Mark 10:46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. 48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
Jesus was on a journey to the cross and it was nearing its end as he made his way to Jerusalem. There he’d be betrayed, accused by lies, sentenced to death and crucified. As far as crimes, they was nothing he had done wrong. He was dying for the human race for their sins. We’ve all sinned; we did not deserve for Jesus to die in our place. THE Somebody died for nobodies and arose to live forevermore.
Jesus had been to many places, and to some of them, several times. Once at Jericho Zacchaeus was saved. He climbed the tree to see Jesus and he went home with him. Jericho had a bad reputation; it wasn’t a town you would go to, but Jesus went again. Where would his next stop be? The people followed him in great multitudes. He was healing and forgiving sin. We cannot say Jesus has never done anything for us. Shame on us for not giving God more glory. Our sin and disobedience of giving into our sinful nature, now we’re responsible when we do that. The good in our life has all come from the Lord. We should praise him.
Here was a man by the side of the road. The people ahead of Jesus talked. The people behind him talked. The people beside him talked. Bartimaeus was left out. He heard all the noise and sensed the excitement and a presence different than any he’d felt before. We have a perception of God, that he is near. We can draw near to him. Mechanically I cannot tell you how that is done. You know how: trust him by faith leaning your soul toward him. You’ll know you’re near him even though you cannot see him. Do you have trouble believing? God has given you a brain; he’s given you a soul. Our nature is fallen due to sin but there is still an ability through faith and hearing the gospel. Quit using faith to believe the devil and the world. Turn it around and put it in Jesus.
Bartimaeus was blind and had a “roadside” life. He heard many things sitting by the roadside–probably courters talking sweet things to each other, families, kids, carriages, wagons and donkeys. Soldiers as well as ordinary people. Yet he’d been an outcast. That’s where the devil puts you–on the roadside as an outcast. You can have it all but without Jesus we’d all still be on the roadside lost. Deep down something is missing. The treasure you lack has made you a beggar. You cry out but no one helps. Friends and wealth can’t give you what you need.
Bartimaeus heard the crowd coming. What in the world was going on? He couldn’t get out there because he was blind. Do we see Jesus with our eyes? No. We see him with our hearts. All possibilities are there with Jesus. Bartimaeus heard the name Jesus and had thought for a while if he could just meet him, if he’d just pass by him. This day he sensed Jesus’ presence as the people talked about him. Let’s do more than talk about him; let’s talk to him. He’ll make himself visible to us. Bartimaeus couldn’t see but he started shouting, asking for mercy. The people tried to shut him up. Every time you try to get to God the devil will try to shut you up somehow. Don’t listen. Bartimaeus cried the louder begging for mercy. Verse 49 says Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. Jesus’ next stop was Bartimaeus. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. What did he do? He arose and cast off his garment and went to Jesus. A hush came upon the crowd as Jesus gave the order. How did he make it to Jesus? Faith. His GPS led him to Jesus. Jesus asked him what he wanted him to do for him. Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. What did he do? Followed Jesus.
The next stop for Jesus would be Jerusalem. Today he’s making a stop at you and at me. There is still room at the cross for everyone. Let’s come to him. He has stopped by.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 