Seeing without Seeing

INTRO: This story is found both in Mark 10:46ff and Matthew 20:29-34. While Luke describes the event happening as Jesus is approaching Jericho on His way to Jerusalem, Mathew and Mark both say that it happened as He was leaving Jericho. Matthew also says that there were two blind men who cried out. Although some believe this to be at least two if not three separate healing events. The stories are so similar that it makes more sense that they are the same event. This also lends credibility to the nature of multiple authors whose stories convey the same account without any of the crucial information lost. 2 Cor. 5:7 “For we walk by faith not by sight”

The Inquiry of a Blind Man V.35-37

A. Jesus and His followers are approaching Jericho and a blind man is sitting by the road begging.

1. Unable to see, this man asks others who can see what is going on. v.36

2. They told him that “Jesus of Nazareth” was passing by.

NOTE: By this time Jesus had made a name for himself. However some say that the term used here “Jesus of Nazareth” may have been in a derogatory sense. Either way this man knew o whom they were speaking.

ILLUST: Obviously people who are unable to see need someone or something to guide them. This man knew there was a crowd coming through and so he had to rely on those around him to help him see.

There are people who are blinded to who Jesus is. It might be because they have had bad experiences in a church or with “Christians”, Maybe they were raised a muslim, mormon or an atheist and have a wrong view of Jesus.

If someone were to ask you what is going on with this Jesus, why is their a crowd following Him, why do you follow Him, would you know how to answer? Would you simply identify Him as “Jesus from the bible”, “Jesus a good man”, Jesus a prophet”? Luckily for this man he could see more clearly than these in the crowd describing who it was that was passing by.

The Plea of A Blind Mind V.38-39

1. “Jesus Son of David” v.38

NOTE: Although Bartimaeus could not see with his eyes, his spirit has been quickened to the truth of Jesus true identity. Only The Father can do this but how might it had happened?

ILLUST: Could a kind hearted person sat down beside this blind man and gave him some money and told him about a man who was born in the city of David and was doing miracles? Could this man have known the prophecies of the promise of the Abrahamic covenant and an anointed one that would reign on the throne of David forever?

2. “Have Mercy on me.”

NOTE: This is the pity the man was asking for because he couldn’t see. No one else cared! in verse 39 “those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet.” Those who led the way might very well have been some of his twelve disciples since Mark says that He was “with His disciples”.

ILLUST: Jesus’ followers have some kind of strange idea that they should receive closeness with Jesus and all the benefits that come with that but others . . . not so much. I want to encourage anyone to never let another person stop you from pursuing Jesus to meet the need you have. This man calls out a second time “Son of David, have mercy on me.” V.39b after they told him to be quiet.

Jesus is our only hope for healing in this life and eternal life in the age to come. If you you don’t recognize this whether you have eyes or not you will live a spiritually blind life.

What Do you want Me to do for you? V.41-43

NOTE: When someone is serious about wanting to know Jesus and serious about calling on Him to do what only He can do in their life, this is the response they receive. We always talk about praying with the stipulation “if it be your will.”

What if we knew God so well and He knew us to the point that He could trust us that when He asked “what do you want?” we would make a good decision? What if our spiritual blindness was made sight and we could begin to see as Jesus sees, could God trust us with these kinds of decisions, to make them based on His will and not our own?

ILLUST: Joni erickson Tada, paralyzed from age 17 in a diving accident has learned a lot about God’s will and her wants. (2 min video “Blessed In Brokenness.”)

1. “Lord, I want to regain my sight!”

NOTE: “Regain my sight” is one word ἀναβλέπω, (a) I look up, e.g. Mt. 14:19; (b) I recover my sight, e.g. Mt. 11:5.

2. Jesus response is “Receive your sight” is one word in the Greek. ἀναβλέπω, (a) I look up, e.g. Mt. 14:19; (b) I recover my sight, e.g. Mt. 11:5.

Souter, Alexander. A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament 1917: 17. Print.

Matthew 14:19 “. . .and looking up toward heaven . . .”

The Faith of this man was told to look up, the eyes of this man received sight. Which comes first the chicken or the egg? Either way faith, genuine faith in Jesus is the key to salvation and healing of both the spirit as well as the body. Meaning that if God’s will is for my healing in my body it will be by the power of Christ. And if my body is never healed the salvation of my soul which is who I am is found only in the Son of David and His merciful sacrifice to die in My place. That faith is what real sight is all about, that kind of seeing doesn’t need eyes, it simply needs humility to understand that I am a sinner and my spirit is dead without the life that Jesus can give me.

CLOSE: Jesus wants people to have a spiritual relationship with Him no matter what their physical state of being is.

Seeing is not believing, Believing is seeing!