Test: Mark 10:46-52
“The blind man who could see”
Introduction: Jesus was with his entourage heading to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Everyone crowded around the divine “teacher” to hear what this holy Rabbi had to say. Only blind Bartimaeus seemed to “see” the significance of the moment.
Today’s message is entitled: "The Blind Man who could See."
1. Bartimaeus could see: That Jesus was the Christ.
When the blind man asked who it was that coming his way, they replied “Jesus of Nazareth.” Bartemaeus must have heard many stories about Jesus. He believed Jesus to be the Christ.
Everything in today’s message will hinge on this truth. Bartimaeus knew that “Christ” would have the power to heal blind eyes. When he cried, “Have mercy on me Jesus, thou Son of David,” he was declaring his faith.
2. Bartimaeus could see: That this was his only chance.
Note that I did not say, “Last Chance.” He had never been given a chance to have his eyes healed before this opportunity came, nor would he after.
Jesus is not just a way, a truth, a life. Jesus is the only way, the only truth, the only life. If he let this moment go, the opportunity to have his blind eyes healed would be forever gone.
It is possible to “sin away” your day of grace. It is possible to “harden your heart as in the day of provocation.”
3. Bartimaeus could see: That the crowd was wrong.
The crowd around him rebuked Bartimaeus for calling out to Christ. A few days later, another crowd would be saying, “Crucify him, crucify him.”
Bartimaeus would have to stand against the flow of the crowd. He cried the louder.
4. Bartimaeus could see: That he would have to make a fool of himself in the eyes of the world.
Bartimaeus made a decision to become a “fool for Christ.” If you make a decision to come to Christ, others will make fun of you. Are you willing to be a martyr? “All they that live for Christ will suffer persecution.”
5. Bartimaeus could see: That there was no turning back.
When it was told that Christ called for him, Bartimaeus took off his old beggars garment, and left it behind. Our filthy rags of righteousness will not do in the presence of God. This is a picture of repentance.
Bartemaeus knew that once he came to Christ, he would never have to be in bondage and beg from the world again.
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6. Bartimaeus could see: The obvious.
When Christ asked Bartimaeus, what is it that you would have me to do for you, he replied, “Lord, that I might receive my sight.” This was an obvious answer to an obvious question.
Yet, every man without Christ is blind. Few blind souls ever see their need for Christ. Why is it that a lost man does not see his obvious need for Christ? Bartimaeus did.
7. Bartimaeus could see: That he was born blessed.
Throughout the dark days of his life, Bartimaeus must have often wondered, “Why was I even born?” His life was just a matter of surviving from day to day. He was but a beggar on the streets of life.
Everything changed the day that Christ passed his way. Bartimaeus knew that in order for Christ to fulfill Bible prophecy, he would have to “heal blind eyes.” He had blind eyes. He could help Christ accomplish the purpose for which he had come into the world. It must have occurred to Bartimaeus, “So this is my purpose in life. This is the reason that I was born blind!”
Not everyone in the generation of Christ would receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but blind Bartimaeus would be among the number of the redeemed. Because of his blind eyes, he came to know Christ.
“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
Today, God is looking to seek and save that which is lost. Do you qualify? Will you “call upon the name of the Lord to be saved?”
Prayer: “Lord, open the eyes of my heart. I want to see you.”
