You Can See and Still Be Blind — Or Be Blind and Still See!
- Sermon By: Caleb Kent
- Categories: Stand Alone
Bible Passage: Mark 10:46-52
You may have eyes, yet miss the truth; be blind, yet see it clear.
I. Introduction:
1. This is the last healing miracle in Mark’s gospel and it takes place near Jericho.
2. There is more than a compassionate healing. The setting in Jericho reminds the reader that Jesus is approaching Jerusalem.
3. The narrative here is not only to emphasize Jesus’ compassion for the lowly and poor but also reminds Mark’s reader that the Messiah from David’s line is about to enter Jerusalem.
4. Something the disciples and the crowd failed to see.
2. There is more than a compassionate healing. The setting in Jericho reminds the reader that Jesus is approaching Jerusalem.
3. The narrative here is not only to emphasize Jesus’ compassion for the lowly and poor but also reminds Mark’s reader that the Messiah from David’s line is about to enter Jerusalem.
4. Something the disciples and the crowd failed to see.
II. You can see and not see or not see but see
1. Blindness is not necessarily defined by having a normal eyesight or vision.
a. Reading at the passage we may think that there is only one person in this incident who is blind but in actual fact there is more than one blind man in this story.
b. Looks like the blind man is the least blind in the entire story.
c. The faith and the spiritual “sight” of the blind men stands in contrast to the spiritual blindness of the disciples.
d. The disciples show themselves to be spiritually blind, and Jesus is trying to let them understand and open their eyes to God’s plan, that Jesus must give his life and likewise, the call for the disciples to take up their cross and follow him.
b. Looks like the blind man is the least blind in the entire story.
c. The faith and the spiritual “sight” of the blind men stands in contrast to the spiritual blindness of the disciples.
d. The disciples show themselves to be spiritually blind, and Jesus is trying to let them understand and open their eyes to God’s plan, that Jesus must give his life and likewise, the call for the disciples to take up their cross and follow him.
2. Restoration of eyesight can be gradual and in stages for Jesus’ disciples.
a. Mark 8:22 Jesus healed the blind man in Bethsaida in two stages, Jesus touches him and he says well I see man walking like trees. And so, Jesus touches him again and then he says, I see everything clearly. Jesus says don’t tell anybody, don’t go into the village and get on your way.
b. Healing of the blind in two stages is an enacted parable to illustrate the spiritual status of the disciples.
c. Blindness to sight, the objective and trajectory of Jesus’s mission.
d. Jesus opens the eyes of blind men at the beginning of this large section (8:22–26) and at the end. This is not simply another healing miracle but it has its implications for discipleship.
b. Healing of the blind in two stages is an enacted parable to illustrate the spiritual status of the disciples.
c. Blindness to sight, the objective and trajectory of Jesus’s mission.
d. Jesus opens the eyes of blind men at the beginning of this large section (8:22–26) and at the end. This is not simply another healing miracle but it has its implications for discipleship.
3. Blind Bartimaeus and his wretched condition but with rich insight
a. Son of David was a Messianic title. They all knew of the promise of God to David that the Messiah would come through his line.
b. Jesus in opening the eyes of the blind, was demonstrating the powers and works of the Messiah.
c. The narrative about Bartimaeus shows us that this blind beggar has more sight than people who have natural physical eyesight.
d. In other words, this blind beggar sees more clearly than those with two normal visions.
b. Jesus in opening the eyes of the blind, was demonstrating the powers and works of the Messiah.
c. The narrative about Bartimaeus shows us that this blind beggar has more sight than people who have natural physical eyesight.
d. In other words, this blind beggar sees more clearly than those with two normal visions.
4. The persistent Bartimaeus – the discouraging crowd but he was not influenced by them
a. The person is desperately trying to reach out to Jesus, yet they were rebuking him for being a nuisance.
b. If they truly saw what the blind man saw about Jesus, they would have interrupted Bartimaeus instead.
c. We can be less sensitive to the people around us who may be crying out deep within for a saviour in their lives, like Bartimaeus.
b. If they truly saw what the blind man saw about Jesus, they would have interrupted Bartimaeus instead.
c. We can be less sensitive to the people around us who may be crying out deep within for a saviour in their lives, like Bartimaeus.
5. Jesus stops for even what seems the most insignificant
a. The crowd thought you should not interrupt Jesus, he is busy on his way for the festival, something far more important to take care of.
b. Jesus is never too busy for those who call on him. He is ready any moment to stop for you.
c. Metaphorically speaking, Jesus is passing through Jericho today, he his passing through us today. There is an opportunity for your life to be completely changed only if you would call out to him.
b. Jesus is never too busy for those who call on him. He is ready any moment to stop for you.
c. Metaphorically speaking, Jesus is passing through Jericho today, he his passing through us today. There is an opportunity for your life to be completely changed only if you would call out to him.
6. Two types of blindness
a. For those who have not encountered Christ, and are still living in the darkness – they are spiritually blind.
b. They are already in Christ but like the healing of the blind man at Bethsaida (8:22-26), they need Jesus’ touch in stages, in order to be fully restored and to see clearly.
b. They are already in Christ but like the healing of the blind man at Bethsaida (8:22-26), they need Jesus’ touch in stages, in order to be fully restored and to see clearly.
7. The act of complete trust and confidence on Jesus
a. The cloak would have been the only possession he had. To cover him in the night, to collect alms in the day. But he didn’t want that to hinder or come his way to meet Jesus.
b. It also signifies a complete trust in Jesus, knowing for sure that he would not need them anymore.
c. Our habits, our own fixed beliefs and stubbornness that can hinder us in giving ourselves completely to Christ.
b. It also signifies a complete trust in Jesus, knowing for sure that he would not need them anymore.
c. Our habits, our own fixed beliefs and stubbornness that can hinder us in giving ourselves completely to Christ.
8. The answer reveals our deepest desire
a. Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?” seems a bit off, as it is obvious for the blind man to ask for sight.
b. But this query makes perfect sense in the context of Mark 10.
c. The disciples want to sit on thrones with Jesus and reign with him in triumph. Bartimaeus sits in the dust, makes no demand for glory, but cries out from his wretched poverty: He only wants to see.
d. The disciples see Jesus as a Messiah who will bring them fame and glory; Bartimaeus sees him as the Son of David who brings him healing and sight.
b. But this query makes perfect sense in the context of Mark 10.
c. The disciples want to sit on thrones with Jesus and reign with him in triumph. Bartimaeus sits in the dust, makes no demand for glory, but cries out from his wretched poverty: He only wants to see.
d. The disciples see Jesus as a Messiah who will bring them fame and glory; Bartimaeus sees him as the Son of David who brings him healing and sight.
9. Bartimaeus models what it should look like to be a disciple
a. The faith is not based on the 4th dimension, name it and claim it. But the substance and the object of his faith is Jesus. Taking him at his word, and believing in the person of Jesus is the faith.
b. Bartimaeus did not go back to the roadside but moved into action after receiving sight, a sign of true Discipleship.
c. There is a clear distinction between Bartimaeus when he was blind, in the street. And Bartimaeus following Jesus along the road when he received his sight.
b. Bartimaeus did not go back to the roadside but moved into action after receiving sight, a sign of true Discipleship.
c. There is a clear distinction between Bartimaeus when he was blind, in the street. And Bartimaeus following Jesus along the road when he received his sight.
III. Lessons: How does it look like to have a real vision/sight?
1. There is an unwavering trust in Jesus like Bartimaeus, the promised Messiah who came to this world to take the sin of the world.
2. When a person accepts the way of the cross, and willingness to carry the cross, follow Christ’ way. It is not always health, wealth, and prosperity – in material terms.
3. When a person is constantly learning, growing, and gaining clarity in different stages. There is a gradual growth in a disciple.
4. When a person is more accommodating, encouraging, less judgemental, and secure in their position in Christ (Unlike the crowd).
5. Having a childlike faith and trust in God’s plan of salvation. There is a room for plain faith and not always rationalizing faith. The Kingdom of God belongs to such as these (10:14).
6. When a person commits to live out Kingdom’s (upside down, last & first) principle. More sacrificial, others focus and not putting oneself at the centre.
7. A person is willing to leave behind everything, detach from the past with an old dirty cloak for survival and follow after Christ.
8. When a person has a single goal and objective to see Christ and live in obedience to His Word. Takes a position after Jesus and follow him.
2. When a person accepts the way of the cross, and willingness to carry the cross, follow Christ’ way. It is not always health, wealth, and prosperity – in material terms.
3. When a person is constantly learning, growing, and gaining clarity in different stages. There is a gradual growth in a disciple.
4. When a person is more accommodating, encouraging, less judgemental, and secure in their position in Christ (Unlike the crowd).
5. Having a childlike faith and trust in God’s plan of salvation. There is a room for plain faith and not always rationalizing faith. The Kingdom of God belongs to such as these (10:14).
6. When a person commits to live out Kingdom’s (upside down, last & first) principle. More sacrificial, others focus and not putting oneself at the centre.
7. A person is willing to leave behind everything, detach from the past with an old dirty cloak for survival and follow after Christ.
8. When a person has a single goal and objective to see Christ and live in obedience to His Word. Takes a position after Jesus and follow him.
Takeaway:
1. Cry out to Jesus and receive your sight, he will certainly stop for you, calling out for you.
2. Sharpen your desire to see clearly, and continue to take position after Jesus (follow him) who continues to work in us to give us clearer vision/sight.
2. Sharpen your desire to see clearly, and continue to take position after Jesus (follow him) who continues to work in us to give us clearer vision/sight.