Right Before Their Eyes

We've all seen the celebrations outside the courthouse after the verdict.  The local news shows them to us all the time.  

That's the seen that Luke describes here in Acts 4:23-31.  But there's a bit of a twist.  

The people aren't so much celebrating that the Sanhedrin has dropped the charges against Peter and John, but rejoicing in the fact that they are all eyewitnesses of the unfolding of God's plan of salvation.  

It was all happening right before their eyes.

Pete and Johnny leave their hearing before the council and tell the other believers what has just happened (v23).  They relate how Pete had turned the tables on the kangaroo court and accused them of murdering the Messiah (Acts 4:10).  

They tell them how these seminary PhDs couldn't figure out how this pair of illiterate idiots got the best of them (Acts 4:13).  They recall how the Sanhedrin was blown away by their boldness (Acts 4:13).  

They relate how the council clearly knew the two of them had spent time with Jesus (Acts 4:13).  And finally they recall how the Sanhedrin told them to stop teaching and talking about Jesus, but that they boldly told them that wasn't possible (Acts 4:18-20).

"When they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God" (v24).  These early believers thrived in community.  This was the only way they knew.  

Sure, their numbers were growing rapidly (in excess of 5000 at this point).  But they desperately needed each other.  

And when they got together, what did they do?  They worshiped!  They immediately worshiped!  They saw God's hand in the entire process and thanked Him for what He was doing right before their eyes.  There is something powerfully encouraging to other believers when we share such stories.  

When great blessings happen in our lives, what is our first reaction?  Do we seek out other Christ followers in order to share with them what God has just done?  

Do we worship?  Do we pray and thank God?  I don't know about you, but I would rather not answer these questions.

As part of this spontaneous worship service, they prayed in thanksgiving.  These believers thanked the "Sovereign Lord” (v24).  The Greek word here is δεσποτης/despotes.  

It is not used very often in the NT, especially in regard to Almighty God (Lk 2:29; 2Tim 2:21; 2Pet 2:1; Jude 4; Rev 6:10).  We get our word "despot" from the Greek.  

But this original term doesn't carry the idea of an iron-fisted dictator.  It means one who is a master or in control.  NT writers use it to describe someone in charge, often the owner of a slave.  Think of your boss or supervisor.

These early Christians understood clearly that God was in complete and absolute control.  And they were witnessing His hand in manipulating these events happening right before their eyes.

In the first part of their prayer, they recognize their Sovereign God as the Creator of the universe, "who made the heaven and the earth and the see and everything in them."  

That pretty much covers everything, doesn't it?  In other words, God was in command of everything from the very beginning.  Actually from BEFORE the beginning.  He was there BEFORE creation.

In verses 25-27, they pray from the psalms and then quickly understand what was written as being fulfilled right before their eyes.  

They quote Psalm 2:1-2.  While the psalmist does not credit this song to anyone, these Spirit-led believers understand this as "through the mouth of our father David, Your servant" (25).  

When David originally wrote these words, he was in constant battle against Gentile kings and nations.  As God's anointed king, he saw the spiritual implications of these political and military battles.  

These early Christ followers see the role of God's Spirit in the composition of David's psalm.  The Holy Spirit moved the king to say these words centuries before.  

The role of the Spirit cannot be ignored in either of Luke's letters to Theophilus.  The Third Person of the Trinity takes the lead role in both Luke and Acts.  

The early church apparently saw a much broader panorama than King David.  They see this as a prophetic psalm which is coming true right before their eyes.  

These rulers such as Herod, Pilate, the Romans and the Sanhedrin had conspired against "Your holy servant Jesus, Whom You anointed” (v27).  The “servant” recalls Isaiah 53.  

The Father anoints the Son with the Spirit.  Can you see how this verse is teaching us about the Trinity?  Cool, huh?

Once again, they understand that all of these events, including the betrayal and brutal crucifixion of Christ, were all part of God's sovereign plan (Acts 2:23).  This is something they did not and could not understand on the other side of the cross.  

These early believers now knew that EVERYTHING that has happened and is currently happening and will happen is part of God's plan.  He has "predestined to take place."

Do we see God's hand in complete control of the events in our life?  In the events of the world?  

God is sovereign.  His hand is unshakeable.  His purpose cannot be swayed.  And it's all for His glory and our good (Rom 8:28-30).

And what was their request?  They asked God to "grant to your servants to continue to speak Your word with all boldness" (v29).  

They didn't pray that they would avoid conflict with the authorities.  As a matter of fact, the result of their request would actually instigate more friction.  

But their prayer was boldness in order to fulfill what Jesus had commanded to them before He headed home (Acts 1:8).  

As they were still praying, the house started rockin' (v31).  Just as it happened when the 120 were crammed into the upper room and the Spirit fell for the first time (Acts 2:2-4), it was happening again!  

This apparently larger group was being filled with the Spirit of God.  He was answering their request immediately, right before their eyes.

And the Spirit empowered them to do exactly as they had asked.  They "continued to speak the word of God with boldness” (v31).  

Is this our prayer?  Do we regularly pray for God to give us boldness to tell others about Jesus?  If so, He might just rock our world.  I'm not sure the room would shake (but I can't guarantee it!), but I am sure He will readily respond to our request.

And then don't be surprised at what will happen right before our eyes.

©2011

Jay Jennings

Charges Dropped

 The Sanhedrin wants to shut up Peter and John as well as shut down this growing movement.  But once the council hauls these two men in to intimidate them, they realize they have a HUGE problem on their hands.

These two followers of Jesus were fearless (v13).  And despite being a pair of illiterate idiots (“uneducated...common": Gr. agrammatos/αγραμματος and idiotes/ιδιοτης), Pete and John had clearly spent time with that radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth.

Do people say the same about us?  Are we known for our boldness?  Is it obvious to others that we spend time with our Savior?

Apparently, the council didn't bring in just Pete and John, but the newly healed man (v14).  If they wanted proof of this most recent miracle, he is standing right before their eyes.  

They all knew him.  He had regularly parked himself at the Beautiful Gate to the temple in order to panhandle (Acts 3:2).  These religious leaders had walked past him day after day, week after week, year after year.  

No doubt, they had ignored him.  Clearly, they had done nothing for him.  Now he stands before them.  In contrast with the courage of Peter and John, the members of the Sanhedrin are speechless.

"But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another" (v15).  The council goes into private deliberation and tries to figure out what in the wide world of sports they are going to do with all of this.  

The rise of Jesus and His followers has stunned the council.  They were sure that His crucifixion would put an end to it.  

Not only were there numerous reports that He was alive, two of their own (Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus) had gone over to the other side.

The question was simple.  "What shall we do with these men?" (v16).  They had used every bit of political capital and leverage with Pilate to crucify Jesus.  They certainly couldn't go back to him about these two Galilean fishermen.  

It's interesting to note that Luke has somehow gotten the information of what was discussed in the Sanhedrin's closed deliberations.  It indicates a couple of things.  

First of all, it reinforces the fact that the good doctor did lots of interviews and a boatload of research in writing his two volumes to Theophilus.  

Second, it reminds us that the Holy Spirit was divinely inspiring his work.

The council had big problem.  "For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it."  They recognize that this miraculous healing is actually a sign of something greater.  And they understand that this miracle is being done through them.

The miracle was both notable and evident.  The Greek for “notable” is gnostos/γνοστος.  It means something notable but also remarkable and extraordinary.  In other words, this healing is all the buzz in the city.  

It was also “evident” or phaneros/φανηρος, which means plainly visible, brought out into the open, widely known and public knowledge.  

It had just happened yesterday afternoon, but with the large crowd present in the Court of the Gentiles the word was out.  

There was no way to spin this.  There was no way to deny it.  There was no un-breaking this light bulb.

The Sanhedrin decides to put a gag order on Pete and John.  "Let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name” (v17).  

Surely they can bully them into stop talking about Jesus.  If they can intimidate these two rubes from the boondocks, they can at least slow down the rumors running rampant in Jerusalem.  

So that's exactly what they do.  They bring the two back in before the full council and "charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus” (v18).

Pete and John respond to their intimidation with even more boldness.  "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (v19-20).  

In other words, it's totally their decision (i.e. their mistake) if the Sanhedrin wants to disobey God but as followers of Jesus, they must do what He says.  The council may rule in such a way, but these two men will always choose to obey the Lord.

This brings up the topic of civil disobedience.  Are there times when it is proper if not imperative for followers of Christ to disobey governmental authority?  The answer is "yes."  

The Bible clearly commands us to submit to our government (1Pet 2:13-17).  And that includes corrupt and evil rulers like Rome (Rom 13:1-7).  Remember, our Savior Jesus was without guilt and broke no law despite being executed (Lk 23:4, 14-15).  

But when what the government demands goes in the face of God's commands, we MUST obey God.  The Jewish midwives did it (Ex 1:15-17).  Daniel did it (Dan 6:4-10).  

Peter and John could not keep quiet.  And a big reason was that Jesus had commanded them to tell the entire world about Him.  "You will be My witnesses  in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8).  

They were also filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit for such a time as this (Lk 12:11-12).  They'll just be obedient to Jesus, thank you.

The Sanhedrin tries to throw their weight around and threaten these men even more (v21).  They couldn't even find anything to charge them with.  

But these two illiterate idiots could not and would not be pushed around.  Part of the council's problem was they were worried about the polls.  

They were worried about public support.  They were paralyzed "because of the people” (v21).  

Do you let the fear of man keep us from doing what we know God is commanding us to do?

Dr. Luke concludes his account of this hearing by reminding us of the man who started this whole thing (v22).  The healed man.  

The Sanhedrin had treated him like a pawn, like a piece of evidence.  They had absolutely no compassion for the man.  They were unwilling to celebrate what God had done for him.

The once-disabled panhandler was more than 40 years old.  For more than four decades, he had never walked.  

How many times had the members of the council walked past him in and out of the temple courts?  

Yet his life was changed when two Galilean watermen stopped and looked into his eyes.  The Spirit of God opens our eyes to see people as Jesus sees them.

©2011

Jay Jennings

A Couple of Idiots

 Peter has just preached his third Spirit-filled sermon in the book of Acts (Acts 4:5-12).  This third installment, "Rocky III," knocks out the Sanhedrin.  

They had brought Pete and John to trial.  But Rocky turned the tables and accused these religious leaders of murdering Messiah.

Beginning in verse 13, the 71 members of the Jewish council responds not only to Pete's sermon but their healing of the disabled man in the temple courts.  

The first thing they noticed about Peter and John was their boldness.  The Greek word here is parresia/παρρησια, which means freedom, lack of fear, courage, confidence.  Friberg says it also includes the idea of a joyful sense of freedom.

Pete and John weren't afraid of anything.  In many ways, it just doesn't make sense.  Just a few weeks ago, Peter folded up like a cheap suit when challenged by a servant girl (Lk 22:56-57).  

Why?  What's the difference?  These men had seen the risen Jesus!  These men are now filled with the Holy Spirit!  

Oh, that we would spend time with One God raised from the dead!  Oh, that we would empty ourselves of the crap of life in order to be filled with God's Spirit!  

When these things happen, God does extraordinary things through ordinary people.

The Sanhedrin also noted "that they were uneducated, common men" and were blown away.  Once again, a look at the original language is instructive.  

"Uneducated" is the word agrammatos/αγραμματος, which at its core means illiterate. Putting the negative a-/α- before -grammatos/-γραμματος, and, voila!  It describes someone who can’t read or write.

Now this could certainly mean something as simple as they were uneducated and unlearned men.  They may have simply been indicating that these two smelly fishermen weren't graduates of any college, much less any seminary.  

But I think a look at the next word gives us insight into the Sanhedrin’s opinion of these two fearless Galileans.

"Common" is the Greek word idiotes/ιδιοτης.  I honestly think the translators have cleaned things up a bit.  

While the word can certainly mean someone who is unskilled and has no professional knowledge, it also indicates an ignorant, ill-informed person.  In other words, an IDIOT!

The highly-educated Sanhedrin couldn't believe they had been whooped by a couple of illiterate idiots!  It didn't make any sense.  

These two rubes had completely embarrassed them.  One of them had just knocked their socks off with his knowledge of what the Old Testament says about Messiah (Acts 4:11-12).

I think the council's opinion of Pete and John was, while demeaning and arrogant, actually right on target.  But it's a reminder that God does extraordinary things through very ordinary people.  

How had these two illiterate idiots boldly bumfuzzled the best minds in Israel?  Luke tells us that the council "recognized that they had been with Jesus" (v13).  

OK, they did have just a bit of training.  They had spent the past three years following the radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth.  And this had been an education like no other!  

When we spend time with Jesus and are filled with His Spirit, crazy things begin to happen.

God can do extraordinary things through very ordinary people.

This idea is stated over and over in the Bible.  Time and time again, God gets a hold of a broken, ordinary person and does extraordinary things.

-A drunk and naked sailor: Noah

-A hotheaded murderer: Moses

-A gorgeous member of a harem: Esther

-A hot and bothered king willing to kill: David

-A coward hiding from the enemy: Gideon

-A bartender: Nehemiah

-A unmarried pregnant teen girl: Mary

-A blue-collar construction worker: Joseph

It's the same idea that Paul writes about to the jacked-up church in Corinth.  "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong" (1Cor 1:27).  

Notice that God made the strategic decision to use the foolish and weak in order to make sure the world knows that He is behind it all.

And that includes a couple of illiterate idiots like Pete and John.  Because God does extraordinary things through very ordinary people.  

Are you ready for Him to use you? 

©2011

Jay Jennings

Clearing the Windshield

A Complicated Relationship

My relationship with snow is…well…complicated.  

The sight of big fluffy flakes falling from the clouds and covering the ground brings out the kid in me.  Thoughts of sledding, snowball fights, and climbing through huge drifts dance in my head.

On the other hand, snow equals work. As a member of the local media, just the very hint of flakes in the forecast can mean brutally long days either standing along the side of the road or monitoring the supply of bread and milk at some grocery store.

If You Can’t See, You Can’t Go

If you don’t park your car in the garage, you’re not driving anywhere after the storm until you clean off your windshield. Many times brushing away the pile of powder leads to cracking away the thick sheet of ice underneath.

Ever been in this situation WITHOUT a snow scraper? Good luck. You need help. Otherwise, you’re not going anywhere anytime soon. 

The bottom line? If you can’t see, you can’t go.

Stuck on the Side of the Road

So what does a frozen, snow covered windshield have to do with Mark’s story of Jesus? Well, I’m so very glad you asked. I hope you’ll soon see more clearly.

In Mark 10:46-52, we meet a guy named Bartimaeus who can’t see where he’s going and is unable to clear his view. Bart is stuck on the side of the road. Fortunately our Savior comes to his rescue and gives him a view like he’s never had before.

Previously on the Gospel of Mark

If you’ve been following along in Mark’s Gospel, you know Christ and His crew are heading down the home stretch to Jerusalem (10:32). He’s tried three different times to reveal who He is and what will happen when they get there (Mk 8:31; 9:31; 10:33). And all three times the disciples swung and missed (Mk 8:32-33; 9:32; 10:35-39).

Heading Uphill

We pick up the action on the outskirts of Jericho. This puts the Messiah and His men just 15 miles from their final destination. It’s all uphill from here. Literally. Pardon me while I nerd out geographically.

The guys have been walking along the Jordan River. It’s about five miles east of Jericho. The elevation there is approximately 1,000 feet below sea level. When they hit Jericho, they’re arriving at the lowest city in the world! It’s 864 feet below sea level.

Going up to Jerusalem

The last leg of the trip to Jerusalem may be short but it’s incredibly steep. With an elevation of 2,474, you climb almost 3,300 feet in those last 15 miles. That wears me out just typing it!

That’s why we see countless verses in the documents of both the Old and New Testament talking about going up to Jerusalem. No matter which direction you go, you have to go up to get there. The trip from Jericho is no exception.

Jesus Visits Jericho

Mark describes it this way. “Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and His disciples left town, a large crowd followed Him” (v46). Yup, Jericho. The place God made famous for knocking down its walls (Josh 6).

Despite writers mentioning it more than 60 times in the 60 books of Scripture, this is the only time we read of Jesus visiting Jericho. And we can find this visit documented here as well as in two other Gospels (Mt 20:29-34; Lk 18:35-43).

A Biblical Contradiction?

When we compare the three versions of the story, there appears to be a huge difference. Matthew and Mark say this happens as they’re leaving town (Mt 20:14; Mk 10:42). Dr. Luke writes that it goes down as “Jesus approached Jericho” (Lk 18:35).

Aha! The Bible contradicts itself!! It seems those skeptics were right along!!! Yeah, not so much. Biblical scholars and archaeologists see no problem here. It simply depends on which Jericho you’re talking about.

Which Jericho?

They could be talking about Old Jericho. You know, the one where the walls came a-tumblin’ down back in the OT. Or it could be New Jericho. When the people rebuilt the city, they did so just down the road. 

Which one is it? The old one or the new one? It really doesn’t matter. Sure sounds this meeting happens between the two, just on the outskirts of the city.

Blind Bart

Mark quickly pans from Jesus to someone just ahead of Him. “A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road” (v46).

The dude is visually disabled. The Greek word τυφλος/tuphlos tells us he’s without eyesight. It can also describe someone who is unable to understand or really see what’s going on. We’ll find out in a second that Bart sees better than the rest of the crowd.

Ain’t Too Proud to Beg

He’s also a panhandler. The word in the original language for “beggar” (Gr. προσαιτης/prosaites) literally means to approach and ask. It’s the only way to survive in the First Century if you’re blind. Bartimaeus ain’t too proud to beg.

With no sight, no money, no power, and no job, Bart is on the outside of society looking in. He’s expendable. His only shot is to find a strategic spot and plead with travelers for a couple of bucks. 

Helping Those Who Can’t Help Themselves

We’ve all pulled off the exit ramp to see someone holding a sign and begging for money. You know the drill. We avoid eye contact. Hopefully the light will change before they walk over to our car.

Do panhandlers make you uncomfortable? They should! They remind us that the world is horribly broken. I’m not going to do a drive-by guilting and ask if you give them any cash. 

But let’s NOT ignore these people. Do we participate in serving and loving them at least in some way? Don’t feel safe helping the homeless on the side of the road? I get it. But do you share your resources with those who do? Asking for a friend.

Made in God’s Image

The author tells us the visually impaired panhandler’s name is Bartimaeus. That’s interesting for a couple of reasons. First of all, neither Matthew or Luke drop his name. Second, Matt tells us there are, not one, but two men begging along the road.

Read his name one more time. Bartimaeus. Instead of ignoring him, we look him right in the eye. He may be blind and begging, but he’s a person. He’s made in God’s image. He has as much value as anyone else who’s ever walked the planet.

Bookends of Blindness

It’s not Jesus’ only encounter with someone who can’t see in the second Gospel. Hans Bayer wrote the notes in the ESV Study Bible sees a strong bond between what we read here and the account in Mark 8:22-26.

He writes that the two healings of blind men are “literary bookends” surrounding Jesus’ three announcements that He is not only Messiah but He will be betrayed, murdered, and resurrected. Yet each time, they don’t see it.

Bayer believes it’s Mark’s subtle way of describing the disciples’ spiritual blindness to Christ’s true mission and how He has the power to open their eyes. Before we go any further, let me ask you who do you see Him to be?

Seeing Jesus

Our buddy Bart may be physically blind but he sees the radical Rabbi for who He really is. “When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, 

have mercy on me!’” (v47).

That Guy from Gallilee

Put yourself in Bart’s sandals. Your eyes may not work but your ears certainly do. You hear the crowd approaching. The voices. The foot traffic. The chatter. The buzz. 

Something BIG is going on. Someone BIG is heading your way. You grab somebody’s robe and ask who it is. They tell you it’s that Guy from Galilee that everybody’s talking about.

The Hero from Heaven

Stranded along the side of the road, Bart knows this is his chance. The Messiah is coming his way! He fills his lungs and screams above the chaos, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (v47). It’s not everyday God puts a divine encounter like this on your calendar.

How do we know that Bart sees Jesus as the long promised Hero from heaven? He calls Him the Son of David. That’s the title reserved for the One who fulfills the promise God made to King David back in 2 Samuel 7.

Blind Bart actually sees Jesus for who He really is! The one who has come to rule and reign forever as both King and Messiah. We’ll soon see that the Lord clearly understands this panhandler proclamation as a bold act of faith.

Refusing to Be Ignored

Mark describes how the blind man screams above the noise of the crowd. The NLT translates the Greek verb κραζω/krazo as “shout." It means to cry out in a demanding voice or shriek. 

It describes an incredibly unpleasant and piercing noise. Think smoke detector. Bart refuses to be ignored. Like Alexander Hamilton, he’s not throwing away his shot.

He screams for help to the only One who really can help. His desperate cry that Jesus “have mercy” (Gr. ελεεω/eleeo) on him is a 9-1-1 call for compassion. Bart’s not asking the Lord if He has a moment. He’s howling as loudly as he can, “HELP ME, PLEASE!!!”

Will You PLEASE Shut up?!?

For folks in the crowd trying to get close to Christ, the blind guy’s shouts are getting under their skin. “‘Be quiet!’ many of the people yelled at him” (v48). The grammar in the original language lets us know that they don’t just tell him once, but over and over and over.

Put a sock in it, dude! Don’t bother Jesus! He’s got WAY more important stuff to do than talk to a bum like you!!

Pumping up the Volume

Instead of quieting down, Bart pumps up the volume. “But he only shouted louder, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (v48). I’m pretty sure this is what the guys in Spinal Tap would call “turning it up to 11.”

He screams the same thing one more time and doubles down on his desperate cry. Once again, Bartimaeus pleads for mercy from the Messiah. He knows that if Jesus is truly who he thinks He is, help is closer than it’s ever been.

Not out of His Way

The next thing you know, our Savior slams on the brakes. “When Jesus heard him, He stopped and said, ‘Tell him to come here’” (v49). The word the NLT translates as “tell” (Gr. φωνεω/phoneo) describes calling someone at a distance to come closer.

Despite a divine appointment with a Roman cross in Jerusalem (Mk 8:31; 9:30; 10:33-34), the Lord stops to talk to Bart. Jesus doesn’t go out of His way to help because helping people is never out of His way. 

Couple of thoughts. First, is it out of your way to help somebody? Is my agenda so stinking important that I can’t take time for someone in trouble? Second, don’t make the mistake that the Lord has too much going on to be worried about you. He’s more than willing to drop what He’s doing to help. Just ask Him.

From “Shut up” to “Cheer up”

As soon as Jesus responds to Bart’s cry for help, the crowd’s attitude does a 180. “So they called the blind man. ‘Cheer up,’ they said. ‘Come on, He’s calling you!’” (v49).

They didn’t give a hoot about him until the Lord did. “Cheer up”? Just seconds before they’re telling him to shut up!

Bold and Daring

A couple of cool thoughts about the word translated here as “cheer up” (Gr. θαρσεω/tharseo). One, it means to be courageous, be bold, be daring, and have confidence. Funny how the crowd tells Bart to be bold…when he already was gutsy enough to call on the Christ for help.

Two, this Greek verb shows up a grand total of seven times in the 66 documents we call the Bible. Every other time we see it, Jesus is the one telling folks to bold and daring because of their faith in Him (Mt 9:2, 22; 14:27; Mk 6:50; Jn 16:33; Acts 23:11).

Chucking His Robe

Once the word gets to him, “Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus” (v50). Nobody had to tell this guy twice! 

So why does Mark mention that Bart ditches his outer robe? Remember, he’s a beggar. His coat is one of few possessions. He’s willing to chuck it all in order to come to Christ!

What Do You Want Me to Do for You?

The blind man makes his way through the crowd. Can’t you picture the people guiding him in order to get to face to face with the Jesus? The buzz of anticipation builds. What’s the Miracle Worker going to do this time?!? 

Jesus simply asks Bartimaeus, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (v51). The Lord opens the door for him to express His trust in who He is and what He can do. Forget getting three measly wishes from some genie. Imagine the Creator of the universe asking you how He can help!

Begging for Sight

Interestingly, this is the very same question He has just asked James and John (Mk 10:36). If you’ll remember, Christ didn’t give them the positions of power they wanted because they totally misunderstood His mission of servanthood.

Bart isn’t looking for anything like that. “‘My Rabbi,’ the blind man said, ‘I want to see!’” (v51). He wastes no time asking Jesus for the one thing he so desperately needs. He’s not begging for money. This time he’s begging for his sight.

Hanging onto a Promise

One of the prophesies about the coming Messiah is that He will be able to give sight to those who are blind (Is 61:1; Lk 4:18; 7:22). If you’re a visually disabled Jew, you can bet you’re hanging onto this promise with both hands.

Remember the analogy I proposed back in the beginning? You’re trapped alone inside your snow-covered and snowbound car on the side of the road. You can’t see. You can’t move.

Triple-A from the Trinity

Suddenly Someone with has come to your rescue. He taps on your door and asks how He can help. This is Triple-A straight from the Trinity!

Did the Son of God answer him immediately? Or was there a moment of silent anticipation to see what He would say? Bart and the crowd hold their breath waiting for Christ’s answer.

Your Faith Has Healed You

The Lord gives Bartimaeus the answer he’s been waiting years to hear. “And Jesus said to him, ‘Go, for your faith has healed you’” (v52). 

Notice how Christ commends the beggar’s belief in Him and actually commands him to get moving. The crazy thing is that Bart could already see Jesus WAY better than anyone else in the 

crowd…including the disciples!

The Object of Our Faith

It’s Bart’s trust in who Jesus is that cures his blindness. It’s NOT the strength of his faith which heals. It’s the strength of the OBJECT of his faith that does the trick. And it’s only faith in Jesus who provides the ultimate healing. 

“Your faith has healed you.” Sound familiar? That’s because two other times our Savior heals using these very same words. There’s the woman with the long history of hemorrhage (Mt 9:22; Mk 5:34). And those ten men suffering from leprosy (Lk 17:19).

Mark’s Favorite Word

No surprise that it happens again here. “Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road” (v52). Once again we see Mark drop his favorite word (Gr. ευθυς/euthus), one the author uses at least 40 times. The NLT translates it here as “instantly.”

In the blink of an eye, the Lord gives Bart physical vision to match the spiritual sight he already possessed. It’s an outward picture of what’s already happened to his soul. 

Ready to Roll

Jesus doesn’t just wipe off his windshield but He clears every window. Now the man is no longer stuck on the side of the road. He sees clearly and is ready to roll!

After curing his blindness, Christ wishes Bart well and tells him to do whatever he wants. And what he wants to do is hang out with his Healer. “He followed Jesus down the road” (v52).

The Lord’s way became Bart’s way. This may seem obvious but when we follow Jesus, we go where He goes. We do what He does. We love whom He loves. 

A Front Row Seat

Imagine what Bart would witness over the coming days! He’ll get a front row seat for Jesus’ ticker tape parade into Jerusalem (Mk 11:1-10) and all the stuff that follows during what we’ve come to call Passion Week. 

Bart will see Christ clear the temple courts (Mk 11:15-19). He’ll watch as the Lord delivers some of the most powerful teaching of His earthly ministry (Mk 12:1-44). He’ll witness one of Jesus’ own team members will turn on Him (Mk 14:10-11, 43-49). 

He’ll see with his own eyes Jewish leaders conspire with Roman authorities to arrest, torture, and murder Messiah (Mk 14:53-65; 15:1-39). And there’s a pretty good chance Bartimaeus is there behind the locked door in that upstairs room and witness our risen Savior making His surprise appearance (Lk 24:36-49; Jn 20:19-23).

Blind Spots

Jesus’ healing of the blind beggar named Bart is one of the most famous stories in the New Testament. But what does it have to do with those of us who follow Him today? 

The fact of the matter is that every single one of us who have placed our trust in Christ still have blind spots. Oh, you don’t have any? Guess what. You do. You just don’t see them. That’s why they call them “blind spots.”

Opening Your Eyes

Let the Son of God open your eyes to the people all around you. See them as He sees them. Their hurts. Their hopes. Their pain. Their dreams.

He’ll also let you see yourself as He sees you. Tim Keller puts it like this. “We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus than we ever dared hope.”

Cleaning Your Windows

Allow the Lord to keep cleaning your windows. Ask Him to clear the obstructions. Only then can He point us in the direction we need to go.

That’s the point of David’s prayer at the end of Psalm 139. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You and lead me along the path of everlasting life” (Ps 139:23-34).

We can’t go anywhere until we can see. Just ask Bartimaeus.

©2019

Jay Jennings