Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road. Mark 10:46-52
A familiar story, but I hope you too will ask Jesus for new sight.
The crowd that told “Bart” to “be quiet” saw Jesus physically, but completely missed who He was. They were unable to spiritually see His kingly power and authority because their spiritual lenses were cataracted by the “god of this age” (Satan) and their hearts were hardened by their sin. All this and more prevented them from seeing Him as God. Bart on the other hand was physically blind, and yet by faith saw Jesus for who He truly was. His reference of “Son of David” indicates his acknowledgement of the messianic line coming from David’s family, the tribe of Judah. Bart not only declares Jesus’ majesty and ruler ship over his life, “Rabboni” (my Master) but equally calls upon Him via the method by which He came…full of mercy.
Just as Jesus asked Bart what he wanted, He extends that same invitation to us. (See Matthew 7:7-11) What would your true answer to His question be? I bet the crowd threw out a bunch of requests as if Jesus were a “spiritual DJ”? The text doesn’t indicate that any of their requests were honored. Bart’s request was beyond the ability to make things out in the physical realm; he wanted to be able to behold the beauty, glory and majesty of the Lord. He needed to see Jesus incarnate, not God in mere theological or religious terms but God living in the real world. Being blind he was only a hearer of the word, but with sight he could now participate in the things of God as a doer of the word. Notice in the text that there was no response from Jesus’ disciples regarding the miracle. Maybe they too followed the likes of the crowd.
What also interests me is the end result of the characters in the story. We see the crowd at the beginning of the story physically following Jesus looking for something that would satisfy their selfish desires. They end up just as spiritually blind as before. Bart on the other hand has his physical eyes opened and becomes a true follower Jesus with his whole life; he was now able to live externally what he was previously living internally.
One last thought for you to chew on. When blind Bart was healed and decides to follow Jesus, he doesn’t wait until he is showered, shaved and cleanly clothed. Bart doesn’t wait until he gets his act together; he follows Jesus in his tattered clothing, unkempt hair and a body odor that probably stunk to high heaven. (After all he was a homeless beggar). Notice that Jesus doesn’t tell him to go home get cleaned up, get your act together then you can follow me. My learning is this: Jesus calls us to come as we are and not as we should be, because we will never be as we should be this side of heaven. Remind your pre-Christian friends that they don’t have to be perfect before they come to Jesus, tell them to come as they are and allow Jesus to make them perfect. We too need to trust the Holy Spirit to transform those undesirable life areas in those who are new to the faith, instead of bombarding them with a list of “do’s and don’ts” to follow in order to be truly “Christian”.
· So who are you in the story? One of the Disciples, the crowd, Bart?
· What are you asking for?
· What are you only hearing but not doing?
· What level of perfection are you striving for to get God to notice you? (A worthless exercise)
· What “crowd noise” or distractions are inhibiting you from seeking Jesus with the intent of gaining better sight of Him?
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