Do You See? - Mark 10:46-52
Notes
Transcript
There is none so blind as he who will not see, none so deaf as those who will not hear.
This saying seems to go back to the 1500s to English author John Heywood, a man famous for his poems and collections of proverbs.
The proverb appears to be adapted from biblical texts Jeremiah 5:21 ““Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not.”
Or perhaps Isaiah 6:9 “And he said, “Go, and say to this people: “ ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’”
I’m sure we’ve all witnessed individual who clearly had problem in their lives, but they were somehow blind that it was their own poor life choices that got them into that mess in the first place. Perhaps its our natural proclivity to pass the buck and seek to lay the blame elsewhere, a tactic that goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden, we all want to play the victim, but the tendency to be willfully ignorant and blind carries on.
Peter speaks of the scoffers who willfully overlook obvious information as they scoff about the Return of the Lord in 2 Pet 3.
The theme of willful blindness and willful ignorance is prevalent throughout Scripture.
Even in our Gospel of Mark we have found the concept of spiritual blindness to be a common metaphor as Jesus seeks to help His disciples see. We saw back in chapter 8 there was a two stage healing of a blind man, which was designed to show that Jesus was going to help the disciples see, but it would be a process for them. And so far....they don’t seem to be getting it. Since that healing, that living parable, the disciples have been seen arguing over who was the greatest among them and asking Jesus to grant them the two best seats in the kingdom.
Hardly the approach that those with spiritual insight should be taking as Jesus teaches them about his death, the nature of discipleship and service, and as they walk the road to Jerusalem where Jesus is to be crucified. They still aren’t quite seeing just yet.
So perhaps it should be of no surprise to us that in the passage we will study today, we find a man by the name of Bartimaeus, who happens to be physically blind, and yet....he seems to have the greatest perception of anyone in the book. Though he does not see, he is the only one who seems to see clearly.
How does he approach Jesus? Though he is blind, he sees Him as the Messiah, as his own hope, and he sees this by faith.
Let’s read our text.
And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 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!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem, and this is the last stop on the way.
There a few things to note by way of setting the context for us to help us as we look at this passage.
This is the last of Jesus’ healing miracles in the book of Mark. After this, no more healings. It seems appropriate that His final healing is a sight restoration as though to remind us of what it takes to truly see.
Inclusio. I’ve mentioned the two stage healing of a blind man back in chapter 8. That passage and this one brackets chapters 8-10 as the last section in the Gospel before Jesus enters Jerusalem. In this section we have seen Jesus confront not only the religious leaders and their blindness, but all the blindness of his own disciples.
They have a fundamental failure to see. Jesus has done all this teaching, and they still will not see because they are so self-absorbed.
This being the last section before Jesus enters the Jerusalem, the rest of the book escalates toward his death, burial, and resurrection.
The next passage picks up the theme of Jesus being the Davidic Messiah, but that message will ultimately be rejected by the people of Jerusalem.
This miracle is once again a fitting capstone on the miracle of Jesus. It’s a sight recovery miracle with a confession that He is the Davidic Messiah. This encapsulates the main thrusts of Jesus Ministry: He has come to give life and light. He has come as the Messiah.
Let’s start working through the text.
They are traveling toward Jerusalem and come through Jericho.
Jesus has his customary large crowd accompanying him.
As they come out the other side, here sits Bartimaeus, son of Timaues.
This is the only recipient of a miracle that is identified by name by Mark, which may be an indication that Bartimaeus was known by the church to whom Mark wrote.
There are three key things about Bartimaeus’ interaction with Jesus that reveal that though he may have been physically blind, he was the most spiritually perceptive individual we have seen in this Gospel for quite some time.
First, look at verse 47. He calls out to Jesus and says “Jesus, Son of David.”
This is a critical confession that we would be foolish to overlook. Bartimaeus is not just saying random words here. He is identifying Jesus as the long-awaited Messianic King.
Though he was blind, he could see well enough to know that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.
Those who would see must see Jesus as the Messiah
Those who would see must see Jesus as the Messiah
God made a covenant with David that His throne would be established forever.
And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”
This Davdic covenant established a messianic hope that there would one day come a king from the line of David who would rule in perfect justice.
The fact of the Messiah coming from David’s line is picked up by several of the latter prophets as they connect the messiah to the Davidic covenant.
Consider Is 9:2-7
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
As Bartimaeus hears Jesus coming and as he calls out ot him, he recognizes him as the one to whom this prophecy refers. Yes! The Messiah! The coming one! The one who will sit on David’s throne. He is here! The promise that he will accomplish justice.
Of that Messianic figure, Solomon wrote in Ps 72:12-13
For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.
Bartimaeus sees Jesus as the one! This is it. This is he! He has come!
This confession is not just a confession of hope of physical restoration, but a declaration that Jesus is the rightful ruler of Israel, that Jesus is the King of kings.
Bartimaeus is blind. But Bartimaeus can already see.
He sees what so few have been able to see. He knows who Jesus is.
It is true that Peter has already confessed that Jesus is the Messiah, but he was immediately rebuked a few verses later for his failure to understand Christ’s purpose.
Here Bartimaeus not only confession the Messiahship of Christ, but his rightful title as the promised Son of David. He is the King.
Sadly, the majority of the Jew have rejected Jesus as their Messiah. If they are to see, if they are to be saved, they must come to a place where they embrace Jesus as the Messiah.
The conflict in Israel has brought about a lot of discussion about the nature of the state of Israel, and the role that they play in the last days. I do firmly believe that ethnic Israel remains God’s chosen people. I firmly believe that as a people group, by and large, they have rejected their messiah. I firmly believe that the only hope of salvation for any Jew is through Jesus Christ and embracing Him as THE Messiah.
And I firmly believe that there is coming a day when the Lord will pour out his mercy upon Israel, and though there will be great tribulation on the earth, God will fully restore Israel, she will possess the land, Romans 11 is clear that all Israel will be saved.
But that happens through the embrace of Jesus as the Messiah. This is important to note, because some have accused people like us who see a distinction between Israel and the church, as believing that Israel has a pathway of salvation outside of Jesus Christ.
We do not believe that. Jesus is the only means of salvation. We do affirm the promises of God that one day they will look on Him whom they have pierced and will weep. They will mourn their own rejection and treatment of Christ. And they will finally embrace Him as the Messiah.
This is important not only for Jews, but for gentile believers as well. Who is Jesus Christ? He is the Davidic King. Embracing him as such recognizes his authority over all.
Son of David was not the only designation.
Those who would see must see Jesus as their only hope
Those who would see must see Jesus as their only hope
Have Mercy on me.
Bartimaeus saw Jesus as His only hope.
Following Jesus is an exclusive pathway. There are many who view all the world’s religions as different roads to the same destination. But Jesus Christ could not have been clearer.
I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other anme under heaven, given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 .
There are many other verse that point to the exclusivity of the Gospel.
Jesus Christ is our only hope. No one else has the power to save. No one else has the power to heal. No one else has the power to forgive. No one else can calm the storm, multiple food, rule and reign in perfect righteousness, justice, and truth.
Bartimaeus called out to Jesus for mercy, because only Jesus could provide that mercy!
to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.
It is interesting to note that some in this text were seeking to dissuade Bartimaeus from speaking up. Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, certainly would not have been thought highly of by society.
He certainly would not have been considered worthy of Jesus’ time, never mind the fact that a significant portion of Jesus’ ministry has been to people just like him.
But they seek to push him away.
I shudder at the thought of being in their shoes on the day of judgment.
Lord, keep me from being being a hindrance to anyone from coming after Jesus.
We also see the kindness of Jesus to stop and call him. We have seen the kindness and compassion of Jesus at various points along the way. We see it again here. The every time someone actively tries to prevent access to Jesus, Jesus sees to it that they can come.
Jesus calls out to him, and he enthusiastically leaps up and comes to Jesus.
In verse 51 Jesus asks “What do you want me to do for you?”
and the reply: Rabbi, let me recover my sight.
The word used here for Rabbi is actually Rabbouni, which is how the NASB translates it. It is a heightened form of “Rabbi” and carries the idea not only of teacher, but master and Lord.
Jesus response? Go your way, your faith has made you well.
Those who would see must see Jesus by faith
Those who would see must see Jesus by faith
The theme of faith carries on in this Gospel. Jesus grants him sight because of his faith.
Those who would see must see Jesus by faith.
Throughout this Gospel there has been a contrast between those who see and those who do not. Those who have faith and those who do not.
Poor blind beggar Bartimaeus. Though he was blind, he seems to have seen the most clearly. He sees that Jesus is the Davidic Messiah. He sees that Jesus is his only hope. He sees Jesus by faith.
This is how we must all come to Jesus.
By grace are you saved through faith, not of yourselves or your own doing, but it is the gift of God, not a result of Works. Eph 2:8-9.
Salvation is a gift of God’s grace that we receive through faith.
So often when we read passages like this we nod our heads and say yes, Salvation is by grace.
But then when it comes to our own personal sanctification we have a tendency to say, thanks for the salvation, Jesus, I’ll take it from here.
We at need to be reminded of Paul’s words to the Galatians, “Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” Gal 3:3.
The Messiahship of Jesus is for our santification as well as our salvation.
Looking unto Jesus as our only hope is for our sanctification as well as our salvation.
Coming to Jesus in faith is for our santification as well as our salvation.
We don’t graduate from needing to rest in Christ by faith.
We don’t graduate from needing to see the authority of the Messianic King of kings.
We don’t greaduate from needing to see Jesus as our only hope!
You cannot live the Christian life on your own! You need to continue to trust and rest in Jesus.
And it seems that is exactly what Bartimaeus did. Let’s not miss the conclusion to this episode:
Vs 52:
And immediately he recoved his sight and followed him on the way.
Bartimaeus followed Jesus. He became his disciple. Even on the road to Jerusalem, he followed.
Do you see? Are you ready to follow him?
This road to Jerusalem leads Jesus Christ to the cross where he will die and give his life as a ransom for many, as he predicted in vs 45.
It is only through faith and continual resting in Him