Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. - Matthew 16:24
Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Jerusalem for the Passover. Jesus foreknew that He would be arrested, tried, and crucified while He was there. He had already warned His apostles that these things were going to happen, and they were a bit uneasy about it. Before reaching the City of David they passed through Jericho, which is where today’s sermon is set.
The message this morning is titled “Blind Bartimaeus”. It is the 5th specific occasion in the Bible of Jesus healing a blind person (or persons). We have studied about Jesus healing a demon-possessed blind mute, a pair of blind men, a blind man in Bethsaida, and a man who was born blind in Jerusalem. Besides these, there are several general accounts of Jesus healing the blind. This miracle is recorded in all 3 synoptic gospels, and I encourage you to read and compare each account. That said, we will use Mark as our primary text this morning.
I. A BEGGAR’S CRY (Mark 10:46-48; Matthew 20:29-31; Luke 18:35-39)
As Jesus, His disciples, and many followers left Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus who was sitting beside the road cried out loudly. He pleaded for Jesus to have mercy on him, but the crowd sternly warned him to keep quiet. Ignoring them, Bartimaeus cried out all the more.
According to Matthew and Mark, Bartimaeus met Jesus as He was leaving Jericho. On the contrary, Luke records that Jesus was approaching, or entering Jericho, when He encountered Bartimaeus. So which was it? Is this an error in the Bible? No, it isn’t. Historians and archeologists have confirmed that there were actually 2 “Jerichos” located side-by-side - the old city and ruins, which we read about in the Old Testament, and the new city which was built by King Herod just before the beginning of the New Testament, which Jesus would have been familiar with. Therefore, it is possible that Jesus met Bartimaeus while passing between the 2 cities, having just left old Jericho and approaching new Jericho. This would explain the apparent contradiction.
Mark and Luke only mention 1 blind beggar, but Matthew states there were actually 2. This apparent discrepancy can also be easily reconciled. Perhaps Bartimaeus was more well known and outspoken, while his companion was quieter and more anonymous, leading to his omission. We saw this same description in the story of the demoniac of Geresene, which we studied earlier in this series. Mark and Luke only mentioned 1 man while Matthew wrote that there were 2 demon-possessed men. It should be noted that Matthew was actually there in person when these events happened, while Mark and Luke wrote based on the testimony of others.
II. A BEGGAR’S EXCITEMENT (Mark 10:49-50; Matthew 20:32a; Luke 18:40)
Jesus stopped when He heard Bartimaeus calling out for Him. He asked the people to bring him near. They told Bartimaeus to take courage, get up, and go. He was so excited that he threw off his outer garment (or cloak), jumped up, and hurried to Jesus.
When I picture this scene in my mind, I like to imagine the hopeful excitement that Bartimaeus must have felt. He was thrilled to meet with Jesus. Even when the crowds tried to silence him, he wouldn’t hush. Bartimaeus is a great example for Christians today. We shouldn’t allow the culture to prevent us from seeking and praising Jesus. Furthermore, when we do approach Jesus, we should be filled with joyful and eager anticipation.
Some commentators have suggested that the cloak Bartimaeus threw off represented his old way of life. He took it off and cast it away, and notably never went back to pick it up. He trusted that Jesus was about to make him new. He didn’t need it anymore. When a lost sinner trusts Christ for salvation, they leave their old self behind and become a new creation in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17).
III. A BEGGAR’S HEALING (Mark 10:51-52; Matthew 20:32b-34; Luke 18:41-43)
Jesus asked Bartimaeus what he wanted Jesus to do for him. He answered, “I want to regain my sight!” According to Matthew’s gospel, Jesus reached out and touched his (their) eyes. Immediately Bartimaeus could see. Jesus said, “Go. Your faith has saved you.” Bartimaeus began following Him down the road, glorifying God as he went.
I sometimes wonder how far Bartimaeus followed Jesus. Did he go with Him all the way to Jerusalem? Was he somewhere in the procession as Jesus entered the city riding on a donkey? Did Bartimaeus follow Jesus to the temple to hear Him preach and see Him drive out the money changers? Did he follow Jesus to the cross? I don’t know, but I will say this. When you meet Jesus, don’t walk away. Be like Bartimaeus… follow Him.
This is another example of a healing miracle. Although Jesus spoke, it seems to me that He actually healed Bartimaeus by touching his eyes. Many of those present, mostly notably Bartimaeus himself, began glorifying God. Jesus had again revealed His identity as the Christ and many believed.
CONCLUSION
We will conclude today’s sermon with a brief quiz to review the miracles we’ve discussed over the past few months. Don’t worry. It’s not that hard, and even if you don’t do well on it you can still come back next Sunday. Are you ready?
1. How many men did Jesus feed with just a few loves and fish? (5,000, 4,000, or both)
2. Which of these miracles took place in Jerusalem? (A Demon-Possessed Girl, A Deaf Mute, A Man Born Blind)
3. Which of these was a natural miracle? (A Coin in a Fish’s Mouth, A Man with Dropsy, The 10 Lepers)
4. Which of these miracles involved Jesus’ close friend? (A Blind Man in Bethsaida, Lazarus, A Disabled Woman)
5. In which of these did Jesus allow Peter to do something miraculous? (Blind Bartimaeus, A Convulsing Boy, Walking on the Water)
Alright. How did you do? Beloved, there are only 2 sermons left in this series. Next Sunday we will discuss several miracles that Jesus performed during the “Passion Week”, just a few days before His arrest and crucifixion. I hope you will join us. Until then, let me encourage you to follow Jesus.
Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Jerusalem for the Passover. Jesus foreknew that He would be arrested, tried, and crucified while He was there. He had already warned His apostles that these things were going to happen, and they were a bit uneasy about it. Before reaching the City of David they passed through Jericho, which is where today’s sermon is set.
The message this morning is titled “Blind Bartimaeus”. It is the 5th specific occasion in the Bible of Jesus healing a blind person (or persons). We have studied about Jesus healing a demon-possessed blind mute, a pair of blind men, a blind man in Bethsaida, and a man who was born blind in Jerusalem. Besides these, there are several general accounts of Jesus healing the blind. This miracle is recorded in all 3 synoptic gospels, and I encourage you to read and compare each account. That said, we will use Mark as our primary text this morning.
I. A BEGGAR’S CRY (Mark 10:46-48; Matthew 20:29-31; Luke 18:35-39)
As Jesus, His disciples, and many followers left Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus who was sitting beside the road cried out loudly. He pleaded for Jesus to have mercy on him, but the crowd sternly warned him to keep quiet. Ignoring them, Bartimaeus cried out all the more.
According to Matthew and Mark, Bartimaeus met Jesus as He was leaving Jericho. On the contrary, Luke records that Jesus was approaching, or entering Jericho, when He encountered Bartimaeus. So which was it? Is this an error in the Bible? No, it isn’t. Historians and archeologists have confirmed that there were actually 2 “Jerichos” located side-by-side - the old city and ruins, which we read about in the Old Testament, and the new city which was built by King Herod just before the beginning of the New Testament, which Jesus would have been familiar with. Therefore, it is possible that Jesus met Bartimaeus while passing between the 2 cities, having just left old Jericho and approaching new Jericho. This would explain the apparent contradiction.
Mark and Luke only mention 1 blind beggar, but Matthew states there were actually 2. This apparent discrepancy can also be easily reconciled. Perhaps Bartimaeus was more well known and outspoken, while his companion was quieter and more anonymous, leading to his omission. We saw this same description in the story of the demoniac of Geresene, which we studied earlier in this series. Mark and Luke only mentioned 1 man while Matthew wrote that there were 2 demon-possessed men. It should be noted that Matthew was actually there in person when these events happened, while Mark and Luke wrote based on the testimony of others.
II. A BEGGAR’S EXCITEMENT (Mark 10:49-50; Matthew 20:32a; Luke 18:40)
Jesus stopped when He heard Bartimaeus calling out for Him. He asked the people to bring him near. They told Bartimaeus to take courage, get up, and go. He was so excited that he threw off his outer garment (or cloak), jumped up, and hurried to Jesus.
When I picture this scene in my mind, I like to imagine the hopeful excitement that Bartimaeus must have felt. He was thrilled to meet with Jesus. Even when the crowds tried to silence him, he wouldn’t hush. Bartimaeus is a great example for Christians today. We shouldn’t allow the culture to prevent us from seeking and praising Jesus. Furthermore, when we do approach Jesus, we should be filled with joyful and eager anticipation.
Some commentators have suggested that the cloak Bartimaeus threw off represented his old way of life. He took it off and cast it away, and notably never went back to pick it up. He trusted that Jesus was about to make him new. He didn’t need it anymore. When a lost sinner trusts Christ for salvation, they leave their old self behind and become a new creation in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17).
III. A BEGGAR’S HEALING (Mark 10:51-52; Matthew 20:32b-34; Luke 18:41-43)
Jesus asked Bartimaeus what he wanted Jesus to do for him. He answered, “I want to regain my sight!” According to Matthew’s gospel, Jesus reached out and touched his (their) eyes. Immediately Bartimaeus could see. Jesus said, “Go. Your faith has saved you.” Bartimaeus began following Him down the road, glorifying God as he went.
I sometimes wonder how far Bartimaeus followed Jesus. Did he go with Him all the way to Jerusalem? Was he somewhere in the procession as Jesus entered the city riding on a donkey? Did Bartimaeus follow Jesus to the temple to hear Him preach and see Him drive out the money changers? Did he follow Jesus to the cross? I don’t know, but I will say this. When you meet Jesus, don’t walk away. Be like Bartimaeus… follow Him.
This is another example of a healing miracle. Although Jesus spoke, it seems to me that He actually healed Bartimaeus by touching his eyes. Many of those present, mostly notably Bartimaeus himself, began glorifying God. Jesus had again revealed His identity as the Christ and many believed.
CONCLUSION
We will conclude today’s sermon with a brief quiz to review the miracles we’ve discussed over the past few months. Don’t worry. It’s not that hard, and even if you don’t do well on it you can still come back next Sunday. Are you ready?
1. How many men did Jesus feed with just a few loves and fish? (5,000, 4,000, or both)
2. Which of these miracles took place in Jerusalem? (A Demon-Possessed Girl, A Deaf Mute, A Man Born Blind)
3. Which of these was a natural miracle? (A Coin in a Fish’s Mouth, A Man with Dropsy, The 10 Lepers)
4. Which of these miracles involved Jesus’ close friend? (A Blind Man in Bethsaida, Lazarus, A Disabled Woman)
5. In which of these did Jesus allow Peter to do something miraculous? (Blind Bartimaeus, A Convulsing Boy, Walking on the Water)
Alright. How did you do? Beloved, there are only 2 sermons left in this series. Next Sunday we will discuss several miracles that Jesus performed during the “Passion Week”, just a few days before His arrest and crucifixion. I hope you will join us. Until then, let me encourage you to follow Jesus.