Take me out of the dark, My Lord.
(Mark 10:46-52) +(also Matthew 10 & Luke 18) --significant
Opening: Wife wish husband blinded (Her one eye only)
Mark 10:46-52 (Only blindman given a name)—What his name means? Bar (son of) Timaeus (Honor)
V.46 Sat by the roadside begging.
>Bartimaeus was a beggar. His life was all about begging, and people can give him food, pocket change,
garments but nothing will ever suffice of what he really needs. He needs his sight!
--As Christians, we think this world can give us what we need: material things, temporary happiness but little
do we know we need something the void. No matter what we have, it feels insufficient.
V.47 He was begging and he hears him coming!
>Bartimaues has been begging and must’ve heard people’s conversations every day…eavesdropping daily. He
must’ve heard about this Jesus who has cured hundreds of diseases and that gave him hope. He must’ve
hoped that one day he will pass.
--How are we like Bartimaeus in this sense? We may have heard others talk about their life-changing-faith you
wonder why hasn’t that experience come to you? We may be Christians by name but we feel we are blind
spiritually.
Eg. Peter was asked who Jesus is?
V.47 Son of David, have mercy on me!
>Why is this relevant? This speaks about His faith! He called him “Son of David” which means he believed
Jesus is the Messiah.
>He did not immediately ask for sight restoration, instead He asked for mercy at first. I think Bartimaeus can
clearly see more than the rest of the people around him. Asking for mercy, knowing that his sinfulness is not
worthy of his request that’s why he asked for it.
--Do we really believe that Jesus is our Savior? Or just because everyone is saying it? That’s why it is very
important to know him personally through the Bible and praying.
--Also Do we need mercy? When we ask something for the Lord, do we realize that our sinfulness makes us
unworthy but because of His mercy that is renewed every morning (Lam 3:22,23). We will not be here if not
for his grace and mercy.
V.48 Following Jesus involves hardship and difficulties.
>Bartimaues met his first challenge. The people told him to be quiet and stopped him from coming to Jesus.
The people might’ve been embarrassed of him, if they all highly following Jesus.
--Two points:
1. Don’t expect that it would be easy and smooth-sailing if you follow Jesus. (Lindburch story)
As Jesus mentioned in Matthew 24:13, it is with great tribulation that we will be saved.
2. The people stopped him from getting to Jesus. These people ironically are the same people who follow
Jesus! ---Sometimes in our walk with God, other Christians can hurt us and make us stumble.
I.e. I like your Christ, but I don’t like your Christians, because your christians are unlike your Christ.”
ILLUS: Walking with a cup full of water around the church.
V.48 Giving up is never an option.
>The more the people asked him to be quiet the more he shouted to Jesus. He did not get fazed with the
crowd silencing him, the only thing that mattered was he get Jesus’ attention. –Perseverance.
--As Christians we should persistently call on to God, daily asking for His mercy and grace because without him
we can do nothing (John 15:5) and Paul reminds us to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:16)
V.49 Persistence pays of: Jesus said come!
>Jesus heard this voice of persistence amidst the noise and asked him to come. This must’ve been a feeling of
elation. He will finally get that healing that he has been longing all these years.
--Doesn’t Jesus tell us to come to Him? Where do we go when we need him? Do we make him the last resort?
Or do we come to him each time we are troubled and burdened? Come to me all you (Matt.11:28-30)
ILLUS: Yoke pulled by two oxen.
V.50 Let go of anything that hinders you coming to Jesus.
>Why did Mark include this verse? What’s the importance? Bartimaeus was a blind beggar and that could only
be his only possession. He did not let anything stop him from going to Jesus, maybe it was heavy or he might
trip. The only possession he had; he threw away just to get to Jesus.
--As a Christian, is money bad? We use money to build church, to support missionaries and ministries. Jesus
wants us to be blessed so we can bless others, it’s the LOVE of money and possession that is bad (1 Tim. 6:10)
So it’s not just money but anything that can stop us from coming to Jesus.
ILLUS: Rich young ruler.
__Camel cannot go through the eye of the needle.
As Hebrews 12:1 told us, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us
lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is
set before us.”
V.51 His request made audible
>This was the moment but why did Jesus ask him what he wants? Doesn’t he know that Bartimaeus is blind?
--Jesus wants him to say it to fully realize and surrender that he cannot do anything except what Jesus can do.
By saying it, we are consciously admitting it. Also, it is more personal for us when we tell it to God.
ILLUS: Papa wants me to tell him what I want because he wants that relationship.
--Also, Jesus wants him to verbalize his faith, he could’ve been embarrassed by the hundreds of eyes watching
the scene but Jesus wants him to show his faith by saying it. We too should not be embarrassed. We need to
get out of there and tell people of our faith.
V.52 Bartimaeus received more than his sight.
>Bartimaeus received his sight because of his faith and perseverance. Jesus emphasized that his faith made
him well.
--Now why did Jesus say His faith has made him well? This is to encourage their faith even more. It’s like Jesus
telling them, “See what in your faith to God is able to do?” So next time they face a seemingly impossible
situation, they are more likely to pray with fullness of faith themselves.
LESSON: We are in the dark/blind and we need Jesus help to show us the way. Keep on asking help despite
discouragements through faith and always express gratitude when God answers our prayers.
