The Blind Man Who Saw The Light of The World

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES - FRIDAY 11 APRIL 2025 - MR JOHN WEIR

MARK 10 VERSES 46 TO 52

When we read through our bibles it is amazing how God steps in when there is no hope. Think of the stories of David and Goliath, the crossing of the Red Sea, Jericho's walls falling down. Luke 1 verse 37 is my favourite verse "for with God nothing shall be impossible." The Lord is in this meeting - "where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them." Maybe you can't wait until the meeting is over or maybe you are here and you want to know your sins forgiven, to know Christ as your Saviour and Lord, to have the joy and peace only God can given. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.". This is the story of a desperate man crying for mercy. One day he cried for money but this day he cried for the master and for mercy instead.

The plight of Bartimaeus - verse 46 "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." Notice his condition. He is blind and a beggar. 3 times we are told he is blind - verses 46, 49 and 51. What an awful life this man is living. He is blind but also a beggar. Day after day, week after week, year after year. What awful circumstances he lived in. A dark world, longing to be able to see. Sitting by the wayside begging each day. He was viewed as a social outcast.  He was unable to work, there was no benefit system in those days. He had no family that we read of. He relied on the kindness of others. How long did he sit there? That road was a busy road from Jericho to Jerusalem. It was the time of the Passover. Deep down I wonder was he tired of the prospect of every day doing the same thing? Do you know anyone like that? Tired? Don't want to get up every day. Every day they walk down the street to get a bottle of drink to get them through the day. Blind Bartimaeus. Who will take pity on me? I see him tripping and falling. I see his hurt, pain, embarrassment and rejection. Everyone knew him. Bartimaeus did not see the wonders of God's creation. He was in darkness every day. Do you marvel at God's creation? Robert Murray McCheyne said "man made the town, God made the countryside. He couldn't see the flowers in the garden, the sunset, the mountains, the rainbow, the stars in the sky. His physical darkness is also a picture of his spiritual blindness. Most people like to talk about football, farming, cars but as soon as you mention God and salvation they turn off, they see it as a nuisance. Why is that? They are spiritually blind. "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should shine unto them." At 19 years of age I walked in and heard the gospel for the first time. At that moment I was touched, my head and my heart were both touched, in fact my whole body was touched. Many will know that experience. But many cannot see that tonight. Some will come one night to the mission to please a family member but they have no interest. Their vision is clouded. "Open our eyes Lord we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch him and say that we love him." I want to experience more of his love, more of his grace and person in my life. God said of the Laodicean church in Revelation 3 verse 17 "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked." Maybe the Lord has been working in your heart and mind. You are thinking of salvation matters. You see all that is going on in the world and are saying "I need Jesus in my life." You have realised that Jesus is coming again and you don't want to be left behind. Imagine that - some of your family could be left behind. If you hear God's voice don't harden your heart.

The plea from Bartimaeus - verse 47 "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."  This man cries this over and over and over again. He is desperate for the Lord to hear him. Remember when you were desperate for the Lord when you first came to him? This man was specific in his prayer. He didn't waste time. He was looking for mercy. When you want Jesus you will do anything for him. Bartimaeus used his voice and he cried from his heart. He could have left it too late. He could have missed it. He wanted Jesus as Saviour. He wanted his sight but he wanted the Saviour more. Luke gives us some more information on this story in chapter 18 verses 36 and 37. He tells us that someone among the multitudes told him Jesus was passing through. Who was it? Bartimaeus would be forever thankful for that person. We can point to individuals who cared for our souls - Sunday School teachers, Boys Brigade Leaders or Girls Brigade Leaders, work colleagues, neighbours who invited you to come to a mission, gave you a tract or bought you a bible. Bartimaeus would be always grateful for the person who told him Jesus was passing through. Maybe he had heard of Jesus. Maybe he had heard of the dead being raised to life, the demon possessed set free. Maybe you have seen other Christians and wonder if the Lord could do it for them, could he do it for me? Notice in Mark 10 verse 47 he said "Jesus Son of David have mercy on me". Maybe he knew something of the Old Testament scriptures. He acknowledged and was accurate but also arrogant. It was also available. The crowds didn't hold Bartimaeus back. The critics didn't hold Bartimaeus back. His companions didn't hold Bartimaeus back. 

His persistence is seen. Verse 48 "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." What a scene on the Jericho road. Wouldn't you have loved to been there? If you become a Christian the devil will put hindrances in your way. "What will my mates think of me?" Anybody can go with the crowd. Anyone can live with the world. That is why Jesus talked of the broad road and the narrow road. "Many there be that find it." We may think of our family and want them to be in heaven one day with us but make sure you are right with the Lord. I am ultimately responsible for me. This blind man despite the cries to silence him, cried more.

Notice the call of Jesus in verse 49 "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." He hears the call from the creator of the universe. He stands still at the cry of a poor blind beggar. If you get saved it will not make the news headlines in the Belfast Telegraph or the BBC news but it will be recognised in heaven. You have to realise that he is the only one who can save. It says in the bible that the angels in heaven will rejoice and we believe the word of God. That moment a person accepts Christ as Saviour that is what is happening in heaven. To know God, to be right with the Lord - there will be some people who will be delighted but the world doesn't really care. You will know it is real in your heart and that is all that matters. Bartimaeus knew his life is different. In the midst of his sad condition there is a sudden call. "And he, casting away his garment, rose and came to Jesus." Is there something you need to cast aside? In the story of the woman at the well in John 4 she had to leave her waterpot. It was a hindrance to her. She left it behind to go to the city and tell them of Jesus. Bartimaeus got rid of his garment just to get to Jesus. For some it might be a relationship they have to get rid of. For others it is drink. Maybe it is pride. Or friends. These are all hindrances to get us to Jesus. Maybe it is even "I have plenty of time." Verse 51 "And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt 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." What a miracle. Now all of a sudden he can see. He can see the sun, the birds, the flowers, his friends, his family. He can see the place where he always sat begging. Maybe you are crying "I want you Lord, I want your salvation, I want to know my sins forgiven. I have put it off too long." Don't reject it again. Scripture tells us Bartimaeus followed Jesus in the way. The first person he saw was Jesus Christ. His life was never to be the same again. The blind man that saw the light of the world. 

As we think on these bible characters, meditate on them, remember - one day we will see them in heaven. Maybe you have someone already there? Someone that loved the Lord. What a reunion that will be one day. Maybe someone prayed for you. Maybe you had the privilege of a godly home, the best start in life. It is sad that people who are born into a good Christian home have turned their back on God. What is hell going to be like for them? Knowing the gospel from a child and yet turned their back on it. Died without a Saviour. Remembering parents, Sunday School teachers, family who were Christians that wept over them. Pride held them back. Come to the Saviour while he is speaking to you, Make this your night.