“JESUS CHRIST - A MAN APPROVED OF GOD (Acts 2:22)”
  Miracle #37-   “BLIND BARTIMAEUS”
Mark 10:46-49,50-52

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.  And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

1. Bartimaeus knew he was blind … do you?
Blindness in the Bible represents sin … with their eyes closed to the Lord.

Dear Reader, Are your eyes closed? Have your eyes been opened? Have you lost your way? Do you know you are dead in trespasses and sins? Do you know you must get saved? Do you know you are lost? 

2. Bartimaeus heard it was Jesus Christ … do you?
As the scriptures say faith cometh by hearing (Romans 10:17) and by the foolishness of preaching (1Corinthians 1:21)

3. Bartimaeus knew who Christ was … do you?
Dear Reader, do you know who Jesus Christ is? They all called him the Son of David (Matthew 1:1) … but you may not know much about that … and you may not know much about the Bible or religion, but deep in your heart you know who Christ is. 

4. Bartimaeus knew Christ would heal … do you?
Dear Reader, do you know that only Christ can save you? Yes, he’s the last one on your list that you are going to contact … you’ve tried everybody else …. the Dalai, Buddha and so on and all to no avail. All the rest involve works to stay ‘sane’ … too hard!

5. Bartimaeus cried for mercy … will you?
Yes Dear Reader, God is full of mercy toward those that earnestly run into Jesus Christ.

6. When Christ commands all obey … will do you?
And they do … or else they will be wiped out as at Armageddon (Revelation 19:11-21) 

7. Bartimaeus came by free will … will you?
Dear Reader, do you know that you have a choice … yes or no … it’s very simple.

8. Bartimaeus was rebuked at the start … have you been?
Yes Dear Reader, it won’t be a popular choice to cry out to Jesus to save you.

Furthermore, it is exceedingly annoying to pretend Christians that someone would earnestly want the truth and will not be put off.

9. Bartimaeus was persistent … will you?
Dear Reader, he was in earnest … he wanted only Jesus and wouldn’t be put off

10. Christ asked Bartimaeus a question … has Christ asked you?
Christ likes the sinner to tell him his need and express his belief and faith in his own words
For example, here’s a few … “Wilt thou be made whole?” (John 5:6); “Believe ye that I am able to do this?” (Matthew 9:28); “Whom say ye that I am?” (Matthew 16:15); “What wilt thou?” (Mark 10:51); “Lovest thou me?” (John 21:15); “Where are the nine?” (Luke 17:17); “Will ye also go away?” (John 6:67)

11. Bartimaeus knew exactly what he wanted .. do you?
Dear Reader, what will you ask Jesus for?

12. Bartimaeus’ belief … that is all of the above … his faith … made him whole
Dear Reader, do you know that your faith is based purely on what you believe. Today, how much faith do you need to get saved? No faith needed … simply believe the facts … then the faith of Jesus Christ will be put to your account and you will be saved. Your faith will be the gift of God and not of yourself as follows …

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

13. Bartimaeus followed Jesus 
Dear Reader, why wouldn’t you? Imagine someone miraculously giving you back your sight … you’d be over the moon! How about eternal life in heaven and not burning in hell?

Bartimaeus would be saying … ”Man, this is my new career now … Christ is the real deal! I now give up my hobbies of woodwork, motorcross, University of the Third Age Studies, my interest in politics and jumping out of a plane … yes …. my whole bucket list!”

This was the start of the rest of his life … with a break from the past … a new era.

In the Old Testament, a priest was not to rend his garments or throw them away … if he did, he disqualified himself (Leviticus 21:10).

What Christ wants from us today is a rent heart (Joel 2:13) … a casting away of our old garments, habits, the old life and so on.

Christ’s garment was not rent at the cross. Why? Christ was the new era … the never ending dispensation …. never to be replaced by any other clothes … no one has ever, will ever rend Christ’s clothes.

Dear Reader, do you know there are many who will follow Christ but will not have him as their Saviour.

Conclusion
Have your eyes to understand been opened? If not … why not?
Are you following Christ? If you are … why?
Are you praising God? If you are … why?
Are you healed from spiritual blindness? … why not?
Are you eternally saved? If not … why not?

Harley Hitchcock
May 2023
www.
AustralianBibleMinistries
.com

“JESUS CHRIST - A MAN APPROVED OF GOD (Acts 2:22)”
  Miracle #38-   “MALCUS’ EAR CUT OFF”
Matt 26:51; Mark 14:47; Luke 22:50-51;
John 18:10