Sermon Title: The Road Ahead
Scripture: Mark 10:46-52 (NIV)

Contributed by Nancy Buschart

The Road Ahead—Mark 10:46-52

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. —Mark 10:51-52

Today is the last of the stories from Mark’s Gospel where we consider how an encounter with the real Jesus changes us. As we have walked with Jesus and the disciples through Galilee toward Jerusalem, we’ve witnessed many lives and circumstances being changed. Faith has been affirmed and increased, demons have fled, and many have been healed. The deaf and mute, the crippled and the blind have all experienced life changing transformation.

This is the only time the person being healed is identified by name. Bartimaeus is the “son of Timaeus” (v. 46). Bar means “son of.” Some commentators wonder if being called by name in Mark 10 may indicate that, after the resurrection, Bartimaeus continued as a first-hand witness (“I was blind, but now I see!”) to the healing power of the Messiah in the newly formed church.

This is Mark’s second account of a blind man whose sight has been restored by Jesus. In Mark 8, Jesus used his own saliva and touched the man’s eyes. It required a second touch of Jesus’ hands to fully restore the man’s sight. Today’s story in Mark 10 tells us that Jesus healed this blind man in the power of Jesus’ own authority and because of the man’s faith.

Jesus, his disciples, “together with a large crowd” (v. 46) are passing through Jericho on the way to Jerusalem where, as Jesus has made clear to the disciples, the crucifixion awaits (vv. 33-34). Blind Bartimaeus is begging alms at the city gate. When he hears that the crowd passing by him includes Jesus of Nazareth, Bartimaeus shouts, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (v. 47, 48). Bartimaeus’ cry to Jesus has two distinct parts. “Have mercy on me” is a familiar petition from the Psalms, Israel’s prayer book (Ps 9:13; 41:4, 10; 86:3, 123:3). Bartimaeus cries for mercy from the “Son of David,” the Son of God, the long-awaited Messiah. Bartimaeus has faith that the Son of David can heal him.

Just as the disciples shushed the parents who brought their children to Jesus (10:13), the crowd rebukes Bartimaeus as well and “told him to be quiet” (v. 48). Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (10:14). Bartimaeus receives the same welcome from Jesus: “Call him” (v. 49) – bring him to me.

With Bartimaeus in front of him, Jesus asks him, “What do you want me to do for you?” (v. 51). We have heard Jesus ask this question before. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, have just asked Jesus “to do for them whatever they ask.” Jesus replies, “What do you want me to do for you?” (10:35-36). To the request from sons of Zebedee which is motivated by their desire for position and status, Jesus’ answer is “no.” Bartimaeus’ answer is ‘yes.’ “Rabbi, I want to see” (v. 51). “‘Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight” (v. 52).

Earlier in Jesus’ ministry, John the Baptist sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the long-awaited Messiah? Jesus told John’s disciples to “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor” (Mt 11:4-5). Bartimaeus is the last of this long list of lives changed by encounters with the real Jesus. Jesus, the son of David, the Son of God, came “to give his life as a ransom for many” (10:45). Bartimaeus “Immediately received his sight and followed Jesus along the road” (v. 52) all the way to the cross.

Consider –

╬ Bartimaeus knew that there was mercy and healing available from Jesus, the Son of David. The blind man “saw” the Messiah even before he could see Jesus’ face and he believed Jesus could make him whole. When has your faith in Jesus’ mercy and love allowed you to ask for your deepest heart’s desire? Tell one another stories of the “no” and the “yes” from the Lord. How was your faith challenged? How did your faith increase?

╬ Bartimaeus followed Jesus to Jerusalem. He became a witness of Jesus’ healing power, and of Jesus’ death and resurrection. If you heard his testimony, what would Bartimaeus’ story have stirred in you?

╬ Father, Son and Spirit, thank you for the record of Jesus’ ministry. Enliven our imaginations to see you with the eyes of faith. Compel us to tell the stories of God’s redeeming mercy to those who are waiting to hear the great Good News of Jesus and his love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.