Our Sermons

Bible Passage: Mark 10:45-52
Pastor: Pastor Berg
Sermon Date:  October 28, 2018

For most of us, it’s hard to imagine what it’s like to be totally blind, isn’t it? Children often play games where they pretend to be blind: pin the tail on the donkey, swinging at a pinata, and “Marco Polo” just to name a few. But to be permanently blind, to never be able to open your eyes or take off the blindfold—it’s almost unimaginable what that must be like. There are so many things you miss when you’re unable to see—your baby’s smile, his first steps, all the Little League games and school plays, how radiant your little girl looks on her wedding day. But at least in today’s world, we have many things that make blindness more bearable. Blind people can often function well by themselves with the use of things like a seeing-eye dog or the Braille system. We have special job placement programs and training courses that help blind people find gainful employment. Yet, if it’s hard to imagine being blind today, what must it have been like in Jesus’ day?!? None of the advantages or services available today were available in the days of Jesus. The blind, like all the others who were handicapped in any way, were relegated to a miserable, almost useless life. Unable to function in the real world, completely dependant on the mercy and compassion of others, they were reduced to a life of begging just to keep body and soul together.

Makes a person wonder how long Bartimaeus had lived like this—each day getting up extra early, finding someone to lead him to the gates of Jericho, making sure to get there early enough to stake out a good spot along the busy road where people would be sure to see him and take notice of his plight. I imagine this day started out like any other. Clutching the sleeve of a family member or friend, he was guided to the busy entrance of the city of Jericho. Sitting down in the dirt, he began his well-practiced routine: “Blind! Blind man here. Hey mister, can you help just a little? Come on, friend, whatever you’ve got. Buddy, can you spare a dime?” Day in, day out, making the same plea, trying your best to be seen and heard and noticed among all the others who were just as destitute, just as needy. We can’t even begin to imagine what this sort of thing does to a person’s self-esteem. “Blind man here! Pity me! Have mercy on me! Help me!” But on this day, for this blind beggar, things would be different. This day would be the day that changed the rest of his life, because on this day, Bartimaeus’ suffering pointed him to Christ. On this day Bartimaeus discovered a new life.

Today we find Jesus on his final trip to Jerusalem. One of his final stops along the way was this stop in Jericho, and this unlikely meeting of souls between the son of Timaeus and the Son of David. They came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, a blind man, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road begging. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many told him to be quiet, but he kept shouting all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!”

Jesus and his disciples were on their last trip together. Jesus had already told them what awaited them in Jerusalem. Earlier in Luke he said, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. Indeed, he will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, mistreat him, spit on him, flog him, and kill him. On the third day, he will rise again.” We can’t imagine what it must have been like to know what Jesus knew. He could see the end of his ministry.  In just a few more days, a few more miles the golden roof of the Temple would come into view. Just fifteen more miles before Bethany and Bethphage, the Mount of Olives and Gethsemane, the Sanhedrin, Gabbatha, and Golgotha. Just a few more miles. He would not pass this way again.

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd had gathered around them. Along the road, just outside the city, sat our blind friend, begging Bartimaeus. Naturally, when he heard the commotion of the crowd, he wondered what was going on. He wanted to know who was coming and they told him Jesus, the Nazarene. Jesus the Nazarene was a household name. Bartimaeus had heard some things about Jesus. Most people had. Undoubtedly, he had hear stories of how this Jesus had made the deaf to hear and the mute to speak and that just a few miles away he had raised a man named Lazarus from the dead. But we know that Bartimaeus knew even more. We can see that by the way he addresses Jesus. He calls Jesus, “Son of David.” That title was reserved only for the promised Messiah of God. Bartimaeus believed that Jesus was the Messiah! And not only that, Bartimaeus believed that Jesus could help him in his physical condition as well. He couldn’t let this opportunity pass him by. So he calls out: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Blind Bartimaeus couldn’t see Jesus. He didn’t know where he was in the crowd. He couldn’t even be sure that Jesus hadn’t already passed by. He could hear the crowd, but would Jesus hear him? So he cries out again: “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The people in the crowd here embarrassed by their local blind beggar. They told him to be quiet. “Come on Bart, be quiet. Tone it down a little, don’t bother…” “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  Come on, now. Jesus has more important things to do that to worry about and old blind…” “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Look, if you’ll just stop making such a fuss, I’ll put a couple coins in your cup. Now will you please…” “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Bartimaeus would not be silenced. This was his opportunity of a lifetime. He wanted to meet with Jesus, to talk with Jesus and be healed by Jesus.

Now, I suppose he could have listened to to the crowd. He could have said, “OK, I really shouldn’t be making a scene like this. I’ll just wait for a better time, for the next time Jesus comes by. Maybe I can even get one of my friends to take to make to him tonight…or tomorrow. Anyway, it’s not worth it to upset the crowd any further. After all, I have to rely on them to take care of me if this whole thing doesn’t work out, if Jesus can’t help me.” I suppose he could have thought this way. But he didn’t. He didn’t give up or postpone his appointment with Jesus. For him, it was now or never. And Bartimaeus was right. This would be his only opportunity to meet with Jesus. We know that Jesus would not pass this way again.

However, not all react so wisely. Far too many miss their opportunities to meet with Jesus. It’s all part of our human nature to think: “I’ve got plenty of time and plenty of opportunities left. But right now, I really don’t have time for all this religious stuff. Maybe later. Maybe next week, next month,  or next year. Maybe when things slow down a bit at work , when the kids get out of school, when the house and the car and boat are all paid off, then maybe I’ll have a little more time for such things. When I retire, then I’ll have time for Bible Class. When I get older or grow sick, when death draws near, then I’ll worry about praying and cultivating a relationship with Jesus. But friends, the time to learn how to swim is before you get dumped in the lake. The time to grow in faith is before the day of evil comes. For who knows if you’ll ever have this opportunity again. Who knows if we’ll even have another tomorrow? No, the opportunity to follow Christ is now!

“Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you! He tossed aside his outer garment, jumped up, and went to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man replied, “Rabboni, I want to see again.” Jesus told him, “Go. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight and began following Jesus on the road.”

Jesus obviously had a lot on his mind as he traveled through Jericho. He knew what lay ahead and he was determined to carry it to fulfillment. With all the commotion swirling around him, the bustle of the crowd, the din of voices, it would have been easy for Jesus to miss this solitary voice crying out for mercy. But then, maybe it’s just because it was a cry for mercy that made this voice stand out above the rest. Jesus’ compassion never wavered. He was never too busy for the needs of others. He wasn’t so tied up with his own problems that he didn’t have the time or ears for people in pain. And so, when he heard Bartimaeus’ cry for mercy, Jesus stopped and insisted that the man be brought to him. They called the blind man, saying, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you! Jesus was calling for Bartimaeus. Jesus wanted to meet him, wanted to help him. When Jesus asked Bartimaeus what he could do for him, all Bartimaeus wanted was to see again. His prayer was answered. And note what Jesus said: Go. Your faith has made you well.” But that’s not the end of the story. Let’s not forget the immediate faith-born response: “Immediately he received his sight and began following Jesus on the road.”

Today, in so many opportunities of his grace, Jesus is also calling you! He’s calling for you to examine your sin-riddled life, to confess your sins, to repent of them completely. He’s calling you to the cross of Calvary, where he gave his life for you. He’s calling you to come to him for complete forgiveness for everything you’ve ever done wrong. He’s calling you to follow him. He wants you to stop living your life for yourself and start living your life for him. He wants you to trust him with all of your needs for body and soul. He wants you to come to him in prayer with all your wants, cares, and concerns. He’s calling for you!

So how will you react? Will you do what Bartimaeus did or will you let this opportunity slip away? Who knows if you’ll ever have such an opportunity again? “Now is the time of God’s favor! Now is the day of salvation.” Take this opportunity and answer Jesus’ gracious call! Come and be forgiven! Come and sit at his feet as he speaks to you through his Word! Come and receive his body and blood, shed for you, and you, and you. Listen: He’s Calling for You! Amen.