Blind Bartimaeus

TEXT: Mark 10:46-52

TOPIC: Blind Bartimaeus

Bobby Earls, Eastside Baptist Church, Blacksburg, SC

November 12, 1978

April 25, 1982 at Hibbit Baptist Church, Whitesboro, Texas

May 15, 1983 at Little Memorial Baptist Church, Gaffney, SC

(Hibbit Baptist Church was my very first church. Penny and I were married July 25, 1981, quickly moved to Texas a couple of weeks later for me to return to Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth. On our drive to Texas, I shared with Penny that I believed the Lord wanted me to begin my pastorate ministry now that we were married. We were invited to Hibbit within two weeks to preach in view of a call on August 25, 1981. They already had another young man coming to preach the following week but called us to be their pastor on October 25, 1981. I have always said it was because Penny could play their piano and sing that they called me as pastor!)

(Just a couple of additional thoughts about this very old sermon. First, I am surprised at how long it was. And second, I recall receiving these points from a wonderful mentor, The Reverend C.W. Farrar from the First Baptist Church of Landrum, S.C. Dr. Farrar was instrumental in directing me while at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. to go to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. Farrar who was a Trustee at Southwestern shared the five points that make up this sermon about Blind Bartimaeus following a chapel service at Southwestern.)

I. Introduction – We always hear about what is wrong.

A. Politically, in Washington, D.C. or in Texas

B. Economically, Value of the dollar, inflation

C. Educational System, America graduated more illiterates than ever before. SC ranked 48 or 49thin graduates.

D. Churches, 37% of Americans claim to be born-again. Then why can’t we get more church workers?

E. Dallas Cowboys, we won’t even talk about the Cowboys!

Why do we always talk about what’s wrong? We are a pessimistic society.

I remember a chemistry rule I learned in college. It says, “If anything possibly can go wrong in the laboratory, it will.”

Well, this morning, I want to talk about what’s right! In order to do that, let us look at another one of Christ’s miracles found in Mark 10.

This is the second miracle that I have preached on. Some have problems understanding a miracle. Several Greek words for miracle: One is dynamis which means mighty power.

Also, to understand a miracle we must see it through the eyes of faith. The interpretation of a miracle does not lie in the question, “how do you explain it?” If we ask the wrong questions, we will get the wrong answers.

The better question is “what does it mean?” Even better, we should ask, “what does it mean for me?”

Miracles were performed for a reason. They were done so we might believe. And, to fulfill prophecy.

If we look at miracles from this perspective, then they have more meaning to us.

II. Read the Scriptures

Mark 10:46–52 (AV) 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. 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. 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.

III. The story of Blind Bartimaeus tells us some things that are right. It shows FIVE things that are still right to do.

IV. Characteristics of Bartimaeus

A. He was Blind

B. He was a Beggar

C. He was Born-again

First, Bartimaeus was a blind man. His name in Greek literally meant, “son of Timaeus.

Bartimaeus didn’t even have his own name. And “Timaeus” resembles the Greek word “tuphlos” which is translated as “a blind man.”

So it is possible that Bartimaeus was the son of a blind man which would make his blindness hereditary. He was born blind with no hope of ever seeing.

Because he was blind, Bartimaeus was also a Beggar. Begging was his only means of support. He was a man with a physical handicap, without a name. He was a man without riches, neglected and rejected.

But through this man we can learn a great deal. Some of God’s dearest children suffer with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities!

But thirdly, notice he was also born-again, or at least he would be when he met Jesus!

Born blind, but when he met Jesus, he was born-again, but this time with perfect sight! NO GLASSES!!

V. The Symbolism of Blind Bartimaeus

A. He was blind spiritually as well as physically.

God often uses the word “blind” to symbolize those who are spiritually lost.

In Matthew 15:14 (AV) Jesus said, “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”

If you are lost then you are spiritually blind. You cannot understand God’s word, God’s ways or God’s children.

You are also a Beggar. You live off the world. I want to tell you how you can receive your eyesight. Follow the example of Blind Bartimaeus. Do what is right by crying out to Jesus today.

VI. Things Blind Bartimaeus did that are also right for us to do:

A. He Listened.

Mark 10:47 (AV) 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.

Notice his perception. He listened. Perhaps as a blind man his other senses such as his hearing might have been enhanced?

People rarely listen as they should if they are too busy talking. And often they are talking about the what’s wrong or the wrong things!

Some people are willing to confess other people’s sins, just not their own!!

We need to listen. Virgil would like to preach this point to the choir. Right, Virgil?

GOD SAID, “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD!” The quietness of nature proclaims God’s sovereignty.

(Share the illustration of the quietness of the snow in the air and the stillness of a snowy day.)

He listened. And what did he hear? Jesus is near.

B. He Prayed.

Mark 10:47 (AV) 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.

Bartimaeus cried out for the Lord to have mercy on him. Someone has said, “Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire.” We need to learn to pray especially in times of great need.

But if you’re lost, you cannot pray. But you can pray the sinner’s prayer.

This is what Bartimaeus did. Let’s look at his prayer in verse 47 which also brings us to the third point.

C. He Prayed to the Right Person.

Mark 10:47 (AV) 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.

Notice the essence of his prayer:

1) He prayed to or through the Name of Jesus.

2) He addressed Jesus properly as the Christ, the Son of David.

a. Son of David was a Messianic title for the Jewish Messiah

Isaiah 35:4–5 (AV) 4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Mark 10:51 (AV) 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.

b. “Lord” is Rabboni which means “Beloved Master.”

c. Notice the urgency of Mark 10:48, “He cried the more….”

This reminds me of the story that Dr. James H. Smith told of his attempt at salvation.

As a young man, James grew up in the dry and flat plains of West Texas. As a young boy he grew up during the Depression years. James also belonged to his church’s boy’s bible class or Sunday School.

The annual Unified Church Revival meeting had been scheduled so his Sunday School teacher told all the boys in the class, including James that he expected 100% of the class to attend the revival.

After the first revival service the invitation was given and the teacher encouraged each boy to make a decision for Christ down at the altar. He said, “Remember, we want 100%!”

One of his fellow classmates looked at James and said, “I’ll go if you go.” And James said, “Well, I’ll go if you go.” So the two of them went down to the altar.

When he got there the Pastor came to him and asked him a few questions. James must have got the answers right because following the revival service he was baptize along with 100% of his Sunday School class. James said of his baptism, “I went in as a dry sinner and came out as a wet sinner.”

When he was 15 years old his family moved to Alabama. (Can I get a “Roll Tide?”)

While he was there his sister got saved at age 15. So James, not to be outdone by his sister was baptized again, this time in a creek. James said, “I went in as a dry sinner and sloshed all the way home as a wet sinner.”

By the time he graduated from high school, James began to be really burdened about his salvation. He began to pray everyday that he wouldn’t go to Hell.

Then he says he remembers very clearly one Sunday, it was August 31st that he felt compelled to go down to the altar again. The church had at that time what they called an old mourner’s bench.

Well, James went down to that old mourner’s bench and began to call out in prayer, “Oh God, save me!”

Then a church deacon slipped in beside him on the mourner’s bench and said to James, “Just hold on.” “Just hold on if you want God to save you!”

When the deacon got up the Sunday School Director came to him and said to him, “Just let go, James. Let go and God will save you!”

After the Sunday School Director left, the pastor knelt beside him and asked, “Have you seen the light young man?” “Have you seen the light?”

James said, “So there I was. A young 18-year-old teenager, trying to hold on while letting go and hoping to see the light!” He said, “I was so confused.”

But then he said he remembers a redheaded woman who came to him there at the altar and told him, “The Bible says, ‘Whosoever will call upon the Name of the Lord will be saved.’ James just ask the Lord to save you and take Him at His word that He will do what He said He would do.”

So, James said that was exactly what he did. He simply asked the Lord Jesus to save his soul. He went on to say that it must have done a good job because from that day on, he has never again doubted his salvation.

And just as James finally figured out, all he needed to do was to call out to Jesus, just like Bartimaeus.

He prayed. And he prayed to the right person. And watch this,

D. He prayed for the right thing.

It’s always good to pray for the right thing. Notice Bartimaeus prayed for mercy before he prayed for his sight. Mercy is the primary blessing we all need from God. We need God’s mercy!

And I love verse 49. Mark 10:49 (AV) And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. Jesus stood still. You talk about the sun (S.U.N.) standing still for Joshua of the Old Testament, but here we see the son (the S.O.N.) standing still for Bartimaeus!

Bartimaeus was glad the Son stood still for him. I’m glad Jesus stood still for me! Aren’t you?

I want you to see the fifth and the last thing that Bartimaeus did that was right.

E. He prayed at the Right Time.

Mark 10:47–48 (AV) 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. 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.

Just as Jesus was passing by. This would be the last time that Jesus would be in Jericho. He was on His way to Jerusalem where He would be crucified for our sins.

Despite the large crowds and the discouragement, he received from others, Bartimaeus cried out. And when he cried out for mercy, he received an audience with the Father!

As the crowd realized that Jesus was calling for this son of Timaeus they began to encourage him. This same crowd which just a few minutes earlier were trying to muffle Bartimaeus’ pleas now encourage him!

VI. The Action of Bartimaeus

Mark 10:50 (AV) And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

How did Bartimaeus respond to the invitation? He cast away his loose outer garment which I believe is symbolic of one throwing off the old man, and then “he lowered his head and drove his feet” to get to Jesus! (What my old football coach used to tell us to do, “lower your head and drive your feet!”)

Bartimaeus would have run over anybody in his way! The Bible says, “he rose and came to Jesus.”

Lost sinners need to do that today. Just come to Jesus!

Verse 51 tells us that it was only after he had come to Jesus that he asked for his sight. He had already received mercy and grace. And here the miracle takes place. A deeper, more meaningful miracle had already taken place.

Mark 10:51 (AV) 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.

Then look at verse 52 as we close this passage and this sermon. Mark 10:52 (AV) 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.

Faith is the key word here. Remember, Bartimaeus did five things that were right that day. 1) He listened, 2) He prayed, 3) He prayed to the right person, 4) He prayed at the right time, and 5) He prayed for the right thing.

And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

I have a feeling that when Jesus victoriously entered Jerusalem in chapter 11, that Born-again Bartimaeus was right there along side Jesus!

Would you pray with me?