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.
We are to be listeners. Maybe this is what the Lord is doing trying to get our attention so we could quit talking about our problems and start listening to the Lord.
If Blind Bartimaeus would have been busy talking or doing other things he would have missed Jesus. This is why it is so important to have our eyes sensitized to the preaching of the word and sensitized to the voice of the Lord. We must have ears to hear what the spirit has to say.
Blind Bartimaeus called
When he heard Jesus he reacted. The Bible says that he, “began to cry out, and say, ‘Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me’”. Not only did he hear but he reacted.
He heard and he began to cry out to the Lord. “Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me”. Over and over again. He continued this. He had a need and he knew only one man that could meet this need. He was going to get the attention of the Lord.
James again tells us that, “We have not because we ask not”. Jesus said in John 14:13 “And whatsoever you ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you will ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
We must ask. But we must ask with a pure heart and motives not for our glory but to glorify to the father.
Blind Bartimaeus persisted
Listen to what happened when he called.
Mark 10:48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
When he began to cry out to the Lord he got the attention of the crowd. The word cry means to call out with great emotion and vigor. They immediately tried to quiet him. Literally they told him to “Shut up”. He was crying out to the Lord and they did not have time for him. Maybe they had their own needs they wanted met. Maybe they were to busy following the master to help the man.
What they should have been doing was getting this man to Jesus instead of trying to be so selfish. I have learned that God will always bless those who bless others. God will give to those who give to others.
Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."
He is not just speaking about what we give to the Lord but also what we give to others.
But blind Bartimaeus was faithful and persistent. He did not let those around him stop him. He was determined to get the attention of the master. I have heard people say, “I don’t want to keep coming to the altar because of what people think. They must get tired of me doing it.” Let me be honest and tell you some people do. And their problem is they have got their eyes to much on others than themselves.
But let me also tell you I am not going to let what people think rob me of the blessing the Lords wants to give to me.
Jesus stood still.
I like what it says next in verse 49 “Jesus stood still”. Blind Bartimaeus had gotten the attention of Jesus. Jesus heard his cry and called him to him. But just think he stopped Jesus and Jesus took time for him. Jesus will always take time for you. You want to know how to make him stop, listen for his voice and call to him. This will makes him stop. Be persistent.
Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Bartimaeus moved by faith
A. He cast away his garments
He dropped all that he had and went to Jesus. This was an act of faith. His garments represented what he used to be. As he would sit on his cloak during the day and beg to those who passed by. He knew he would no longer need these.
One problem we have when asking is that we are not casting. The Bible tells us in Matthew speaking of the disciples that they “dropped their nets” and followed Jesus. They did not need them any more. By faith they knew the Lord would provide.
Many people keep going back and picking up their nets after the Lord has changed their lives. People who become Christians should drop their nets “sin” and follow Jesus. You can’t keep going back.
“If you are praying for rain carry an umbrella”
B. He rose and came to Jesus
It is not important just to hear from the Lord but it is also important to do something about it.
When God is speaking to your heart you now have something to do and your reaction will affect your blessing. One area that affects many people is giving. Tithing to the Lord is an area that the Lord speaks to our heart about. We complain about all the financial stress that we put ourselves in with in return takes away our room to tithe then we complain to the Lord because he is not blessing when in reality he has told you what you need to do but you won’t listen nor react.
This happens in sickness. It happens in stress. God has all the answers and he gives us the solution all we have to do is react.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, What do you want me to do for you? Mark 10:51
Jesus knew what he needed but he is more interested in hearing it from Bartimaeus.
“Ask and it shall be given unto you” James “we have not because we ask not.”
Blind Bartimaeus asked
Mark 10:51c “Lord, that I might receive my sight.” Lord that I may no longer be physically or spiritually blind.
Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
When we ask then the Lord will answer. We must ask. We must tell him our need. Does he know it, “yes” but he wants to hear it from you.
Bartimaeus followed
We can no longer call him Blind Bartimaeus. All his life he had been known as Blind Bartimaeus but the Lord changed his name now he was Bartimaeus “son of Timaeus”
Last thing Bartimaeus did was he “followed Jesus in the way”. He did not turn back after his miracle but he went straight and followed Jesus. Jesus not only touched Him physically but also spiritually. He came away a changed man. Jesus don’t just want to heal meet our needs or heal our wounds he wants to heal out infirmities and iniquities.
Conclusion
You need something from the Lord. I say follow in the foot steps of Bartimaeus. Listen to his voice, call to him, leave your garments, rise up, ask him and don’t go back. You don’t need to go back you need to stand strong.
Salvation: Many people have been asking God for salvation for years. He is calling you. He is asking you to make a commitment.
Healing: You need a healing from the Lord.
