Sermon Tone Analysis

It has been said that when a person loses one of their senses, the other senses adapt to that loss and are strengthened.

The brain actually adapts to the loss by giving itself a makeover.

If one sense is lost, the areas of the brain normally devoted to handling that sensory information do not go unused — they get rewired and put to work processing other senses.

Blind people may hear better; the deaf can have a type of enhanced vision.

Today I want us to look at a man who was physically blind but had 20/20 vision in faith.

Let’s look at “The Eyes Of Faith” through Blind Bartimaeus.

Text; Mark 10:46-52

Jesus is 15 miles from Jerusalem, and a large crowd has gathered with Him as they head to the Passover Feast.

This road through Jericho is a main road traveled by thousands, so those who were in need [lame, blind, begging alms] knew this road would give them a better chance to receive alms to make a living, especially from religious people who were more sensitive to the needs of the helpless.

Bartimaeus was one of them.

1. Bartimaeus the Beggar; 46

Because of his physical condition Bartimaeus didn’t have a job in order to earn a living.

In that day, there were no welfare programs or charitable institutions who would help him.

There was no social security or other government programs to which he could turn.

Bartimaeus was totally dependent upon the generosity of others in order to survive.

His was in a pitiful and wretched condition!

Blindness was a common condition in Bible times, because of various diseases with little or no medical help and poor sanitary conditions.

Spiritual Blindness is a common condition among men today.

Men are blind to their lost condition, their sin and their impending doom in a devil’s hell!

Physical blindness of Bartimaeus is something that they often didn’t have any recourse against.

But the spiritual blindness of man has no excuse!

2. Bartimaeus the Blind Man; 47-48

Though Bartimaeus couldn’t see, his hearing was impeccable.

He heard that Jesus of Nazareth was on his way going to Jerusalem.

His hearing was more than just listening to the crowd that was talking as they passed by him, his hearing was from the stories he had heard about Jesus.

He must have heard about the lepers, the lame, the demon possessed, even the dead that Jesus had touched and made whole again.

He cried out believing that Jesus could make a change in his life and circumstances.

Jesus, Son of David- this term confirmed that the Messiah is David’s descendant as told in [2 Sam.

7:8-16].

Bartimaeus’ using that title indicated that despite his physical blindness he believed Jesus of Nazareth was Israel’s Messiah, whereas most Jews were blind to this.

Mercy- extend grace, favor, compassion for my needs.

Here’s an interesting fact.

There are no blind people who are healed in the OT that we see in scripture.

According to Jewish theology, blindness was God’s curse due to a persons sin.

Bartimaeus’ cry was the cry of his heart.

He knew he did not deserve anything.

In asking for mercy, he acknowledged that he was a sinner that needed God’s grace.

His mind saw the light before his eyes ever did.

A man must see his need for salvation before he can receive it.

A man must come to the realization he is lost before he can ever be saved!

If one never believes he’s spiritually blind, he has no reason to be saved!

Bartimaeus, though blind, was not ashamed to cry out to Jesus, even when those who heard him holler tried to quiet him, he got louder!

Bartimaeus knew his need and the only One who could meet that need.

He was not going to let his opportunity pass him by regardless of what people thought of him or how they treated him.

​There is no such thing as a secret service christian!

When your spiritual eyes are opened, you won’t be ashamed of the One who opened them!

3. Bartimaeus the Believer; 49-51

Jesus is never too busy not to stop and meet the needs of the helpless, especially those who are willing to believe.

Jesus here shows the disciples what it means to be a servant to all.

“What do you want Me to do for you?”.

This is the same question Jesus has just asked James and John.

They asked for the best seats in the kingdom.

Bartimaeus, has a much more humble request: “I want to see!”

James Edwards says it well: “The Sons of Thunder asked for extraordinary glory, Bartimaeus asked only for ordinary health”.

Jesus reached out to the blind beggar, the outcast of society and heard his cry, because he believed.

Jesus hears our cry as well as long as we believe!

Rabboni- My Master and Lord.

Bartimaeus surrendered himself into the hands of Jesus.

That’s what faith is.

Faith is surrendering yourself to the hands of Jesus knowing that He wants to meet our needs.

4. Eyes of Faith; 52

Jesus said that, “your faith has made you well.”

Grace is the divine hand that extends healing.

Faith is the human hand that reaches out and receives it.

Faith is not a leap in the dark but a focus on the Light.

Bartimaeus did not have empty faith.

Bartimaeus directed his faith to the only One who could heal, the only One who could save, Jesus.

Well- Greek word sozo [make well] is used instead of iaomai [to heal].

Sozo is often in the NT referring to salvation.

So Jesus was saying, “Go your way, your faith has saved you.”

Immediately he received sight.

Bartimaeus recieved physical as well as spiritual sight immediately.

The moment one believes by faith he receives spiritual sight, salvation in the LORD.

Jesus told him to “go your way”, his way became the way of the Lord.

The restoring of sight led to discipleship.

And just like Bartimaeus, we should become disciples and follow HIm.

Close;

Bartimaeus was a poor blind beggar when on that one day in his life Jesus stopped to meet his need.

Nothing has changed in the past two thousand years.

Jesus still stops for anyone who calls on His name.

And like poor, blind Bartimaeus, no one is ever disappointed in what Jesus does.

Do you have Eyes of Faith this morning?

Do you have 20/20 Spiritual Vision?

I once was blind but now I see!