Bartimaeus. Physically blind, financially strapped. Stuck in a job that is going nowhere. He is a nuisance. He is in the way. He is a passing thought. He is in fact, a painful reminder to everyone walking by, that disaster is very possible in their own lives. This man is nothing….and yet, and yet, Bartimaeus is Jesus’ man. Bartimaeus is the one who Jesus pays attention to. Jesus walked by many people that day: The righteous, the godly, the honest, the faithful; Bartimaeus is the one who receives blessing, while others, who are good people, who are believers, even some are His twelve disciples, they receive nothing.
Why is that? Why Bartimaeus? Here is a man who has absolutely nothing going for him, not a thing. He is a person of no significance, whatsoever, and yet he is able to bring out some of the most powerful words in Scripture. See them there in verse 49. “Jesus stopped”. Jesus is walking along, He is on his way to fulfill his destiny as messiah in the city of Jerusalem - you know He has to be walking with purpose. He is approaching the pinnacle of His ministry here on earth and BAMM – out of nowhere, Jesus stopped. Jesus has this incredible task in front of him, and – it is just gone, set aside, not important for the moment. Astounding.
What a valuable piece of Scripture we have before us. Jesus just stops what He is doing and all attention is on Bart, “I wonder, how can I get God’s attention like that?”, “How can I get God to pay attention to me?”. Well, Mark lays it out for us right here. He sets it out before us this morning, as plain as day.
If you do not have you bibles open to our Scripture, please turn there right now, follow along, and see how old Bart does it. Mark 10:46-52 is where we are at.
Jesus walks right by Bartimaeus, but Bartimaeus exhibits several characteristics that make Jesus stop for this man (I tell you, that blows me away), Jesus usually doesn’t stop for anything, but here He stops dead in his tracks for Bartimaeus. Let’s, look at God’s powerful Word now and see how this applies directly to our lives.
Picking up from last week, we see that Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, but this is trip to Jerusalem is not just any ordinary trip. It is when Jesus is going to enter his passion, suffer and die. This is a defining moment in the lives of those walking with Him. Remember, Jesus was traveling with his twelve disciples and a large group of other people, we are not sure how many, some are believers, some are curious, some probably are not sure why they are walking with Jesus. At this point they are passing through Jericho. This is one of the oldest cities in the area. It is literally an oasis in the desert, it is called the city of palms for the many thousands of huge palm trees that grow there. Jericho sits low, near the Dead Sea about eighteen miles northeast of Jerusalem and is in a very rugged region with the road to Jerusalem leading through desolate and mountainous country, notoriously unsafe, and it was a very difficult walk to Jerusalem - it is up hill, all the way to Jerusalem. Jericho is famous for it’s walls falling down and today it is considered a Palestinian city in the state of Israel. Let me tell you, it is one hot and dusty place.
This is the last healing miracle in the book of Mark. We see that Jesus does heal the ear of the servant of the high priest at his arrest the garden of Gethsemane, but that is not recorded in the Gospel of Mark. Here Mark records this as the last healing to emphasize to us how significant it was that Jesus stopped…..and healed this man.
Jericho was also a redemptive spot for tax collector Zacchaeus (Luke 19), and the good Samaritan (Luke 10). I think in some ways, the city of Jericho represents in Scripture a place of another chance, a place where those who are having great difficulty in life are given another shot, another chance at redemption. It is an oasis to be refreshed at and start a new life, a new beginning. I see it as no accident that Jesus and Bart deal with each other in this place of Jericho. You know, even when we see life at a stand still, when we look around us and see nothing but hot dry desert, Jesus is able, Jesus is able.
Now the blind usually begged in the ancient world because their family was too poor to support them or their family was too ashamed of them, or even superstitious of why they were afflicted with blindness. It was common folklore of the day, that if one was struck with blindness or another devastating affliction, it was as a result of a sin in the person’s life or it was because of some sin in their parent’s life. As a result, people shied away from the blind; If God had cursed them with blindness, who knows, perhaps, God might curse those who deal too closely with the blind, who they thought God cursed.
Bartimaeus is sitting there by the roadside and he is a man who has a crisis that is beyond his control or ability to correct/change. He is stuck in his situation, there is nothing that he can do. He cannot will his way out of it. He cannot believe his way out of it (we will look at the issue of his faith in a bit). He cannot plan his way out of it. He cannot educate his way out of it. So…he chose to go to a higher source, to a source outside himself.
Bartimaeus made a choice, “I am going to stop living this way.” And, look, here is it for us, here is the first thing we need to understand from our Scripture. Look carefully and consider. This choice to stop living the way he was living is the impetus that propels him to a new destiny. This choice, this decision, this possible course of action, is the significant moment here in this passage. In verse 47, behind those words he expresses, is that life changing decision – and that decision is a spark of faith, just a spark, it is that decision to move on, that spark that can seem so insignificant, is in reality so powerful. Bartimaeus, could have pushed that spark of faith away as simply a silly notion, a crazy idea, he could have squashed it. Let me tell you, that spark of faith there is a gift from God to Bartimaeus. All true faith is a gift from God. When that spark of faith enters into your life, as small a it is, grab a hold of it, DON’T LET THE SPARK DIE OUT.
One right choice can turn your life around.
This blind man, makes a choice to obey the Holy Spirit and grab a hold of that spark of faith that fell into his life. He takes it, he grabs a hold of it and there in verse 47, he calls out to Jesus, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” and my friends, that calling out to Jesus is nothing less than an act of faith, an act of belief, a fanning of the spark that was created moments ago in this man when he made his decision – I will not live like this any more!
Calling out, “Son of David” shows that Bart has formed a conviction about Jesus. The designation, “Jesus of Nazareth” is used to describe Jesus’ humanity. “Jesus Son of David”, appeals to Jesus’ divinity. Jesus of Nazareth was used by unbelievers, mockers and detractors like those who arrest Jesus, or like the soldiers who beat Jesus. Even the girl who confronts Peter in the courtyard during Jesus interrogation calls refers to him as Jesus of Nazareth. After Jesus is risen, He is referred to as Jesus Christ of Nazareth, with Christ being the term of Lordship. But, the designation Bart uses, “Son of David” is a messianic term, used to describe the messiah. This is a messianic title that we see expressed in isa 11:1, jer 23:5f, ezek 34:23f.
Notice, Jesus does not reject the title does he? Rather, He pays particular attention when He hears it. Why? It is an expression of convicted faith. Jesus is not just a teacher, a good man, He is the messiah, the Lord God himself. Again, notice Bart uses this designation BEFORE being healed, this reflects his conviction that Jesus is the one promised. Isa 35:4-5, 61:1. Bart has faith, before he is healed. This spark, this small amount of faith that stirred in him when he made that decision to stop living how he was living, that spark of faith, grabs at Jesus heart. How much faith do we need? Jesus tells us, the amount of faith you need is faith the size of a teeny, tiny, mustard seed.
Also note, and this is very important, that, he must call more than once, in fact, he must call repeatedly. Again and again. He is persistent. See that there? You see, as he calls on Jesus, the spark of faith is fanned, he calls again, it smolders, he calls some more, it smokes, he calls ever louder, ever more persistently and his faith - erupts. Boom. “Son of David, have mercy on me!” He, is, on, fire!
And then, there are those powerful, powerful, words…..just take a look, verse 49, “Jesus stopped”, Jesus, senses a fire of faith building and it stops Him in his tracks. “Call him” Says Jesus.
Folks, we don’t bring an issue before Jesus once, and that is the end of it, there is a purpose to our repeatedly bringing up an issue before God, and that purpose is the building of our faith. We pray our faith sparks, we pray - our faith smolders, we pray - our faith smokes, we pray, we pray, we pray, we pray – there’s fire. The repeated calling out to God is not for God’s benefit, it is not so God can make a decision - it is for our benefit, to build our faith. God isn’t mean to us by causing us to call out repeatedly, God knows how we work and so he presses us to repeatedly pray and the result is a growing faith.
Bartimaeus was physically blind and financially strapped, but he moved beyond his limitations, he might have been blind, but he certainly could talk. So, he shouts to Jesus. But the crowd, they are holding him back, they tell him to be quiet. The crowd regarded him as a nuisance and resented his attempt at delaying them. They were with this important man Jesus, on their way to an important city, for a major event. Understand that these people walking with Jesus were religious folks. People who were honest, people who worshiped the true God, people who you and I would probably say, “these are really good people”. Maybe so, but here, they were only annoyed. They don’t help - they curse the man. Just because you have a limitation, doesn’t mean others are going to help you does it? Even if they are good people.
Bart refuses to listen to other voices, he listened instead for Jesus’ voice. The crowd rebukes him, (verse 48) he persists. They tell him to shut up, he shouts louder. The more they try to stop him the more intense he becomes. Remember earlier we talked about that tiny, small, spark of faith? That decision to go for it, that decision to stop living like you are right now. What do you think is pushing him on? Don’t worry about how much faith you have, a little is all you need!
We have voices all around us who try to block our connection with Jesus. They say things like, “You don’t take the bible seriously do you?”, They insinuate that being spiritual has something to do with being organic or being in touch with yourself. They say to us: “This whole faith thing must not be real, God hasn’t done what you asked – so you might as well give up”. They tell us that taking the spiritual world seriously is foolishness. What they do, is they shout ignorance our way….don’t buy it. Don’t listen to those detractors. The reality is this: Jesus is real, Jesus is powerful, Jesus is ready to act on your behalf and change your world. Voices may try to cut off your path to God, but they can never cut off your heart for God. Bart seem to instinctively know this and he keeps calling for Jesus. Follow his example.
Let me remind you that Jesus is not some sort of genie that we command or make demands of. As we look at this passage don’t you see Bart doing that. This man Bartimaeus first pleads for mercy and then presents a request. He does not demand, he does not manipulate….he asks for mercy. Again, follow his example.
Now what if Bart, stopped calling for Jesus and started arguing with those who tried to stop him? “Hey get out of the way, you jerks. I can shout if I want to.” You know what would have happened? Absolutely nothing. Bartimaeus would sit back down on his cloak, and get back to business. End of story. This is what happens to us is it not? Some of us are in the same state we were twenty years ago, waiting for Jesus to walk by. Perhaps we might start thinking about doing things a little differently.
How long does it take for God to listen to me? Well, how well are you tending that spark of faith inside you? Think about it. Is it really such a mystery? Bartimaeus, he took personal initiative to have a personal encounter with Jesus - and let us be very clear on this: Bartimaeus is the absolute last person on that road that day, the absolute, last person who had a chance for change in his life. But he calls out to God, repeatedly – and Jesus stopped.
The phrase, “have mercy on me” is a cry directed toward God by the afflicted in the Psalms ex 4:1, 6:2, 41:4, 51:1, 109:26, 123:3. This type of prayer, which is really is – a prayer, is a general request. It is not about anything specific. Bart has been doing this general plea for years as people walk by him day after day – “Alms for the poor, alms for the poor” and what has he received from this kind of request? A few coins. A general request equals a general answer. Let me ask you this: If your prayers are not specific, “bless me Lord”, how in the world can you know if they are answered?
So Jesus wants him to get beyond the big picture, and there in verse 51 Jesus asks, what exactly do you want? Articulate!…..Jesus asks, what do you want? Well, what is it that you want?
Be very, very careful how you answer that question. See, we usually focus on the immediate, on the results of a difficulty rather than the source of the problem. Let’s look at it this way: If Bart had some cash instead of a few coins his life would be sweet; Bart could has answered Jesus, “Jesus, could you just set me up financially, then all these things will come together in my life – I will have decent meal everyday, a nice place to live, clothes that fit right AND I won’t have to continue to be ridiculed everyday at my place of work”. No, Bart does not focus on the results of his problem, he focuses on the source of his problem, blindness.
I want us to note this: When people came to Jesus, Jesus never, never, gave them money. He never gave them stuff. And yet, what do we ask for? Stuff. How ridiculous. So then, isn’t it obvious? If Jesus never gave anyone money… or stuff, while He was walking the earth in his ministry, why in the world would He be giving away stuff to us now? You know, we could ask Jesus to give us a few thousands dollars to help us with our financial problems right now, but then, some time later, we find ourselves back to needing a little more cash - because money is not the problem. Don’t look at the manifestations of your problem, what is the source of your problem?
Back to verse 51, Bartimaeus answers Jesus, “Rabbi, I want to see.” And there it is. Do you see it in verse 52? Everything comes together now, and life will never be the same, “Go, your faith has healed you.”
Ok, let us be very careful how we interpret that last statement, “your faith has healed you”. Many will assume, and an assumption it is, that there is this essence, this energy called faith, and that if we work up enough of it, work up enough of this energy, then that essence, that energy will be effective, and then things will happen in my life. No. That is not Christian thought, nor is it biblical. It is something else, and believe me, you do not want to go there.
Jesus healed the man, the man did NOT heal himself. How much faith do you need? Luke 17:5 “The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.”
Faith is not some sort of energy to be manipulated and our faith is not faith in ourselves. Our faith is placed in the person of Jesus Christ, period. Bartimaeus was healed because he placed his faith, the little that he had, he didn’t need much faith, he placed his faith in, Jesus. His faith was effective, why, because it was placed in the right person, Jesus Christ. There is your power. There is your answer.
Here is the clincher for us in this whole story, verse 50: “Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.” Bartimaeus would have taken his cloak off and placed it in front of him to catch coins. The cloak here represents his old way of life. He is managing, he is getting by, and by those few coins he is keeping himself alive, but he threw off his past – and left it. He left the limitations placed on him, he left the only security he had ever known, he cast it aside – before he went to Jesus. He has to turn his back on his old life, are you hearing what I am saying? He gets up goes to Jesus – and, never, looks, back. 52 “Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”
When you come to Jesus, you cannot go back. Many of us go to Jesus, and then, go back to our old life and we wonder, “Why is everything the same? Why is my life stuck where it is?
Jesus, He is walking by you this very day, don’t sit there satisfied with a few coins on an old cloak, take the initiative, take that spark of faith and pray that faith into a fire.
Alter call.
