Lord, I Want to See!

Introduction:

Please open your Bibles to the Gospel of Mark. This morning we will be finishing up chapter 10 before Jesus makes his official entrance into Jersualem in .

Throughout Mark’s Gospel, we have seen time and time again how often the disciples of our Lord failed to grasp the true identity and teaching of our Lord. They were knuckleheads. Sincere, but often self-seeking , ambitious, and arrogant.

But what encourages me, is the patient and persevering love of our Lord. Because I see myself in the disciples. And as a pastor, I see how often members don’t get the plain teaching of Scripture because often people are also distracted and slow to learn just like the disciples here.

Whenever Jesus healed people, he always had a purpose. Not only to display his compassion to the person right in front of him, but also to teach his disciples important lessons about Himself and the values of the kingdom.

Revelation 3:15-

Revelation 3:15–18 ESV

“ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

And I have enjoyed my study in Mark because you see the narrative unfold and certain themes repeated. It is a joy to preach consecutively because you begin to see the literary structure of the book and each passage is informed by the previous. We also grow in understanding as we see the context, background, and history informing each passage.

And in this account, the healing of the blind man, teaches us as Christ followers that we too need spiritual insight and eyes to see.

Recap

As we return to our study in the Gospel of Mark, we come to the last healing recording in Mark’s Gospel.

As Jesus journeys to Jersualem, Jesus stops in the nearby city of Jericho and comes across a blind beggar.

Already, we saw Jesus healing a blind man in Mark’s Gospel in . But in this account, the difference is that Jesus simply speaks and the man is healed whereas in the first account Jesus touches the man’s eyes.

In the first account, we see the man is healed by a two stage touched. But this man is healed instantly.

The healing of the blind man is not just another record of healing, but it is another lesson for the disciples that even though they were with Christ, they were in danger of also being spiritually blind. The two touch healing was to show his disciples that they had a blurry vision of Christ. Because earlier, Jesus said,

Mark 8:17–18 ESV

And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?

Mark 8:17=

Mark 8:

Mark 8:21 ESV

And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

The disciples did not get it.

The irony of this story is that the blind man “sees” better than the disciples.

The disciples were fighting and bickering with one another in regards to position and vain glory.

While this blind man was desperate, helpless, and needy.

The disciples wanted to use Jesus to advance their own cause.

While this blind man wanted Jesus to make him simply be restored.

The disciples were blinded by their selfish ambition.

The blind man saw his need for the Savior.

The healing of the blind man because an important lesson for us that we too need Jesus to restore our spiritual sight.

Theology of glory vs. Theology of cross

We too need to come to Jesus needy and broken if we are going to see His power in our lives.

This is the last recorded healing miracle in Mark’s Gospel. Matthew records that there were two blind men, but Mark records with more specificity the more vocal of the two and even writes his name.

Main Proposition: As we look at this final healing miracle, it also shows us three ways to fight off spiritual blindness, so that we are able to see Christ clearly. We will look at

I. The Blind Man’s Cry (vv.46-48)…in order to fight off spiritual blindness, we need to cry out for mercy...

II. The Blind Man’s Calling ( vv. 49-50)…in order to fight off spiritual blindness, we need to be sovereignly called by Christ...

III. The Blind Man’s Conversion (vv. 51-52)…in order to fight off spiritual blindness, we need to be truly converted by Christ.

Scripture Reading:

Mark 10:46–52 ESV

And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

I. The Blind Man’s Cry (vv. 46-48)

Mark 10:46 ESV

And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside.

“Jericho is five miles west of the Jordan, six miles north of the Dead Sea, and fifteen air miles and twenty-one road miles northeast of Jersualem” Brooks.

“Jericho is five miles west of the Jordan, six miles north of the Dead Sea, and fifteen air miles and twenty-one road miles northeast of Jersualem” Brooks.

The Gospel of Mark 16. The Faith of Blind Bartimaeus. Ch. 10:46–52

Jericho was located about five miles west of the Jordan and eighteen miles northeast of Jerusalem. The old city had badly deteriorated by the first century, but extending southward the new city built by Herod as the site for his magnificent winter palace was renowned for its singular beauty and fertility.

The Gospel of Mark Notes

Located fifteen miles northeast of Jerusalem, five miles west of the Jordan River, and six miles north of the Dead Sea, Jericho is a kind of oasis in the midst of some rough terrain. The city had something of a revival under Herod the Great, who built a winter palace in the area.

This was not the OT Jericho where the Israelites conquered in the Promised Land, but the rebuilt Jericho. It was a pit stop for Pilgrims before traveling to Jersualem for the Passover festival.

We also read about the Parable of the Good Samaritan (), and the conversion of Zacchaeus () in this city. Notice who is in Jericho...

The Blind Man

And recognizing that this would be the common stop for pilgrims, Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus is sitting there. It is redundant to call him Bartimaeus, because Bar means son. But Mark is trying to communicate to the Gentile audience. His name may have been recorded because he may have become prominent in the early church.

His Blindness

“Blindness was tragically common, and blind men were proverbially beggars. This beggar had intentionally taken his station on the road leading to Jersualem in order to attract the attention of the Passover pilgrims.” Hiebert, 305

Easton’s Bible Dictionary Blind

BLIND—Blind beggars are frequently mentioned (Matt. 9:27; 12:22; 20:30; John 5:3). The blind are to be treated with compassion (Lev. 19:14; Deut. 27:18). Blindness was sometimes a punishment for disobedience (1 Sam. 11:2; Jer. 39:7), sometimes the effect of old age (Gen. 27:1; 1 Kings 14:4; 1 Sam. 4:15). Conquerors sometimes blinded their captives (2 Kings 25:7; 1 Sam. 11:2). Blindness denotes ignorance as to spiritual things (Isa. 6:10; 42:18, 19; Matt. 15:14; Eph. 4:18). The opening of the eyes of the blind is peculiar to the Messiah (Isa. 29:18). Elymas was smitten with blindness at Paul’s word (Acts 13:11).

The New Topical Text Book: A Scripture Text Book for the Use of Ministers, Teachers, and All Christian Workers Blindness, Spiritual

Explained. Jno. 1:5. 1 Cor. 2:14.

The effect of sin. Isa. 29:10. Mat. 6:23. Jno. 3:19, 20.

Unbelief the effect of. Rom. 11:8. 2 Cor. 4:3, 4.

Uncharitableness, a proof of. 1 Jno. 2:9, 11.

A work of the devil. 2 Cor. 4:4.

Leads to all evil. Eph. 4:17–19.

Is inconsistent with communion with God. 1 Jno. 1:6, 7.

Of ministers, fatal to themselves and to the people. Mat. 15:14.

The wicked are in. Psa. 82:5. Jer. 5:21.

The self-righteous are in. Mat. 23:19, 26. Rev. 3:17.

The wicked wilfully guilty of. Isa. 26:11. Rom. 1:19–21.

Judicially inflicted. Psa. 69:23. Isa. 29:10. Isa. 44:18. Mat. 13:13, 14. Jno. 12:40.

Pray for the removal of. Psa. 13:3. Psa. 119:18.

Christ appointed to remove. Isa. 42:7. Luke 4:18. Jno. 8:12. Jno. 9:39. 2 Cor. 4:6.

Christ’s ministers are lights to remove. Mat. 5:14. Acts 26:18.

Saints are delivered from. Jno. 8:12. Eph. 5:8. Col. 1:13. 1 The. 5:4, 5. 1 Pet. 2:9.

Removal of, illustrated. Jno. 9:7, 11, 25. Acts 9:18. Rev. 3:18.

Exemplified. Israel, Rom. 11:25. 2 Cor. 3:15. Scribes and Pharisees, Mat. 23:16, 24. Church of Laodicea, Rev. 3:17.

When a woman gives birth, do you know what are some of the first things the nurses do for the newborn baby?

They clean the baby, wrapped the baby, and then they put some eye drops on the baby.

It is an antibiotic ointment to protect the babies eyes against infection like pink eye, chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and other bacteria.

A baby can be born blind if this was not treated.

We don’t know if this man was born blind or became blind.

There was not modern medical technology we have to do. Some even thought of blindness as being cursed and punished by God. The disciples had this view.

John 9:1–2 ESV

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

He didn’t the sun. He didn’t see the beautiful colors of creation or the rainbow. His whole life was confined to physical darkness.

Not only was he blind, but he was poor.

His poverty

And he was a beggar. He had no resources. Just like you see people on the side of freeway asking for some money for food, you see this man begging because he is considered outcast and at the bottom of the social economic ladder.

His hopelessness

He is sitting there. Waiting. He can’t work. He can’t earn a living. So he is just waiting everyday to get by the next day. This was the only thing he could do. All he could do was beg and hope that some people would give him some spare change on the way to Jersualem.

His only Hope

Mark 10:47 ESV

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

And he heard that Jesus was coming. Jesus fame was already spread throughout Galilee, Judea, Jericho, and Jersualem. He may have heard of Jesus healing the people and the multitudes. Word got out that Jesus was coming to town.

Jesus of Nazareth identifies his place of origin. Even though he was born in Bethlehem, he was raised in Nazareth, an obscure hometown that no one knew about.

When he heard that Jesus was nearby by, he began to cry out. The word cry out, “shriek, scream, loud cry, shout” in other passages. The same word used when Jesus cast out a demon out of a man.

This past Sunday, there was a surprise performance from the rapper Eminem. He actually won on Oscar for the hit song “Lose Yourself” in 2003, but showed up 17 years later which took people by surprised. Let me quote Eminem.

Look If you had One shot Or one opportunity To seize everything you ever wanted In one moment Would you capture it Or just let it slip?

You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow This opportunity comes once in a lifetime

This blind man had only one shot, one opportunity, an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime and he was not going to let this opportunity or namely Jesus pass by.

The Son of David is Here!

This man was not ashamed to call out to Jesus. He cried out, Jesus, Son of David!

Jesus did not use that term for himself, he preferred Son of Man, because that title carried weight and significance. The word Son of David, communicated royalty and kingship.

He is confessing Jesus true identity. People addressed Jesus as Rabbi, but he called them Son of David.

He recognized Jesus true identity and authority!

Have mercy on me!

The only qualifications we bring to Jesus is our helplessness and our neediness. A prayer of a humbled sinner. A prayer of one who has no resources. A prayer of a person acknowledging their need.

We must show others their need of Christ, before we put forth the saving work of Christ.

Because if you put forth the saving work of Christ, without showing how sinful and miserable we are apart from Christ, sinners will reject Christ.

Hundreds of years earlier, God promised David a Son who would rule the nations and eternally.

2 Samuel 7:11–16 ESV

from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”

2 Samuel 7:11–13 ESV

from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

2 Samuel

The insensitive crowds:

Cry out

Mark 10:48 ESV

And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

And the crowds rebuked him, telling him to be silent. Translation, “shut up beggar, Jesus has more important things to do. You are embarassing yourself. You are annoying.”

But this may him cry out all the more, Son of David, have mercy on me!

Mark 10:

What a contrast with the Rich Young Man, and the Disciples. What can I do to inherit eternal life? What can you do for me Jesus.

This man was persistent in his faith.

This man simply cried out have mercy on me! 2x Son of David, 2x have mercy on me.

This man could have remained silent. He could have said, well, maybe Jesus will show up again next time. But know, this was his chance.

Eminem, at the Oscars, you only got one chance. One shot.

This man wasn’t going to miss it.

Preaching the Word: Mark—Jesus, Servant and Savior Jesus’ Call and Bartimaeus’ Response (vv. 49, 50)

The heart’s cry of one in need is far sweeter to Christ than the shallow hallelujahs of the crowd.

Christian—How badly do you want Jesus? What lengths are you willing to go to get Jesus? How persistent are you willing to be? He didn’t care what others thought. He didn’t care about social etiquette. All he knew was that he needed Jesus. Are we desperate for Jesus like this blind man? Or we arrogant and self-seeking like the disciples who were trying to turn Jesus into a magic genie?

I remember how it was for me when I first came to CFBC. It was intimidating because everyone was Filipino. We had some big intimidating guys at the time (Yek, Elie). Everyone knew each other. Every seemed to be related to one another. But I had to consciously tell myself, why am I at church? Do I want to get to know Jesus? So I went. I went to Sunday School when I was one of two or three students. I sat in the front listening to sermons. I asked, Lord, what do you want me to do?

I always tell others I never would see myself up here but I just wanted to serve Jesus because I was amazed by His gospel.

Do you have the same thirst for Jesus? Do you have the same need persistence for Jesus? What are you doing here? Is it because your parents are dragging you to church? Is it some tradition your family does? Is it because your spouse wants you here?

Or is because you want Jesus? You want to listen and follow Jesus?

Christian—Do we overlook the people the world overlooks? We must be on guard against how the world views people and how God views the poor, sick, and disabled through the lens of the kingdom. The crowds were insensitive.

Church—Prayer for illumination. Like the disciples, often don’t see clearly. Prayer for spiritual sight. Yet sin often blinds us. So we must confess our sins, so that we can see Christ more clearly. We must pray for God’s mercy.

Revelation 3:15–18 ESV

“ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

Psalm 119:18 ESV

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.

Evangelism—Is telling one beggar another beggar where to find bread. But in this case, it is one blind man who has been healed telling another blind man where we can be healed of our spiritual blindness.

Non-Christian—The bible states that we come into the world spiritually blind. We suppress the truth of God. We are dead in our sins. And unless God gives us the miracle of the second birth, we will remain blind in this world even though we have perfect 2020 vision.

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Romans 1:20–21 ESV

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Transition: This blind man was calling for mercy, but notice the blind man’s calling...

II. The Blind Man’s Calling (vv. 49-50)

God has always called a people to himself.

He called Adam in the Garden.

He called Abraham to the Promised Land.

He called Israel to be His Priests.

He called the Apostles to be his followers.

He calls Sinners to be Saints.

In theology, we distinguish between the general call of God and the effectual call of God. The general call is the preaching of the gospel to all people, yet some don’t respond and even mock.

The effectual call is when God calls, those who are effectually called, will respond to the gospel message. When God sovereignly calls people to himself, they will respond.

God has always called a people to himself.

He called Adam in the Garden.

He called Abraham to the Promised Land.

He called Israel to be His Priests.

He called the Apostles to be his followers.

He calls Sinners to be Saints.

Jesus stops. In compassion, he stops to spend time with this blind beggar. So he says, “Call Him.” This is a divine summons. This is a divine call from the Lord.

Mark 10:49 ESV

And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.”

Be of good cheer, Jesus is calling you.

I find that encouraging that the God of the universe is willing to stop and hear needy and insignificant people. Our Savior is willing to stop and be interrupted to help the needy right in front of him.

Christian—Do we see people in need as interruptions, or opportunities for service?

My wife reminded me the other day with a quote from C.S. Lewis in regard to my children, “Children are not obstacles to important work, they are the most important work.”

People are not obstacles to ministry, they are the ministry.

People who need help shouldn’t be obstacles, but opportunities for ministry.

I need to remind myself that regularly as a pastor.

Pastor—A pastor or leader who is unwilling to serve people, should not be in ministry because the ministry is all about people!

Why?

God loves to magnify himself through weakness. He magnifies himself through needy people.

1 Corinthians 1:26–31 ESV

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

God gets the glory when he heals and saves the weak. The proud and self-sufficient don’t need God. That is why the Rich Young Ruler left Jesus. That is why the disciples were often slow of heart to learn from Jesus.

The Blind Man’s Response

Mark 10:50 ESV

And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.

The cloak was probably worldly possession he had. It was his outer garment to keep him warm. Yet he left that and sprang up and came to Jesus. Notice how enthusiastic he was that Jesus was calling him!

Christian—What are you willing to cast aside and get to Jesus? Do you run to Jesus whenever you get the opportunity? Or do you run from him?

Do you love to be in His Word, or his Word is the last thing on your mind?

Do you love to be with His people, or only when it is convenient for you?

Do you run at every opportunity to be with Jesus whether that be in His Word, with His People, or to the Ministry God calls you to?

The NIV and NASB says he “jumped up” to his feet and probably ran to Jesus.

That is precisely what everyone should do when Jesus approaches. They should throw aside whatever is hindering them, stand up, and run to Jesus.

Sproul. Mark (Saint Andrew's Expositional Commentary) (p. 274). Reformation Trust Publishing. Kindle Edition.

Christian-When Jesus calls, we respond. If Jesus calls you, a true believer will respond to his voice. The elect will respond to Jesus.

John 10:27–30 ESV

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Like Jesus, we must also learn to stop and listen and show compassion to the needy around us.

Church—We don’t have to manipulate people into the kingdom. We don’t have to devise some fancy strategy to reach people for Christ. We have his gospel. And we are called to proclaim his gospel. And we simply tell others the good news and trust God for the results.

Those who God calls to himself will come to him. Our job is to be faithful witnesses.

Evangelism—Is telling one beggar another beggar where to find bread. But in this case, it is one blind man who has been healed telling another blind man where we can be healed of our spiritual blindness.

Non-Christian—The Gospel call is for all people. You don’t need to worry about who or whose elect. The question is will you respond to Jesus when He calls you? Whether he calls you through salvation? Or whether he calls you to service? How will you respond to Jesus. If you do respond to Jesus, then it shows you are one of his. If you don’t, it may show you are not one of his. True believers respond to the call of Jesus on their life.

The call to salvation. The call to sanctification. The call to God’s people. The call to service for the King. Trust God’s sovereignty.

Transition: We see the blind man’s cry for mercy, we see the Savior’s sovereign effectual call as the blind man leaps and runs to Jesus, but finally, we see the blind man’s conversion as Jesus heals the man...

III. The Blind Man’s Conversion (vv. 51-52)

Have Mercy on Me—A prayer of a humbled sinner. A prayer of one who has no resources. A prayer of a person acknowledging their need.

The man’s cries were annoying. So they were basically saying to the man, shut up. Shut up, Jesus has more important things to do.

Mark 10:51 ESV

And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.”

“What do you want me to do for you?”

The disciples asked for glory, this man asked for mercy.

This is the same question Jesus asked the disciples earlier in .

Need—>Jesus

Need—>Jesus—>Request—>Answered—>Follow Jesus.

Mark 10:36 ESV

And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Theology of Glory and Theology of the Cross

Let us have a faith like this blind man. Let us follow Christ whole-heartidly.

Luther made that distinction in the time of the Reformation. A theology of glory is one that seeks position, power, and glory.

A theology of glory expects success and prosperity as a result of following God. There will also be victory in this life. There is also glory without a cross, and a crown of gold before a crown of thorns.

A theology of the cross, is that the way of the kingdom is through suffering because we follow a crucified Messiah. The theology of the cross is that suffering comes before glory, and there is a cross before a crown.

A theology of glory is one of weakness, pain, failures, and even suffering for Christ.

I think Luther would even say prayer, study/word, and suffering is what makes a pastor.

But notice the different responses. The disciples were asking for position, power, and glory.

This blind man was asking for sight. He just wanted to see again. He just wanted to be restored.

Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament Chapter Ten

The word “Lord” is Rabbounei (Ραββουνει) in the Greek text, “my Master,” a term of reverent respect.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark A Model Disciple (10:46–52)

The story of this blind beggar who ironically sees Jesus more clearly than those with two good eyes climaxes Mark’s teaching on faith and discipleship.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark A Model Disciple (10:46–52)

The kingdom of heaven, it has been said, is not for the well-meaning but for the desperate. Bartimaeus is desperate, and his desperation is a doorway to faith.

The Master Responds:

Mark 10:52 ESV

And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

In this account. Jesus doesn’t spit on the ground. He doesn’t touch the man’s eyes. He simply speaks. He sovereignly speaks.

And the minute he speaks, the man in instantly healed. Like God, when Jesus speaks, because He is God in the flesh, things immediately happen.

2 Corinthians 4:4–6 ESV

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

A. Saving Faith Receives Christ

Your faith has made you well. Literally, the word is your faith has “saved you.” The word speaks of physical, but also spiritual deliverance.

Faith was the instrument that received the healing of Christ.

Does this mean that if we just have enough faith, we can be healed of anything as some preachers teach?

Some preachers teach that if we only have enough faith, we can be healed of any physical illness and suffering. If we are not, then we lack faith.

I think this is a distorted teaching. Again, this is the last recorded healing in Mark’s gospel. And it was to be a lesson for the disciples. Jesus often did miracles to confirm his authority and true identity. He also healed to show he was the fulfillment OT prophecy.

Do I believe God heals today? Absolutely. But let’s remember the point of the healings of Christ were to display his divine authority and also confirm that He was the Messiah.

Sometimes, God doesn’t heal us, as we see in the like of even the apostles and his servants. Apostle Paul may have some sort of eye infection in and Timothy had some stomach ailment in . God does promise complete and restored healing in the next life, but not necessarily in this life (Romans 8).

And the man’s eyes were instantly opened. Jesus was truly the promised Messiah and Servant

2 Samuel 7:11–12 ESV

from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.

2 Samuel 7:11–13 ESV

from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

Isaiah 29:18 ESV

In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.

Isaiah 29:13 ESV

And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,

Sproul. Mark (Saint Andrew's Expositional Commentary) (p. 274). Reformation Trust Publishing. Kindle Edition.

Sproul. Mark (Saint Andrew's Expositional Commentary) (p. 274). Reformation Trust Publishing. Kindle Edition.

Isaiah 35:5–6 ESV

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;

Luke 4:18 ESV

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

B. Faith follows Christ

A huge failure we have done today is separate a wedge between evangelism and discipleship. We just need to get people saved. But after they get saved, they are left as orphans and without churches for them to grow in the faith.

People need evangelism, but also discipleship. What God has joined together, let no man separate.

The man had his sight restored, but he didn’t just stay in Jericho sitting on the way. No, now he begins to follow Jesus on the way.

Mark 10:52 ESV

And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

But not only were the man’s eyes opened, he followed Jesus on the way.

In other words, not only was he healed, he became a disciple. He became a follower of the Way. He followed Jesu and his disciples on the way to Jerusalem where his Master would die and where his life could be potentially threatened.

True discipleship means seeing the world God’s way and submitting our life to his purpose and will.

Strauss, Mark L.. Mark (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Strauss, Mark L.. Mark (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Jesus still responds to those who cry out to God for mercy.

Strauss, Mark L.. Mark (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Strauss, Mark L.. Mark (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Strauss, Mark L.. Mark (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

The Gospel of Mark 16. The Faith of Blind Bartimaeus. Ch. 10:46–52

Jericho was located about five miles west of the Jordan and eighteen miles northeast of Jerusalem. The old city had badly deteriorated by the first century, but extending southward the new city built by Herod as the site for his magnificent winter palace was renowned for its singular beauty and fertility.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark A Model Disciple (10:46–52)

The story of this blind beggar who ironically sees Jesus more clearly than those with two good eyes climaxes Mark’s teaching on faith and discipleship.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark A Model Disciple (10:46–52)

The kingdom of heaven, it has been said, is not for the well-meaning but for the desperate. Bartimaeus is desperate, and his desperation is a doorway to faith.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark A Model Disciple (10:46–52)

Faith that does not lead to discipleship is not saving faith. Whoever asks of Jesus must be willing to follow Jesus … even on the uphill road to the cross.

Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament Chapter Ten

The word “Lord” is Rabbounei (Ραββουνει) in the Greek text, “my Master,” a term of reverent respect.

Daily Study Bible Series: The Gospel of Mark (Revised Edition) A Miracle by the Wayside

He began with need, went on to gratitude, and finished with loyalty—and that is a perfect summary of the stages of discipleship.

That is the story of conversion:

Neediness and Helplessness—>deliverance—>gratefulness—>commitment and discipleship.

But the healing of the blind man shows how one becomes a Christian doesn’t it?

Preaching the Word: Mark—Jesus, Servant and Savior Jesus’ Call and Bartimaeus’ Response (vv. 49, 50)

The heart’s cry of one in need is far sweeter to Christ than the shallow hallelujahs of the crowd.

Jesus effectually calls a blind sinner to himself.

The Gospel of Mark Notes

Located fifteen miles northeast of Jerusalem, five miles west of the Jordan River, and six miles north of the Dead Sea, Jericho is a kind of oasis in the midst of some rough terrain. The city had something of a revival under Herod the Great, who built a winter palace in the area.

The sinner begins to acknowledge his blindness and cries for mercy.

What are the characteristics of true saving faith?

And Jesus, being a powerful and gracious healer, takes away our blindness and gives us spiritual sight. He restores the image of God in us as we see and behold His glory.

God is able to make you a new creation and shine the light of the gospel of your heart where you begin to see again!

Jesus doesn’t want nice people, but new people. He doesn’t want blind people, but seeing people.

Creation

We lost our spiritual sight because of our disobedience and sin. In fact, we suppress the truth of God and don’t want to see because when our sins come to the light, we see that we deserve judgment.

Fall

We deserve God’s judgment and wrath because our sin and our spiritual blindness where the whole creation and our conscience scream the glory of God. Yet we are so blind to our sin and even by Satan through the demonic values that oppose God that we can’t see God’s glory.

Redemption

Yet God is able to take our spiritual blindness and turn it into sight with the miracle of the new birth. He is able to recreate us and give us eyes to see.

2 Corinthians 4:4–6 ESV

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

God sent Christ to be a punishment for our sin. He rose again from the dead. If Jesus calls you, the Holy Spirit will open your eyes and cause you to cry out for mercy and repent and trust in Christ.

Restoration

And one day, we will see God face to face.

Revelation 22:3–4 ESV

No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

Revelation 22:1–4 ESV

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

Revelation 22:4 ESV

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

If Jesus is calling you, will you respond? Will you like the blind man cry out for mercy? And if he does give you eyes to see, will you follow Him in grateful obedience no matter what the cost.

Summary:

I. A blind man’s cry for mercy.

II. A blind man’s calling from Jesus.

III. A blind’s man’s conversion through the healing word of Christ.

Conclusion:

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 1976 No Eyes to See Him

Augustine was once accosted by a heathen who showed him his idol and said, “Here is my god; where is thine?” Augustine replied, “I cannot show you my God; not because there is no God to show but because you have no eyes to see Him.”

If you acknowledge your need, God is able to make you see again. We need to fight off spiritual blindness and only Jesus can help us do that.

Do you see Jesus with the eyes of faith?

Theology of glory vs. Theology of cross

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Blindness

Blindness. Condition of lacking the ability to see. Physical blindness was common in the ancient Near East and is still prevalent among the poor and tribal peoples lacking the benefits of modern medicine.

Medical causes of blindness are not specified in the Bible, but poor personal hygiene and unsanitary living conditions were undoubtedly contributing factors. Newborn babies were especially susceptible. Much blindness from birth (Jn 9:1–3) was probably gonorrhea of the eyes. In the birth process germs from the mother passed to the eyes of the infant, where they found an ideal medium for growth. Within three days inflammation, pus, and swelling would be evident. In such cases, primitive treatment could not prevent some permanent or even total damage to the eye. Modern medical practice is to treat all newborn babies with antiseptic eye drops; but such treatment is not yet available to the poor, or is rejected by them in parts of the Near East today. Babies and young children also were threatened by infectious ophthalmia. Carried by flies, that disease caused heavy crusting, droopy eyelids, loss of eyelashes, and eventually clouding of the cornea, often leading to total blindness. In parts of the world one may still see a mother (because of folk superstition) permitting flies to swarm continuously on her baby’s face even as she holds the infant in her lap. Blindness among adults might be due to side effects from illnesses such as malaria, long exposure to sandstorms and sun glare in the desert, accidents, punishment (as with Samson, Jgs 16:21), or old age (Gn 27:1; 1 Sm 4:15; 1 Kgs 14:4).

The OT demanded special consideration for the blind (Lv 19:14) and imposed punishment for misleading a blind person (Dt 27:18). A blind man, considered defective, was not permitted to serve as a priest (Lv 21:18).

Jesus’ healing ministry brought sight to the blind in fulfillment of prophecy (Lk 4:18). His ability to restore vision was one of the proofs given to John the Baptist that Jesus was the Messiah (Mt 11:5). Jesus healed two blind men in Galilee (9:27–30), one blind man in Bethsaida (Mk 8:22–26), a man blind from birth in Jerusalem (Jn 9), and a blind beggar named Bartimaeus and his friend at Jericho (Mk 10:46–52; cf. Mt 20:30–34; Lk 18:35–43). At times Jesus commanded immediate restoration (Mk 10:52). On other occasions he used “means” such as clay and water (Jn 9:6–11) or his own saliva (Mk 8:23). The apostle Paul was blinded at his conversion and received a miraculous cure in the presence of Ananias (Acts 9:1–9, 18). Paul later afflicted a sorcerer, Elymas, with temporary blindness for opposing his ministry on the island of Cyprus (13:11).

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Blindness

The term “spiritual blindness” is a figurative way of defining the lost and hopeless condition of sinful mankind. Such blindness includes willful rejection of God’s revelation in his creation and in Scripture, and an inability to see the truth of the gospel. Moses spoke of Israel’s apostasy as “blindness” (Dt 29:4); Isaiah called it “dim eyes” (Is 6:10 NASB). Jesus charged the Pharisees with unbelief that made them “blind guides of the blind” (Mt 15:14; 23:16). Spiritual blindness is related to “hardness of heart” (Mk 8:17, 18; Eph 4:17, 18) and is understood as the judgment of God both upon unbelievers (Rom 1:20, 21) and upon Israel (Is 29:10; Rom 11:7, 8). According to Paul it is also the work of Satan, who “has blinded the minds of the unbelievers” (2 Cor 4:4). Healing from spiritual blindness is a special gift of God’s grace through the “new birth” (Jn 3:3) and by seeing “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Cor 4:4).

Easton’s Bible Dictionary Blind

BLIND—Blind beggars are frequently mentioned (Matt. 9:27; 12:22; 20:30; John 5:3). The blind are to be treated with compassion (Lev. 19:14; Deut. 27:18). Blindness was sometimes a punishment for disobedience (1 Sam. 11:2; Jer. 39:7), sometimes the effect of old age (Gen. 27:1; 1 Kings 14:4; 1 Sam. 4:15). Conquerors sometimes blinded their captives (2 Kings 25:7; 1 Sam. 11:2). Blindness denotes ignorance as to spiritual things (Isa. 6:10; 42:18, 19; Matt. 15:14; Eph. 4:18). The opening of the eyes of the blind is peculiar to the Messiah (Isa. 29:18). Elymas was smitten with blindness at Paul’s word (Acts 13:11).

The New Topical Text Book: A Scripture Text Book for the Use of Ministers, Teachers, and All Christian Workers Blindness, Spiritual

Explained. Jno. 1:5. 1 Cor. 2:14.

The effect of sin. Isa. 29:10. Mat. 6:23. Jno. 3:19, 20.

Unbelief the effect of. Rom. 11:8. 2 Cor. 4:3, 4.

Uncharitableness, a proof of. 1 Jno. 2:9, 11.

A work of the devil. 2 Cor. 4:4.

Leads to all evil. Eph. 4:17–19.

Is inconsistent with communion with God. 1 Jno. 1:6, 7.

Of ministers, fatal to themselves and to the people. Mat. 15:14.

The wicked are in. Psa. 82:5. Jer. 5:21.

The self-righteous are in. Mat. 23:19, 26. Rev. 3:17.

The wicked wilfully guilty of. Isa. 26:11. Rom. 1:19–21.

Judicially inflicted. Psa. 69:23. Isa. 29:10. Isa. 44:18. Mat. 13:13, 14. Jno. 12:40.

Pray for the removal of. Psa. 13:3. Psa. 119:18.

Christ appointed to remove. Isa. 42:7. Luke 4:18. Jno. 8:12. Jno. 9:39. 2 Cor. 4:6.

Christ’s ministers are lights to remove. Mat. 5:14. Acts 26:18.

Saints are delivered from. Jno. 8:12. Eph. 5:8. Col. 1:13. 1 The. 5:4, 5. 1 Pet. 2:9.

Removal of, illustrated. Jno. 9:7, 11, 25. Acts 9:18. Rev. 3:18.

Exemplified. Israel, Rom. 11:25. 2 Cor. 3:15. Scribes and Pharisees, Mat. 23:16, 24. Church of Laodicea, Rev. 3:17.

Luke 4:18 ESV

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

Ephesians 4:17–18 ESV

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.

Isaiah 29:18 ESV

In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.

Isaiah 29:13 ESV

And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,

You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow This opportunity comes once in a lifetime

Surprise performance. He won the Oscar for the song in 2003. He performed it 17 years after he won it.