Give Me Jesus: Jesus As the Sight Giver: Mark 10:46-52

I. Bartimaeus’ Cry vs. 46-48

A. Matthew’s account says there were two blind men, Luke’s account says there was one. Mark is the only one to give the blind man’s name, and lineage. Some say Bartimaeus was the loudest of the two and others have speculated that he was an elder in the church at Jerusalem.

B. When Bartimaeus heard Jesus was coming, he knew this was his only chance to be healed. As we later learn, he had had sight at one time, but lost it long ago.

C. Not matter what some said, he would not be silent. Why? He knew of his condition, and knew his only hope was Jesus. Most people are too blind to see their own condition and that Jesus is our only hope. Yehiel Dinur was the principle witness agianst Adolf Eichmann, the head of Auschwitz’s Nuremburg trial. Dinur saw Eichmann for the first time in 20 years, stopped cold, started weeping and fainted. Later he would tell Mike Wallace on 60 mins, that Eichmann was not a godlike army officer, but a mere man. “I was afraid about myself, I saw that I am capable to do this. I am … exactly like he”- Yehiel Dinur.

D. Even blind Bartimaeus could see that Jesus is the Messiah. Son of David is a Messianic title.

II. Jesus’ Reply and Question vs. 49-51a

A. Jesus calls him, just like Jesus calls us.

B. The same people that were mere seconds before telling him to shut up, were now saying stand up. All too often we let the hypocrites who talk about us behind our back to be a stumbling block on our way to Jesus. Never, ever let somebody get in the way of your coming to Jesus!

C. His cloak was a license to beg. He was throwing away his livelihood for a new life. Throwing off the old for the new.

D. Jesus knew what he wanted, but wanted Bartimaeus to say it himself, so that he would have to exercise faith.

III. Bartimaeus’ Faith in Jesus vs. 51b-52

A. Bartimaeus demonstrated faith already, but now he puts in into words! We do this by asking Jesus to save us.

B. His faith makes him well, and saved. Faith is the means by which Jesus saves us.

C. Then he followed Jesus. That’s what we are suppose to do when Jesus gives us sight.