“Giving Sight to the Blind” Mark 10:46-52 10/05/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles

“Giving Sight to the Blind” 46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. (Mark 10:46)

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

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

“Giving Sight to the Blind” 49 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. (Mark 10:49-50)

“Giving Sight to the Blind” 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (Mark 10:51-52)

“Giving Sight to the Blind” Introduction Imagine a large room filled with people in total darkness. What would life be like? Everywhere you look you see spiritual blindness.

“Giving Sight to the Blind” In the dark, a lot of unpredictable things happen. God created the world full of light, gave us eyes to see; no blindness at all.

“Giving Sight to the Blind” It’s not the way God designed it, but it’s the path we have chosen. According to Mark, when Jesus was on his way to Jericho huge crowds formed. The blind man wasn’t stupid. “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

“Giving Sight to the Blind” This is the moment in which his faith blossomed. 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:48)

“Giving Sight to the Blind” The blind man did TWO THINGS RIGHT: He shouted. “shhhh be quiet, don’t bother the Master.” What hope did he have without Jesus?

“Giving Sight to the Blind” You just can’t help but become a little insensitive. Jesus shows that spiritual blindness is far worse than having eyes that can’t see? In fact, most people deny their blindness.

“Giving Sight to the Blind” We have to admit we have a need. A story about a Mr. Jones.

“Giving Sight to the Blind” 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matt 7:7) The first thing that the blind man did right was to shout.

“Giving Sight to the Blind” The blind man shouted to Jesus. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47) Faith in the wrong thing is ineffective and disastrous.

“Giving Sight to the Blind” Jesus, the Son of David, really is the Messiah of Jewish expectation. Jesus is WORTHY of our faith so we need to shout to him.

“Giving Sight to the Blind” Conclusion The same thing that happened to Bartimaeus is happening to you and me. “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”

“Giving Sight to the Blind” Mark 10:46-52 10/05/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles