
Dclm Lesson 88, Adults Search Healing of Blind Bartimaeus
MEMORY VERSE: “And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me” (Mark 10:47).
TEXT: Mark 10:46-52
In this narration of Jesus’ healing of a blind man, the name of the blind man was mentioned probably because he was well known in the area. Blind Bartimaus story is one that evokes pity. Though he was born blind, he did not allow his situation to prevent him from coming to Christ for help. Neither did he allow anyone to shift his focus from the merciful Savior. Beggars were common sights in most towns. Since most occupations require physical labors, anyone with handicap was at a severe disadvantage and usually forced to beg in order to find a means of living. Little wonder God commanded His people to care for such needy folk (Leviticus 25:35-38). Those who are disabled to get a livelihood through their own labour and have no other way of surviving are objects of charity, and particular care ought to be taken of them. In the present dispensation however, disability is not always seen as liability as there are things that enlightened disabled individuals can do to earn a living. Blind Bartimaeus learnt that Jesus was passing by; therefore, he took advantage of the opportunity and called out for mercy (Mark 10:47). The Lord heard his call, responded and healed him. The narration of the blind Bartimaeus’ encounter with Jesus is quite illustrative of a sinner’s encounter with the Savior. His healing typifies the spiritual cure wrought by the grace of God on those that are spiritually blind.
1. SINNER’S PRE-ENCOUNTER WITH THE SAVIOUR
Mark 10:46; Ephesians 4:17, 18; 2 Corinthians 4:4: 3:14; Matthew 23:17; John 12:40; Revelation 3:17
“And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging” (Mark 10:46). The case of blind Bartimaeus is an expressive representation of the condition of sinners. A sinner is spiritually blind; thus, he is in a poor, miserable and helpless condition. He or she is blinded by sin and do not see the truth of the word of God. “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:4). A sinner is under the influence and power of the devil who has enslaved him and darkened his understanding so that he would not behold the glorious gospel of Christ. He is without any spiritual sight, and lacks a true sense of his spiritual state or condition; he does not know the way of peace, life and light. He does not understand the things of the Spirit because they are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14). In the case of blind Bartimaeus, he had been there helpless for many years until Jesus passed by. The onus lies on believers to tell sinners about the Savior. Their business is to make their Master known as the Messiah and Savior of the world. The gospel should be preached to others because they cannot call on Him whom they have not heard about: and they cannot hear without preachers. The divine revelation must be made known to them before they can receive and call upon Him in prayer. And those who have heard must acknowledge their poor spiritual standing, confess and forsake their Sins in order to be saved (Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:9).
2. SINNERS’ RESPONSE AFTER ENCOUNTERING THE SAVIOUR
Mark 10:47-51: Hebrews 12:1; Romans 10:13; Hebrews 7:25; James 5:16; Matthew 11:28-30
“And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth. He began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David have mercy on me” (Mark 10:47). Bartimaeus was determined to attract the attention of Jesus as he heard that He was passing by, calling out loudly and addressing Him by His Messianic title, Son of David. He cried out for mercy, and “Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called…”. The people around him who had discouraged him at first, now signified to him the gracious call of Christ. They said, “…Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee”. The great invitation Christ gives every sinner to come to Him is a huge encouragement and hope. Let the guilty, the empty and tempted be of good comfort for Christ calls them to be pardoned. He said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). In coming to Christ for help, healing and other blessings, we should see Him as the promised Messiah and the Trustee of mercy and grace. We should promptly respond to Christ’s invitation in order to enjoy the blessings of the Kingdom. He calls the guilty, the tempted, the hungry and the naked to be of good comfort because He will pardon, succour, satisfy, clothe and have all their needs met. Blind Bartimaus, on hearing the call of Christ, did not hesitate to get to the Savior. “And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus” (Mark 10:50). He abandoned everything that might in any way hinder him or retard his movement to Christ. A person who would come to Jesus must cast away the garment of his own sufficiency and self-deceit, free himself from every weight and sin that most easily beset him. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us in with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). There are vital lessons from this text in relation to a sinner coming to Christ for salvation as well as a believer who wants to receive from the Lord. One, there must be importunity and fervency: “…but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me” (Mark 10:48). Two, there must be exercise and expression of faith in the power of Jesus to save to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25). Three, faith and fervent prayer attract the Savior’s compassion. “And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole…” (Mark 10:52).
3. A SEEKER’S POST-ENCOUNTER WITH THE SAVIOUR
Mark 10:52: 1 Peter 2:21; Matthew 8:22; 16:24; Mark 10:21; John 8:12
“…And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way”. The resolution of blind Bartimacus to follow Jesus after his healing is instructive. In a sense, he joined the multitude, and went after Christ partly to express his gratitude for a wonderful favor and partly to be a witness of the power of His deity and the truth of His Messiahship. He became His disciple, embraced His doctrines, believed Him as the Messiah, and submitted to His ordinances. This should be the effect of salvation wrought in our lives. Mercy is effective when it brings forth in our hearts glory and praise to God and engages us to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not enough to come to Christ for spiritual healing; but when we are healed, we must continue to follow and receive instructions from Him. As recipients of God’s mercy, believers should be attracted to the Savior and follow Him. Being enlightened by Christ, they should follow Him as their Leader and Commander, Captain of their salvation, Shepherd of the flock, Guide and Forerunner, and as the Light of the world. Following Him is safe, honorable, pleasant, comfortable and profitable in life and after life. We must follow Christ all the way. In conclusion, the case of blind Bartimaeus throws up the following lessons:
One, people are blinded by Sin; they do not by nature see the truth.
Two, it is proper in this state of blindness to call upon Jesus as the fountain of light. “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Those in darkness are to seek Him.
Three, when people rebuke or laugh at us, it should not deter us from calling on the Savior.
Four, the persevering cry of those who seek the Savior aright will not be in vain. Jesus never turned away any that had ever called on Him. “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).
Five, sinners must come to Jesus and cast themselves at His feet, casting away everything that obstructs their progress.
Six, faith is the only channel through which we shall receive mercy (Hebrews 11:6).
Seven, those who are thus restored to sight, should follow Jesus. They should follow Him wherever He leads. He that can give sight to the blind cannot lead His followers astray. We should follow the Lord Jesus Christ all the way.
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW:
- What should be a believer’s attitude to the less- privileged?
- How is a sinner likened to the blind?
- What is the duty of believers to sinners?
- What must a sinner do to come to Christ in relation to the case of Bartimaeus?
- What can we learn from the way blind Bartimaus cried to the Saviour?
- What should a recipient of God’s mercy do in gratitude to the Lord?
- Why should the gospel be preached to sinners?