Bartimaeus – Mark 10: 46 - 52
Intro: While researching this sermon I came across this prayer that I want to share with you this morning. “Dear God, So far today I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped. I haven’t lost my temper. I haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or over-indulgent. I’m very thankful for that. But, in a few minutes, God, I’m going to get out of bed, and from then on, I’m probably going to need a lot of help. Amen.” (Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Oct 17, 2004 – Sermoncentral.com)
Maybe that’s the way you felt this morning when you woke up. There are days I feel exactly like that person. As I thought about Bartimaeus, I imagined he could have prayed a similar prayer.
I Taking a look at this character, Bartimaeus, may help us come to a deeper understanding of this story.
A GK. ßa?t?µa??? / Bartimaeus The first three letters Bar are literally translated as “son of” and the rest of the letters reveal the name of his father, timaeus. So, this blind beggar is known as “the son of timaeus.” Scholars are not certain whether the name Timaeus is Aramaic or Greek.
B It is interesting to note that the name in Aramaic is translated as “unclean or defiled.” However in Greek, the word timaeus can be translated as “son of honor” or “son of dignity.”
C All we know about Bartimaeus is that he was a blind beggar sitting by the side of the road whom the crowd wishes to silence b/c he is seen as one who is struck blind as a punishment for his sins or those of his parents and is therefore “unworthy.” What person or group do we recognize as unworthy of our attention b/c of who or what they are?
II I find something else really interesting about this man, Bartimaeus. Look at VS. 50 – “Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.”
A The one thing I assume from the action of Bartimaeus is that he definitely was not a Presbyterian. A Presbyterian would have quietly gotten up, folded their cloak neatly laying it carefully on the side of the road and then asked someone to take them to where Jesus was standing.
B If there had been more than one Presbyterian beggar at the side of the road, they would have formed a committee to discuss what the appropriate action would be.
C Discarding his cloak is leaving behind a significant possession that held many of his possessions, kept him shielded from the afternoon sun and provided warmth in the cold evenings. That cloak represented his OLD LIFE. BUT, Bartimaeus discarded his cloak showing his faith in the ability of Jesus to change his life forever. WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO LOSE IN ORDER TO FIND THE LORD?!
III VS. 51 – “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The question Jesus asks here is the same one he used to ask James and John in MK 10: 36.
A The response of James and John is very different. They asked Jesus for position and power. All Bartimeaus said in the last part of VS. 51 “Rabbi (teacher), I want to see.
B VS. 52 – “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. I propose that he not only regained the physical ability to see; but, he also gained spiritual insight into what Jesus was all about. HE RECEIVED HIS SIGHT AND FOLLOWED JESUS.
C In chapters 9 & 10 Jesus deals with a different kind of blindness. He deals with spiritual blindness because even His followers didn’t get that he was a spiritual Messiah and not a military Messiah. He came to bring people to God; not to get rid of the Romans and establish a Jewish kingdom.
Concl: If Jesus were to come through the door into this sanctuary this morning, walk up the center aisle, pause and turn to you asking “What do you want me to do for you?” What would you answer? Ask yourself, “is what I want Jesus to do something that will bring pleasure and praise to Jesus? Is what you ask for a legitimate request? Is your request a true need or all about your selfish wants? MOST IMPORTANTLY, do you believe Jesus can and will do what you ask? Bartimeaus believed and it happened!
