Call Him - Mark 10:49 Series

This passage shows Bartimaeus taking initiative in coming to Jesus. That is a valid way to look at salvation, teaching us that free grace doesn’t come easy. How that fits with divine sovereignty is a mystery.

Mark 10:46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus was leaving the city with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Take courage! On your feet! He's calling you." 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." 52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Introduction

There aren’t very many passages in the NT about personal evangelism. But I believe this is one.

Mark 10:46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus was leaving the city with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."

Why did Jesus do that? Why not just walk over to the guy himself? Is Jesus lazy? Of course not. I’m convinced this is a model for how God draws people. Jesus will be dead in a matter of days, and the work of reaching the world now falls on the shoulders of his followers. And so instead of calling this man himself, which he could have easily done since he was right there, he makes a point of telling his followers to call him. I can’t see any reason for that other than Jesus intended this to serve as a model for evangelism. So let’s see what we can learn from it.

Our Motivation: Christ’s Call

First, take a look at the change in attitude of Jesus’ followers.

48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet

Then one verse later:

49 "Take courage! On your feet! He's calling you."

One second they’re rebuking him, seconds later they’re all excited—“Can you believe it? He’s calling you!” I don’t know if it’s the same people both times—maybe not. But either way, the point is, once Jesus calls this man, at least some of his followers get really excited about letting the guy know. It’s Jesus’ call that gives people value in the eyes of those who honor Christ. Imagine a guy at a football game with his son. And at halftime the star quarterback gets on the PA and calls that kid to come down on the field and meet him. But kid doesn’t hear, so the dad is all excited—“Hey! He just called your name!!!” That’s the mood here.

Usually when we look for a motive to help us get more serious about evangelism, we look at the plight of the sinner and try to motivate ourselves through compassion. And that’s great, but it’s not our only motive. Another powerful motivation is spending some time thinking about the fact that Jesus is calling that person.

How do you know for sure if Jesus is calling the person? Well, if he’s weary and burdened, he’s being called.

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened

Isaiah 55:1 Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come

So if the person is spiritually bankrupt, or if they are spiritually dry—Jesus is calling them.

John 12:32 When I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.

All people are invited.

2 Peter 3:9 … The Lord is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God’s call is universal.

Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

The call is universal, and notice what it says. The Spirit and the bride are both involved in this call. And whoever hears the call is also involved in calling others. We might find ourselves sharing the gospel more if whenever we met someone we thought of them as a person on the roadside that Jesus stopped and told us, “Go tell him this is his lucky day.”