Mark 10:46-52English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus
46 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.47 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!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.51 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.” 52 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.
Accompanying John MacArthur sermon: The Final Miracle of Mercy
Accompanying David Legge sermon: A Real Eye-Opener
Accompanying Robert Rayburn sermon: A Representative Disciple
This is such a direct contrast to yesterday's passage. "What do you want me to do for you?" The disciples wanted Jesus to elevate them, whereas this man wanted Jesus to heal/rescue/save him.
Rayburn makes this interesting note (MacArthur does as well)...
Bartimaeus is the only one of the many people whose healings are recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke who is referred to by name. Mark adds the translation of his name, a patronymic, for the benefit of his Gentile readers. That he is known by name and mentioned by name almost certainly indicates that the man was known to the disciples and to the Christian world. The disciples continued to know this man and knowing him they mention him by name.
This is such a clear illustration of salvation. We need to know that we are spiritually blind. We need to know that Jesus is the only one that can help us. We need to know that we personally rely completely on His mercy and we need to cry out to Him for that mercy. And then we need to follow Him - wide-eyed and exhilarated!
MacArthur sums it up....
So many lessons here. You see the Lord’s profound compassion. You see that He never ignores the cry of a true heart of repentance and desperate sinners who know they’re worthy of nothing will always gain a hearing with Him. You learn again what we’ve seen all through His ministry that He has the power to heal disease, but far more importantly, He has the power to save sinners, turn them in to obedient followers who live lives of true worship.
Tomorrow's scripture focus: Mark 11:1-11
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