Identity Part 2

Identity Part 2....What do they call you?

Tonight is part 2 of our identity series. I want to talk about a guy in the bible called Bartimaeus and why he is an important figure and his story is an important lesson in identity. What a name though right? Bartimaeus. classic name. Or not. Lets check out his story Mark Chapter 10.

Mark 10:46-52

New Living Translation Chapter 10

46 Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. 47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

48 “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.

But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”

So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” 50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.

“My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”

52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.

Now to understand this story we have to understand who Bartimaeus is. All the way down to what his name actually means. So bar in hebrew refers to the son of. So his name given in the bible is Son of Timaeus. He is the blind son of Timaeus. How would like to be called out by your most troubling issue, your biggest secret, or your major flaw.

Outline:

Jesus approaches:

Bartimaeus shouts

People quiet him

He gets louder

Jesus calls him

He asks Jesus to give him sight

His faith has healed him

He was seeking. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer....

Jesus is looking for seekers...

New Living Translation Chapter 4

8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

Seek God first....No more divided loyalty…no more multiple identities.

New Living Translation Chapter 11

9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.