One KC, Part 1: - Mark 10:46-52
Mark 10:46-47, Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
In the eyes of the world, this blind beggar did not even have enough value and worth to be given a name. Bartimaeus literally means “the son of Timaeus.” His parents never even bothered naming him. Bartimaeus is a picture of us all – born blind, spiritually and in poverty, eternally.
God sees and saves anyone who will call upon His name! What matters most is not that Bartimaeus didn’t have a name, it’s that He knew Jesus’ name! Romans 10:13, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Mark 10:47-49, And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”
In the middle of the crowd, Jesus found the ONE. And a someone others thought was a “no one” became the ONE. In the middle of the thousands, Bartimaeus became Jesus’ “one” because Bartimaeus confessed Jesus as the “anointed one.”
Jesus values people others don’t; He sees people others won’t. While others told Bartimaeus to be “unseen” and “unheard,” Jesus both saw him and heard him. When you call on His name, He’ll call yours.
Mark 10:49-52, So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.
Bartimaeus knew both what he needed and what he wanted. Jesus healed him spiritually and opened his eyes physically. What Bartimaeus needed was God’s mercy; what he wanted was to see. Jesus gave Him both.
Three things Jesus calls us all to do…
- Cheer up! Mark 10:49, “Be of good cheer...”
Happiness focuses on happenings, but joy focuses on Jesus.
Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
- Rise up! Mark 10:49, “Rise, He is calling you.”
The agony of a crucifixion precedes the joy of a resurrection.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10, “We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed – always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
- Step up! Mark 10:52, “And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.”
Today Jesus is calling you to take your next step to follow Him.