instead of being moved with compassion; we are moved to create memes, sign petitions, create brochures full of shocking stats.People were not helping get him to Jesus. As the people of Bethsaida did in And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.No hole cut in roof like we saw in Mark 2Same crowd that caused Zachaeus to climb up in a tree, for the Lord he wanted to see. The crowd always wants conformityDesired to silence the blind man. The pious probably thought they were doing the Lord a service.He would want to hear the cry of mercy over their shallow hallelujahs. Jesus came to help those who were sick. When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.They wanted him to fall in line. The Country for the Blind / HG WellsBartimeuas saw by faith what they did not. (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)They saw Jesus of Nazereth, he say Son of David; the MessiahThe only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision. - Helen KellerPeople would love to attend the parade that Jesus is the grand marshall, but few will see Him as the great physician and work to get ever beggar and blind man they can to Him!In a crowd but all alone. Have you ever felt this? Maybe you are in it right now?The world is filled with “all these lonely people”Father McKenzie, writing the words of a sermon no one will hear. Eleanor Rigby, picking up rice in the church where a wedding has been, but it’s not your wedding.Songs are written to relate to people. This song became famous because it related to so many people, “all the lonely people”.We could hear them today, if we would listen?People should see our good works and glorify the Father. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.I believe there may be many people weeping alone. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.Jesus really is a friend of sinners. He meets us in our loneliness.You can be there when the miracle happens.Can you imagine the excitement when the blind man hears "he was born like this to bring God glory”Can you imagine, this was the first time ever when he heard someone speak hope and love into his life about his sickness.

Desired to silence the blind man.

The pious probably thought they were doing the Lord a service.He would want to hear the cry of mercy over their shallow hallelujahs. Jesus came to help those who were sick. When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.They wanted him to fall in line. The Country for the Blind / HG WellsBartimeuas saw by faith what they did not. (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)They saw Jesus of Nazereth, he say Son of David; the MessiahThe only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision. - Helen KellerPeople would love to attend the parade that Jesus is the grand marshall, but few will see Him as the great physician and work to get ever beggar and blind man they can to Him!

The pious probably thought they were doing the Lord a service.He would want to hear the cry of mercy over their shallow hallelujahs. Jesus came to help those who were sick. When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

They wanted him to fall in line. The Country for the Blind / HG WellsBartimeuas saw by faith what they did not. (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)They saw Jesus of Nazereth, he say Son of David; the MessiahThe only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision. - Helen KellerPeople would love to attend the parade that Jesus is the grand marshall, but few will see Him as the great physician and work to get ever beggar and blind man they can to Him!

Have you ever felt this?

Maybe you are in it right now?The world is filled with “all these lonely people”Father McKenzie, writing the words of a sermon no one will hear. Eleanor Rigby, picking up rice in the church where a wedding has been, but it’s not your wedding.Songs are written to relate to people. This song became famous because it related to so many people, “all the lonely people”.

We could hear them today, if we would listen?

People should see our good works and glorify the Father. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.I believe there may be many people weeping alone. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.Jesus really is a friend of sinners. He meets us in our loneliness.You can be there when the miracle happens.Can you imagine the excitement when the blind man hears "he was born like this to bring God glory”Can you imagine, this was the first time ever when he heard someone speak hope and love into his life about his sickness.

The crowd shows no interest or compassion for this common begger. But Jesus will hear the voice of someone He loves, someone He is headed to the cross to die for. Bartimeus’s cry for mercy causes the Son to stand still.

The Compelling Cry 48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.Bartimaues was not going to lose his opportunity. He was not going to let the crowd keep him from Jesus. v.48 but he cried the more a great deal,He was willing to leave all he ever knew to follow Jesus. 50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.We have seen this type of radical urgency out of others. The Syrophoenician woman will not give up hope that Jesus will heal her daughter even though she is not a Jew and Jesus initially rebuffs her. ch.7Jairus must ignore the mockery of the mourners that Jesus can do nothing for his dead child ch. 5Friends must force their way through a crowd and a roof to bring their paralyzed companion to Jesus ch.2The leper and the woman with the flow of blood must disregard laws that forbid them from having contact with Jesus to receive his help ch.1 A desperate father must overcome his doubt that Jesus can do anything to help his tormented son when the disciples have already failed ch.9All these people had something in common that was different than the crowd. They knew they their helpless state. They knew that Jesus could meet their every need!Son of David v.48 but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.Powerful 8 wordsNothing fancy. Just recognizing he was sick and Jesus is the Great Physician. How did he know this? (story of BRR / deaf teenager)Information available to everyone else. Very likely no one took the time to tell him directly.Bartimeaus was just getting the headlines of the newsIt was enough for him to know this man they called Jesus was the Messiah!Commercials for medicine. I don’t think I need it so I don’t listen and wonder how others do as well. Bartimaeus’ request for the restoration of his sight also demonstrates his good understanding of what the Messiah is supposed to do. This beggar knew Jesus was more than powerful enough to give him sight. Even though others didn’t recognize it. He knew the coming Messiah would restore all things. For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. 19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.Cry for mercyJesus asks both the sons of Zebedee as well as Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?”, James and John request glory. v.37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.Bartimaeus requests mercy.Do not think he was just asking for a handout like any other beggar. Asking for mercy acknowledges something about the person you are asking mercy from.Mercy is God not punishing us as our sins deserve, and grace is God blessing us despite the fact that we do not deserve it. (traveling mercy)Bartimeus knew he needed to meet this man that everyone was talking about. You see Bartimeuas knew he was sick and he knew Jesus was the messiah. Bartimeuas responds to mercy as a disciple should. Bartimeus knew he needed more than just new eyes. He needed mercy.Thy way is now following Jesus! And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.Where else can we go? He has the words of life . Girl purchased and given freedom follows Abraham Lincoln.Following Jesus just seems reasonable to us old blind beggars who have been given sight!Lessons from a blind man. Jack Nicklaus bets blind golfer.

Mark 10:48–49 KJV 1900

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.Bartimaues was not going to lose his opportunity.

He was not going to let the crowd keep him from Jesus. v.48 but he cried the more a great deal,He was willing to leave all he ever knew to follow Jesus. 50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.We have seen this type of radical urgency out of others. The Syrophoenician woman will not give up hope that Jesus will heal her daughter even though she is not a Jew and Jesus initially rebuffs her. ch.7Jairus must ignore the mockery of the mourners that Jesus can do nothing for his dead child ch. 5Friends must force their way through a crowd and a roof to bring their paralyzed companion to Jesus ch.2The leper and the woman with the flow of blood must disregard laws that forbid them from having contact with Jesus to receive his help ch.1 A desperate father must overcome his doubt that Jesus can do anything to help his tormented son when the disciples have already failed ch.9All these people had something in common that was different than the crowd. They knew they their helpless state. They knew that Jesus could meet their every need!Son of David v.48 but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.Powerful 8 wordsNothing fancy. Just recognizing he was sick and Jesus is the Great Physician. How did he know this? (story of BRR / deaf teenager)Information available to everyone else. Very likely no one took the time to tell him directly.Bartimeaus was just getting the headlines of the newsIt was enough for him to know this man they called Jesus was the Messiah!Commercials for medicine. I don’t think I need it so I don’t listen and wonder how others do as well. Bartimaeus’ request for the restoration of his sight also demonstrates his good understanding of what the Messiah is supposed to do. This beggar knew Jesus was more than powerful enough to give him sight. Even though others didn’t recognize it. He knew the coming Messiah would restore all things. For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. 19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.Cry for mercyJesus asks both the sons of Zebedee as well as Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?”, James and John request glory. v.37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.Bartimaeus requests mercy.Do not think he was just asking for a handout like any other beggar. Asking for mercy acknowledges something about the person you are asking mercy from.Mercy is God not punishing us as our sins deserve, and grace is God blessing us despite the fact that we do not deserve it. (traveling mercy)Bartimeus knew he needed to meet this man that everyone was talking about. You see Bartimeuas knew he was sick and he knew Jesus was the messiah. Bartimeuas responds to mercy as a disciple should. Bartimeus knew he needed more than just new eyes. He needed mercy.Thy way is now following Jesus! And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.Where else can we go? He has the words of life . Girl purchased and given freedom follows Abraham Lincoln.Following Jesus just seems reasonable to us old blind beggars who have been given sight!Lessons from a blind man. Jack Nicklaus bets blind golfer.

As soon as Bartimaeus received his sight, he saw Jesus, and he wanted nothing more than to follow Him to Jerusalem. . . . That is the desire of all who are given eyes to see and ears to hear the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Compassionate Christ 51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.Command to call the blind man. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be calledAt the start of Jesus teaching ministry he walks into a temple and reads. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.Jesus has time for the outcasts because He came for us!Jesus came to serve. 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.He had time to stop and listen to the cry for mercy. Unlike the crowd Jesus did not find it as a distraction from life but His reason for being here. Willing to listen. Christ delights in knowing our hearts desires. He encourages us to speak though He knows, because it is pleasant to Him to hear, and good for us to tell.In this chapter he asked the Pharisees, the Sons of Zebedee, and know this beggar what they wanted. It reveals our hearts. All sufficient Savior. The people knew that Jesus would not harm this man. v.49 Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.Jesus says “thy faith hath made thee whole.”This is only true because Jesus will pay for his sins. What should be needed to make us whole? What should be needed to wash away our sins? All things we could never do. It is now faith in the Christ that makes us WHOLE!The beggar recognized Jesus as Lord. v. 51 The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.Bartimeaus was asking something massive but he was asking the LordHe knew if this Jesus he had been hearing about would just hear his cry all things would be changed!He began with need, went on to gratitude, and finished with loyalty--and that is a perfect summary of the stages of discipleship.

The Compassionate

Christ 51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.Command to call the blind man. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be calledAt the start of Jesus teaching ministry he walks into a temple and reads. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.Jesus has time for the outcasts because He came for us!Jesus came to serve. 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.He had time to stop and listen to the cry for mercy. Unlike the crowd Jesus did not find it as a distraction from life but His reason for being here. Willing to listen. Christ delights in knowing our hearts desires. He encourages us to speak though He knows, because it is pleasant to Him to hear, and good for us to tell.In this chapter he asked the Pharisees, the Sons of Zebedee, and know this beggar what they wanted. It reveals our hearts. All sufficient Savior. The people knew that Jesus would not harm this man. v.49 Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.Jesus says “thy faith hath made thee whole.”This is only true because Jesus will pay for his sins. What should be needed to make us whole? What should be needed to wash away our sins? All things we could never do. It is now faith in the Christ that makes us WHOLE!The beggar recognized Jesus as Lord. v. 51 The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.Bartimeaus was asking something massive but he was asking the LordHe knew if this Jesus he had been hearing about would just hear his cry all things would be changed!He began with need, went on to gratitude, and finished with loyalty--and that is a perfect summary of the stages of discipleship.

After a whole series of episodes in which the Twelve do not get it, here, just before Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, is someone who gets everything right.And who is this perfect disciple? A blind beggar, sitting by the roadside, yelling his head off for Jesus.

Conclusion

We should ask ourselves ‘What sort of man must I be, if that is the kind of Saviour that I need?’ - It will help us see life with the clear vision that Bartimeus had. A company of travelers fall into a pit: one of them gets a passenger to draw him out. Now he should not be angry with the rest for falling in; nor because they are not yet out, as he is. He did not pull himself out: instead, therefore, of reproaching them, he should show them pity. . . . A man, truly illuminated, will no more despise others, than Bartimaeus, after his own eyes were opened, would take a stick, and beat every blind man he met. (Works of John Newton)We come to Jesus today with a request? What is your heart crying out for?You desire the personal glory or do you see your need of mercy?

Unbeliever

An opportunity—a favorable time or occasion when we are in a position to make a decision that will impact our lives in a positive way—is a gift from the Lord.Jesus is passing by your way. Cry out for mercy. Without Jesus Christ you are all blind. Kind mothers, but blind. Brilliant businessmen, but blind. Wonderful musicians, but blind. Creative artists, but blind. Bank-managers, doctors, road sweepers, postmen, policemen, media people – every one of you is blind without Christ!In Matthew and John we learn there were two beggars that day. We don’t know the others name. How about it being your name this morning. This could become your story?

Blind Bartimaeus

I. The Crowds Confusion

They had convictions but no compassion

Theological debate of

Jesus saw “a man” 9:1

Disciples saw a theological debate.

The crowd always wants conformity

In a crowd but all alone.

The Compelling Cry