Listening And Reacting

Title: Listening and Reacting

Theme:

Text: Mark 10:46-47

Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 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 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Mark 10:46-48

Introduction

The Bible records four people who were healed in Jericho from blindness. Blindness was not uncommon in the Middle East. With the hot sun and the blowing sand some say that as many as 1 in 5 will go blind. Luke tells us of a blind man who was healed “as he was come nigh to Jericho” (Luke 18:35-43). Matthew tells us of two blind men who were healed as Jesus “departed from Jericho” (Matthew 20:29-34). Then we come to this passage. The story of Blind Bartimaeus.

Mark chose to personalize his story. He gives the name of the man healed, Blind Bartimaeus, and his father’s name “son of Timaeus”. It seems that he had been blind for a long time for he had come to be known as “blind Bartimaeus” by the people. Here he was on the main road that travels through Jericho. It was not uncommon to find blind men on this road. This was the road that many merchants would be to trade. The road of commerce that led into and through Jericho. A blind man’s only sustenance would be to sit on this road and beg for money or food. It was their hope that someone would lead them to the street to beg.

The Bible tells us that this day in the History of Jericho was not to be an ordinary day. On this day the master was going to pass through. On this day the savior of the world would come through Jericho. And let me tell you where the Lord is there is the power to heal. Whether or not we receive it or believe it, it is true. So this was an exciting day.

This city Jericho that was famous for its walls that had fallen by the power of God many centuries of ago. More walls were about to be broken. This time it was a wall between God and man. Jesus was going to break that wall and bring healing to a man.

With his disciples and a great following Jesus passed through the streets of Jericho. Why? Looking for people to heal. Oh there were many in the city but there were not many who were willing to believe. Healing comes only to those who believe.

Luke 5:17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

2 Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars."

2 Chronicles 16:9 MSG GOD is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him. You were foolish to go for human help when you could have had God’s help. Now you’re in trouble--one round of war after another."

Blind Bartimaeus listened

And then there was the man Blind Bartimaeus. Sitting on the street begging. How did he know Jesus was coming? Sitting on the streets he could not see the crowd but he could hear them.

It is a known fact that when one of our senses does not work the other senses seem to take of the slack and grow stronger. When a person is blind it seems that their hearing is better. Their sense of touch and smell is increased. Although I don’t believe it is a change but I believe that they are more aware of the other senses. Many times it is hard to get the best out of our senses when we have all five working.

Blind Bartimaeus had become a listener. He could not see but he could listen. Many times this is why the Lord will place us in our circumstances to get us to listen. He wants us to quick talking and start listening. When is the last time you just closed your eyes and meditated on the Lord? In prayer instead of speaking just listen.

James tells us in James 1:19 to be “ swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” A great formula in our relationship with each other but even better in our relationship with the Lord.