FIRST SIGHT OF THE CROSS: Mark 10:46-52
It is hard for us to imagine the anticipation of the crowds that followed Jesus as he went up to Jerusalem for the last time.
The buildup of their expectation was something you could almost feel. There was electricity in the air.
Everyone knew that something special was about to happen. Great crowds of people were streaming towards Jerusalem for the yearly celebration of the Passover. Jesus was also going there to celebrate the festival with his disciples.
However, he was also going there for another specific reason. Earlier, Jesus told his disciples, “We are going up to Jerusalem and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law.
They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” Jesus plainly told his disciples why he was going to Jerusalem for the last time, but the disciples really did not understand what he was saying. They couldn’t see what Christ was talking about. They were spiritually blind when it came to the teaching of the cross.
As the Lord begins his final approach to Jerusalem, he comes to the great city of Jericho. This was an ancient city with a long history. It was about 20 miles northeast of the capital.
Here, at Jericho, we see even more pilgrims joining Jesus and his group.
Now, the crowds really swell. It becomes a triumphal procession as they move through the great city down the main street. It is like a grand parade with Christ leading the way.
But then, something happened. It was such a trifling incident, but no one ever forgot it. A blind man lived in Jericho; Bartimaeus was his name.
He was a beggar who sat on the main street every day asking for money. Somehow or another, this blind man heard that Jesus of Nazareth was coming through his city and was about to pass by. Evidently, Bartimaeus knew who Jesus was and why everyone was so excited by his arrival.
He had probably heard about the many great miracles Christ had performed.
Therefore, Bartimaeus now begins to shout at the top of his lungs, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Jesus, Lord Messiah, help me!” Repeatedly he shouts this out. And Bartimaeus must have had a loud voice because those in the crowd near him finally said, “Hey, you old bum, shut up! Be quiet! You’re spoiling the whole parade.”
Mark says, “Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” Bartimaeus saw his chance and he was not about to quit.
Jesus was coming and he knew that it was now or never. When Christ came to the place where Bartimaeus was seated, he suddenly stopped.
He stood still and the whole procession behind him stopped as well. The whole show came to a grinding halt.
Silence fell so that the shouting of Bartimaeus became even more obvious. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” was ringing through the crowded streets of Jericho.
“Call him,” commanded Jesus. The people then told Bartimaeus, “Cheer up, old fellow!
On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, Bartimaeus jumped to his feet and was escorted over to where Jesus stood in the street. And so, with the great crowds as spectators, these two men faced each other, the beggar with no light in his eyes and the man who was the Light of the World.
Then, the question from Jesus’ lips, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus simply says, “I want to see.”
You can almost feel the pain of being blind for so many years in those simple words. “I want to see. I want to be healed. I want to be made whole and restored.
O Lord Jesus, help me!” Christ sees the faith that Bartimaeus has. This is a faith that believes Jesus is the Messiah sent by God. He is the promised Son of David. He is the Lord who has compassion upon those who are suffering, and he has the power to heal and help and make all things new.
What follows now is interesting. No anointing occurs; there is no laying on of hands. But there are only the simple words of Christ which say, “Go, your faith has made you well.” Immediately, Bartimaeus receives his eyesight back.
The Lord speaks his Word and the blind man is healed. Just like that! Here, we see how God’s Word is a Word of healing. It is a Word of salvation and restoration.
Literally, Christ says, “Go, your faith has saved you.” Salvation brings healing and hope. Christ makes all things new.
Faith believes this. Faith receives the gift of salvation and renewal to be found in Jesus the Messiah. Mark tells us, “Immediately Bartimaeus received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” That’s how it is.
We receive the gift and then we respond in faith. We are healed and then immediately follow Christ along the road.
That is what...
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