Strike While The Iron Is Hot

iv. or they would have missed out.

6. In our text, is the story about a man who was willing to "strike while the iron was hot"

7. Read Text: Mark 10:46-52

Body

1. The Story

A. Jericho was only about 15 miles from Jerusalem.

i. The main road ran right through Jericho.

ii. Jesus was on his way to the Passover.

B. When a distinguished Rabbi or teacher was on such a journey...

i. it was the custom that he was surrounded by a crowd of people,

a. disciples and others

ii. Then these people would listened to their Rabbi as he taught while they walked along.

iii. This was one of the most common ways of teaching.

C. It was the law that every male Jew over twelve years of age who lived within 15 miles of Jerusalem must attend the Passover.

i. This law was impossible...

ii. everyone couldn’t go.

iii. Those who couldn’t go were in the habit of lining the streets where groups of travellers must pass by

D. This gave them the opportunity to see some of the famous Rabbis

i. and hear some of their teachings

ii. as they made their way along.

E. So the streets of Jericho would be lined with people,

i. and there would have been even more people than usual,

ii. because there would be a great many who would be there to catch a glimpse of this provocative young Galilaean

iii. who everyone was talking about. —Barclay’s Daily Study Bible (NT)

F. And as Jesus made His way through the throng...

i. teaching as He went....

G. Bartimaeus (I’ll call him "Bart" for short) was no dummy.

i. Bart figured that this would be a great place to score some cash...

ii. There was a great big crowd...

iii. and maybe they would be generous to a blind man.

H. Suddenly, Bart hears the noise of the crowd intensify...

i. he begins to ask the people around him....

ii. "Who is it?"

iii. "What’s happening?"

iv. "Can you see what’s going on?"

I. A compassionate bystander tells him, "Jesus is going by...wow, I wish you could see this"

J. Bart had heard the stories...

i. He had heard about this Man from Galilee...

ii. He had heard about the miracles....

iii. He had heard about the healings....

K. So he starts to shout, "Jesus, Jesus...hey, I’m over here! Help me, Help me!"

L. The crowd around him yells back...

i. "Shut up...we are trying to listen to the Master...

ii. we can’t hear what He’s saying with you making all that racket"

M. Instead of quieting down...

i. Bart begins to yell all the louder....

ii. JESUS....JESUS....HEY, I NEED HELP...JESUS!!!

N. Jesus hears Bart and stops where He is....

i. He tells the crowd, "Bring that man to me"

O. Now, all of a sudden, the crowd changes its tune...

i. They say, "Hey, Bart, you lucky dog, Jesus wants to see you"

P. Bart jumps us and is led to Jesus....

i. Jesus says, "How can I help you"

ii. Bart says, "I want to be able to see"

iii. And Jesus heals him...

iv. And Bart just follows Jesus along....

v. praising the Lord for what happened to him.

2. The role of the church

A. I’d like for you to take a look at the crowd in this story.

i. to me, the crowd represents the attitude of the church.

B. Sometimes, when we come across people who have needs...