Blind Bartimaeus

Joke:  A man with a German Shepherd goes into a pub and sits down at the bar. The bartender says “Sorry, you can’t bring that dog in here.” The man replies “But this is a seeing eye dog!” The bartender then says “Well, okay then, I guess it can stay”.

After a while, the man and the German Shepherd get up to leave. As they’re going out the door, another man with a Chihuahua is coming in. The first man says “The bartender won’t like you bringing that dog in here, but just tell him it’s a seeing eye dog and then it’ll be okay”. The second man looks dubiously at his tiny Chihuahua, thinks a few seconds, then thanks the first man and goes on in. The bartender says “Hey! You can’t bring that Chihuahua in here!” The man stares straight ahead and exclaims “What? They sold me a Chihuahua?!”

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Today I want to share a story found in Mark chapter 10, it’s a story of a guy alongside the road named Blind Bartimaeus. And you know, the thing about this story that’s so captivating is the fact that it represents an individual who’d been kind of pushed aside by the rest of the people who had been passed by him so many times.

And maybe you find yourself feeling like maybe some opportunities have passed you by, some relationships have moved on without you, or maybe you just feel like, because of how others have miss treated you, or because of the things you’ve done that your just damaged goods, and not good enough.

And so you sit watching as people go by and continue to do great things.

Today though, out of God’s Word you’re going to speak the truth over your life, and we are going to find that you’re actually exactly where you need to be to do something very special and see that God’s wanting to do through and in you great things as we study the story of Blind Bartimaeus out of Mark 10.

It talks about Jesus stopping along the side of the road for someone. Now, that doesn’t seem to happen much today. We don’t typically stop for folks on the side of the road,  and certainly not hitchhikers.  And you definitely don’t pick them up.

But here’s the thing, when we’re operating in the course and the context of our lives, all the sudden God can sometimes redirect and interrupt our plans.

And it’s interesting how God many times works most in those interruptions.

And the story that we will look at today out of Mark 10, you could say is almost an interruption.

An interruption in what?  Well, Jesus was leaving Jericho headed to Jerusalem.  And the reason He was headed to Jerusalem at this time was for Passover.

And this would be the last Passover meal, the one known in the scriptures as the Last Supper that He would have before He was betrayed by one of His own, Judas.   After that betrayal He would be arrested, falsely accused, beaten, and ultimately crucified.

That’s where He was headed.

So you could say He was at the pinnacle of His mission, where He was going, but God, for a moment, redirects one of His steps.

Proverbs 16:9 (NIV): In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

And we will see that play out today as we look at Mark 10, starting with verse 46.

Mark 10:46 (NIV): Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging.

Let me pause here for a moment  I find it interesting  that so often in the scriptures, people who were referenced, if you were a beggar or you were blind or lame or a leper, and so many other things, you were simply known as that. You were not named by  name, but by your disability or problem.

So, it’s very interesting that he was actually called by name, Bartimaeus, Son of Timaeus, which begs an interesting question, at least a thought of, why?

Maybe it was, his parents had all these dreams and aspirations for what he could do when their little boy drew up, but then Bartimaeus was born, and well, he was blind.

And in that culture, all the sudden that makes you damaged goods. He’s going be, well, not what we fully intended or hoped or dreamed of him to be, and so he’s a disappointment.

And maybe you can relate, maybe you feel sometimes like you’re a disappointment, a disappointment to your parents, to a friend or relative.  Could be anybody.

And you find yourself struggling to find your value, because when you feel like you’ve let people down, you begin to devalue yourself.

So we begin to look for value in a lot of different places.   We begin to think, if I were a VP or a CEO, then I’d be good.  Or maybe it’s a combination of letters after your name, like MD or PHD or something as simple as MRS. or mom.

And we begin to think, if I just arrive at this place, then I’ll have value.

Sometimes we think it’s in what we have, it’s in our material possessions. If you’ve got the brand new phone, then you’re somebody. If you wear these types of clothes, have this kind of house, drive that car, the list could go on and on but then, then I’ll have value.

Value, it’s an interesting thing. And the only thing that we can actually truly find value in is what God says about us in His Word, which we will talk more about in just a second.

Value is an important part of this story. Verse 47, continuing on, he said. . .

Mark 10:47 (NIV): When he heard. . .say that with me, when he heard

This is an important piece of our story.

Mark 10:47 (NIV): When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Heard, why is it important?  Because, understand Bartimaeus was blind. He couldn’t see, you get that, but he could hear.

And here’s the thing church, all to often we  focus so much on what we don’t have instead of what we do have.

I don’t have and I don’t do and I don’t and I just wish, one day, maybe.

Well, what do you have? You see, because Bartimaeus, he couldn’t see, but he sure enough could hear, and when he did, he acted.

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.

Don’t focus so much on what you don’t have that you forget what you do have.

The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12. . .

Romans 12:6–8 (NLT): In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Paul is writing telling us that you have gifts, they may be different from somebody else’s, but they are gifts just the same.  Don’t be so caught up in what you think your lacking, use the gift you have well.

Romans 9:20–21 (TPT): But who do you think you are to second-guess God? How could a human being molded out of clay say to the one who molded him, “Why in the world did you make me this way?” 21 Or are you denying the right of the potter to make out of clay whatever he wants? Doesn’t the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay an elegant vase or an ordinary pot?

That’s the beauty of being part of the body of Christ.   We have different gifts, different talents, different resources that God utilizes and works together to form a tapestry of beautiful work of God’s people to bring Him glory. What do you have?

A potter will sometimes have an air bubble in the clay I they just  need to just start over so they spin the wheel and begin again.   A glass blower may begin making one thing but if there is impurity in the glass or something goes wrong they can’t just start over with the same piece of glass what do they do they make something completely different yet still incredibly beautiful.

And here’s the truth church, the same thing is true about you, but the difference is you think about your crack and what’s happened and not about who you’ve actually become and what God has done. You’ve become so focused on what happened that you can’t see what is.

It’s like I’m going be a vase.  You know what, we’re going to get married. It’ll be great, we’re planning on having two kids and a dog and a white picket fence. But then all of a sudden your marriage begins to fall apart and crack, it’s never going be the same now. I’m never going be a vase so. . .

Or, it’s you know what, I’m going to start a business, I’m going do this or that, I’m going move up in this company, I’m going be successful, and everything’s going great, and then all the sudden everything fell apart and bankruptcy hit and your value just went crack!

Or maybe it’s, you know what, I’ve been clean for two years and everything is going great. And then this scenario and my old friends and all this and then crack!

You see, we get so focused on what has happened and we begin to have our sense of worth and value in that fracture that we don’t see the fact that all along God is taking all things and He’s working them out for our good, when you’re called according to His purpose, that’s what the scripture says.

And He begins to take all those things, the cracks, and He forms something new.  And maybe you won’t. be a vase.   But here’s what I know you’re actually going be something much better, you just don’t know yet what that looks like yet.

And then people look on and they’re like, look at who you are and what God’s done and how He’s used your story, and what’s happened? It’s beautiful, but you just see a crack.

And today, you have eyes to see, but you’re not the sum total of a past fracture in your life, you’re something special.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT): For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Don’t focus so much on what you don’t have that you forget what you do have.

Let’s continue with Bartimaeus verse 48. . .

Mark 10:48 (NIV): Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Isn’t that so on target.   Have you ever noticed that when you decide to take a step especially around those that don’t like that step those discouragers find their way to try and stop you from moving forward.

As the saying goes, “the haters are gonna hate.”

And they are going to tell you all the reasons why you can’t.  Why you can’t finish college. I had a pastor I know tell one of the people that attended his church that he could never be used in a ministry of some sort.

And church it’s important to understand Jesus was in transit. He was not stopping. Alright, Bartimaeus, I’m going to just hang out right here until you figure it out. I’m not going anywhere, I’m not going to Jerusalem.  Everybody just take a break we’re going to wait on Bartimaeus. That’s not how it happens.

He was going to Jerusalem, and Bartimaeus seized an opportunity.

And hear this church, there are opportunities that pass by you, that come by you, and it is time, not to worry about what you don’t have, but to seize the moment that God has set in front of you.   Don’t worry about what the nay sayers might be yelling out you shout all the louder Jesus, son of David have mercy on me.

Don’t worry about what you don’t have, look at what you do have.

Matthew 14:15–21 (NIV): As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Exodus 4:1–5 (NIV): Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” 2 Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. 3 The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. 5 “This,” said the Lord, “is so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.”

Let’s get back to our story verse 49. . .

Mark 10:49–50 (NIV): Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

I love this two quick points first the same ones that was trying to hush blind Bartimaeus is now the same folks telling him to cheer up and get on your feet.  The same ones that were discouraging him and telling him to pipe down are now delivering him to Jesus.

Point number two.  He threw his cloak aside.  That cloak identified him as a beggar.  He just believed he was no longer in need of what he was because he was about to have something new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV): Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

So they lead him up to Jesus. And understand, in the context of this, I love the fact that you don’t have to have sight to be seen.

Jesus saw Bartimaeus. And because Bartimaeus heard, and didn’t get so caught up on the fact that he was just blind and he couldn’t see he found out that Jesus coming by.

He’s thinking I’ve heard about Him, I’ve heard about Him healing blind folks before, and I’m blind and I want to see. And so Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. I don’t care that they’re yelling at me to be quiet and to stop talking, I’m going to get even louder.

Because this is my opportunity and I will not let it pass by this time. And he continued to yell all the more.

And Jesus sees Bartimaeus, calls him to Him, and then, I love this, verse 51. . .

Mark 10:51 (NIV): 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

And here’s the thing, when we look at that, it seems like a really obvious question. Like, there’s a blind guy in front of you, he probably wants to see.   But here’s the thing Scripture tells us. . .you have not because you ask not.

Bartimaeus could have asked for anything.   Jesus simply asks what do you want?

And church He’s asking you and I the same.   What do you want me to do for you?

And for some of you, you want your marriage healed, maybe you want deliverance from an addiction.  Maybe you want to see your kids on fire for the Lord.   Maybe if Jesus was standing right in front of you asking that question you would ask for a sense of purpose and meaning.

Bartimaeus said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” That word in Greek is Rabboni, which means my Master, my Savior. You see, before he’d been saying, Jesus, Son of David.

And that was a simply a Messianic title given to Jesus that everyone who knew of Him knew.   But this was different. This word is very different. It’s only uttered one other time in the gospel accounts by anyone, and it was Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb when she had seen the risen Christ. And she said, “Rabboni,” my Master.

When Bartimaeus says this, it’s personal. It’s my Master, my Lord, I wanna see. Maybe, perhaps Bartimaeus, even in his blind state could see better than many of us today.

Rabboni, my Master. When you understand who you are in Christ and what you can be, you operate and you function very different.

You find a sense of value that comes from somewhere else. My Master. Jesus then says to him, “Go, your faith has healed you.” Immediately he receives his sight.

Could you imagine having been standing around there when that occurred? And then he followed Jesus along the road, it says.

Some of you today, that’s what’s going to happen. You’re seeing something different, you’re feeling something different, and that is God’s Word being illuminated inside of your heart.

Your moving from Son of David to Rabboni, my Master. I need you, I need to have my life, my marriage, my sight, my vision restored. I need your forgiveness, and that is what’s happening in this very moment inside of you.

Value is an important proposition. Where do things get their value? It’s very simple, I’ll explain it like this. This bottle of water, how much is it worth? How much would you give me for this glass of water?

A dollar.

A dollar, that’s pretty good. I got a dollar, anybody else? Do I hear $2 anywhere else? Anybody got $2, in the back, I got $2 over here in the back, anybody else?

So what if you were dehydrating and there was no more water except this?  Now it’s worth a lot more. What if it was your child dehydrating? Now you’re plunking over some money for this bottle of water. You see, the value of an object is simply what someone is willing to pay for it. That’s it.

That being true, you’re pretty valuable. Because you were worth the price of Christ’s blood upon the cross as a sacrifice for your sin and my sin so that we could be made right.

You don’t have to have sight to be seen, and when you’ve been seen by Jesus, you’ll never be the same. Go, your faith, Rabboni, my Master, has made you well.

You are created in Christ Jesus to do good works. You’re not a sum total of the past mistakes and the cracks, because the beauty is just as the potter reshaped the clay to get out the air bubbles or the glassblower cut away all those cracks and formed something new, Jesus forgives us of our sin and creates something very special, a masterpiece, a work of art.

Oh, maybe its not what you thought it was going be, but it’s actually something better. Better than new, as the scripture would say. In Him created to do good works, which He has prepared in advance for you to do.

May we find that our value is in who God says we are, not in what others say. And in that we will operate and live a life of abundance in who God has called and created us to be.

Prayer