How The Blind Can See Series

How the Blind Can See

Mark 10: 46-52

It has been said, “There is no one so blind as he who will not see”. Our world is filled with blind people. Now, I’m not talking necessarily about physical blindness. There are many who see perfectly physically but live in absolute blindness to the Lord. They refuse to see the love of Christ. Many have heard the truth of Jesus but have never had their eyes opened to see their condition, or their great need. Jesus alone can touch blinded eyes.

Our text deals with a man who was physically blind but had a great desire to see. The text doesn’t reveal how long he had been blind, but we know he was unable to see. As much as he desired to receive his sight, there was nothing he could do to bring about healing. Through the encounter Bartimaeus had with Jesus, we see a great spiritual lesson that applies to all people. As we discuss the details of our text, I want to consider: How the Blind Can See.

I. His Condition (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. As Jesus and His disciples were departing Jericho, they encountered Bartimaeus sitting on the roadside. Their initial encounter revealed much about the condition of Bartimaeus. We discover:

He was Blind – His life was filled with darkness, never seeing the beauty of God’s creation. He lived in total darkness, a life of bondage to his condition. There was nothing he could do about it; he was blind!

He was a Beggar – The blindness hindered his daily activities. He couldn’t hold a job or earn wages; thus, he was a beggar. He depended on the sympathy and generosity of others. No doubt the desperate situation of Bartimaeus brought much despair and uncertainty to his life.

His condition paints a perfect picture of those lost in sin, apart from Jesus. A lost man lives in complete darkness. He never sees the beauty of the Lord. He cannot see to find his way, stumbling along the pathway of sin. 2 Cor.4:4 – In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. The lost are also beggars. They have no means of providing salvation for themselves. They are simply beggars in need of the gift of salvation. I remember when I was a blind beggar, but thank God Jesus passed by!

II. His Cry (47-48) – 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. Bartimaeus couldn’t see what was happening, but he knew something was going on. He heard the commotion of the crowd. Can you imagine how he felt when he learned it was Jesus? He must’ve heard about Jesus, the One who had performed these mighty miracles. Jesus was coming! He had never met this Jesus, but he believed Jesus could help him. He began to cry out – Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me!

Now, there were those who tried to keep him quiet, but he cried out the more. He was determined to get to Jesus. He wasn’t about to lose his only opportunity. This was his chance, his moment to receive his sight, and Bartimaeus was determined to do all he could to receive the touch only Jesus could provide.

Is that not how each of us were? We were hopeless beggars until Jesus passed by. I had heard of Him, but I had never met Him. I knew what Jesus could do, but I had never called out to Him. Thank God, I realized my condition and cried out to Jesus. The world and Satan will try to keep you quiet. They will say – You don’t need to do that; just wait a while. We must cry out to Him while He is near; He may not pass our way again. Many have waited for another chance that never came. Isaiah 55:6 – Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.

III. His Comfort (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. The persistent cry of Bartimaeus was successful. Jesus heard his cry and called for him to come. Consider the joy he felt at that moment. Jesus, the miracle worker was calling for him. Jesus had taken time for a blind beggar; He was genuinely concerned with the needs of Bartimaeus.