Mark 10:46-52 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. ⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁸ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 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. 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.

I.   Context

1. 1. This is the last text of a larger section (pericope) in Mark beginning with 8:22; this section begins and ends with healing a blind person
   2. Focus of entire pericope- Jesus as Messiah and what it means to follow him
   3. Outside Jericho- Jesus on journey to Jerusalem- a commonly traveled road
   4. Blind people would go to the road and rely on the mercy of passing travelers

II.    The Crowd

1. 1. Interested in seeing Jesus themselves
   2. For many, faith is only about self fulfillment
      1. True faith in Christ is not about self fulfillment, rather living according to God’s purposes and the mission he has given us to reach others; in this there is fulfillment

III.     Bartimaus- (Bar-Timaus= Son of Timaus)

1. 1. That Mark gives his name shows he is valued
   2. Refers to Jesus as ‘Son of David’
      1. Recognition that he believes Jesus is the Messiah
      2. Messiah would be in lineage of King David (Isaiah 11:1-2)
   3. Throwing off cloak—letting go of his only possession to come to Jesus
      1. The less we hold onto the easier it is to live by faith

IV.      The Question: What do you want me to do for you?

1. 1. Forced the man to reflect on what he truly wants; same question asked of the Zebedee brothers in Mark 10:36

V.      Bart’s Response

1. 1. Jesus restores the man’s sight (both literal and metaphorical)
      1. Another text displaying Jesus’ authority and compassion
   2. Conversion is a movement from blindness to sight
   3. Real life parable- many sit figuratively in the dust of this broken world, beggars for grace
   4. Man’s final response: v. 52—followed Jesus on the way
   5. That his name is recorded may indicate he became a well known follower of Jesus

VI.     Our Response

1. 1. In humility, ask God to open your eyes and see the relationship that he offers you
   2. Don’t be like the self seeking crowd; open your eyes to the needs of the world and offer mercy as Jesus does