Bible Lessons:
Mark 10:46-52
Actions Based On Convictions (Faith)
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Introducing the lesson
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Faith, we might say is actions born of convictions. What we do is always tied to, and springs from what we believe. Faith is both a noun and a verb. Fascinating!
Today's lesson is centered around a character often referred to as 'Blind Bartimaeus”. While it is true that Christ Jesus performs a miraculous physical healing, restoring sight to Bartimaeus, I don't think that's the main point of the passage. As wonderful as this healing is, and as praiseworthy as our Savior is, I believe the author of this gospel is highlighting something else. That something is Faith.
Let's engage with the truths we are given, and pray God will change us into what He desires us to be.
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Section A
The Situation
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The son of Timaeus, or Bartimaeus was blind. In that time, and culture he was almost helpless, and certainly unable to provide for himself. His physical condition was hopeless, his prospects were bleak. In fact, our passage describes him engaged in his only practical option, begging for support by the roadside.
Brothers and sisters, we must understand, we must 'see' ourselves in the same predicament spiritually speaking. Blind to spiritual realities, helpless and unable to gain spiritual sight. Without the Lord we are spiritual beggars, just as surely as Bartimaeus was sitting by the road heading out of Jericho. This brings us to our next important thought.
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Section B
The Opportunity
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Jesus, the scripture informs us, had come to Jericho and was in the process of leaving. The opportunity for Bartimaeus was drawing to a close. Let's suppose he had decided to wait for the next time Jesus would visit. Imagine he wanted to wait and find out what the religious leaders up in Jerusalem had to say about the Lord Jesus. We know now that Jesus would never come back to Jericho, that the leaders would wrangle and maneuver to have Christ Jesus executed. But Bartimaeus didn't know any of that.
Thankfully, the 'blind' man could see his opportunity. He cried out to the Lord, refusing to be silent, or to be dignified. Now I wonder if someone reading this lesson is taking their opportunity for granted, not realizing it is not promised, and that the opportunity can end? Do you see as well as the blind man in our passage?
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Section C
Request, Repentance, & Restoration
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First let's consider the request.
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” This is what Bartimaeus asked of the Lord. Let's think about what this means.
The name 'Jesus' has the meaning “Yahweh is salvation”. So our Lord's very Name speaks of Who He is, and what He came to proclaim and accomplish.
The nomenclature 'Son of David” speaks of Christ's lineage from king David, and the promise God made to the elders of Messiah coming from the line of David.
There was no bitterness, no accusations of life being unfair, no self justifying posturing coming from the lips of this blind man. But instead we hear a humble cry for mercy.
Friend, we do not want justice from a Holy and Righteous God, at least not for ourselves. The Bible is very clear that “all have sinned and fallen short...” What justice demands is eternal separation from the life and love of God. That is hell any way you look at it. The man in our story cried out for mercy, and that's what we need too.
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Next let's consider repentance.
I don't want us to miss how Bartimaeus flung away his cloak, that is, his outer garment. Brothers and sisters, this is a beautiful picture of what the Bible refers to as 'repentance.' It is a change of direction, a disassociation from what once defined us, and an ongoing decision to move in a new direction. Our man wanted Jesus more than any security his cloak represented, and more than any dignity he might forfeit in his stumbling towards the Lord. In short, more than anything else.
If you are being reached by the message of this lesson, I say to you “go, and do likewise”.
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Finally, let's think about restoration.
I'm going to get right to what I believe is a vital point in the narrative. Bartimaeus followed Jesus. Sight was restored, but not before faith was established. I am not attempting to minimize the miracle of healing our Lord performed. Not in the slightest. What I am trying to point out is the primary nature of faith. Specifically, the faith that moved a blind man and allowed him to see clearly Who Jesus is.
Why did our Lord ask the man “What do you want me to do for you?” I want to suggest that the primary relationship of faith had been established between the man and the Lord. In the gospel of John, chapter fifteen, verse seven we read “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.” I will not claim to have a full understanding of all the particulars, but it seems to me the interaction between Christ and Bartimaeus follows a similar pattern.
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Concluding the lesson
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Faith is an indispensable part of human life. The important question is where, or more accurately, in whom will faith be placed. Will we trust in ourselves, our character, our abilities, our institutions? Or will we, like Bartimaeus, recognize our desperate situation and need for God's mercy? I will conclude today's lesson with a quote from 2 Corinthians 6:1–2:

“...we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says,
“In a favorable time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

May our gracious and merciful God grant you grace and mercy.
Amen