JESUS IS THE SOLUTION
Our society is quickly sinking into the quicksand of moral decay. Appreciating the many crises that plague the United States does not take much news intake. The rapid decline in sexual morality is one of the most striking examples. The LGBTQ movement, especially with the activist transgender faction, are curses on the United States and the world. The transgender rhetoric is blasphemy against a holy and just God who made humans male and female.
So, what is the solution to this grievous sin problem? The solution for about the past 2000 years is still the same today: preach the message of salvation through Jesus. It is the message Jesus proclaimed early on in His earthly ministry as recorded by Mark 1:15 (NET, boldfacing added)
15 He said, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the gospel!”
If you have never responded to Jesus’ call to repent and believe, please pay careful attention to the narrative of Jesus’ encounter with Bartimaeus the blind beggar as recorded in Mark 10:46-52.
THE TEXT – MARK 10:46-52
Let’s stand out of respect for God’s Word as we read Mark 10:46–52 (NET):
46 They came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many scolded him to get him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man and said to him, “Have courage! Get up! He is calling you.” 50 He threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied, “Rabbi, let me see again.”52 Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has healed you.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the road.
VERSE-BY-VERSE OF MARK 10:46-52: THE ACCOUNT OF BLIND BARTIMAEUS
Introduction
Let’s venture verse-by-verse through the true account of blind Bartimaeus’ encounter with Jesus Christ the Son of God, the Jewish Messiah.
Verse 46
Verse 46 (NET) sets the stage for Jesus’ encounter with Bartimaeus, and it reads:
46 They came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road.
Bartimaeus was a “blind beggar.” In Jesus’ day, blindness was common because of various diseases and sanitary conditions. It was not uncommon to see a blind man like Bartimaeus begging along the side of the road. However, a blind man did not have much of a future. Most likely, he would never have had a job, or a home of his own. Bartimaeus depended on the generosity of others to survive.
People had grown so used to seeing him by the side of the road that they no longer acknowledged him and didn’t give him a second thought. Bartimaeus and the other beggars were part of the city’s background. Unless someone intervened in a mighty way, a blind beggar’s life was a life without much hope.
And, as we will see, Bartimaeus’ blindness is a good representation of every person who has not obeyed Jesus’ call in Mark 1:15 to repent and believe in the gospel. If you have not obeyed Jesus’ call, you are a sinner who is lost in your sin and bound for hell. You have no hope like blind Bartimaeus. But, like for blind Bartimaeus there is hope through your upcoming encounter with Jesus Christ!
Verses 47-48
Jesus was well into His earthly ministry when He encountered Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, on the road out from Jericho. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus had healed all kinds of people with diseases and conditions. He had performed all kinds of miracles. Large crowds followed Jesus wherever He went. That day, people knew who Jesus was and that He could dramatically change a person’s life.
The biblical account confirms for us that Bartimaeus knew who Jesus was and what Jesus could do for him. And because of what he knew, when Bartimaeus learned that Jesus was passing by, he took action. Verse 47 (NET) tells us:
47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
This verse tells us much about what Bartimaeus knew and believed about Jesus. We first learn that someone had told Bartimaeus that Jesus was coming along the road because the verse begins with the phrase “When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene.” Someone told him that Jesus was near.
And this was not just any “Jesus’, but it was “Jesus the Nazarene.” Bartimaeus knew Jesus was the One who could heal his blindness and his lostness, and we know this from what Bartimaeus cried out.
Bartimaeus believed that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah because he called Jesus by the Messianic title “Son of David.” It is important to remember that Jesus did not dispute Bartimaeus’ use of that Messianic title.
When Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus to “have mercy on me,” he signaled that he knew that Jesus the miracle working healer could heal him of his physical blindness, and more importantly, that Jesus the Messiah could heal him of his spiritual blindness.
Even as you read this article, Jesus Christ is here today. Jesus available right now to save you from an eternity in hell and give you an eternity in heaven.
So who is Jesus? The well-known verse John 3:16 (NET) tells us that:
16 For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
And 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (NET) tells us a little more about Jesus:
3 For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received—that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, 4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures,
What these passages teach us is that in His great love, God became a man in Jesus, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross, thus fulfilling the law Himself and taking on Himself the punishment for the sins of all those who would ever repent of their sins and trust only in Jesus’ finished work on the Cross. Jesus rose from the dead, showing that God accepted Christ’s sacrifice and God’s wrath against those who have believed has been exhausted.
You need to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who can save your soul from death and hell and give you eternal life forever in God’s presence. Like Bartimaeus did, you need to act while Jesus is near.
Verse 48 teaches us that many people opposed Bartimaeus when he called out to Jesus. Verse 48 reads:
48 Many scolded him to get him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Bartimaeus shows his persistent and deep faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah who could heal him both spiritually and physically. In the face of opposition, he cried “Have mercy on me, Son of David!”
Like Bartimaeus, you too may experience opposition to calling on Jesus. Friends may laugh at you. Earlier disappointments with Christians may discourage you and cause you to question the Christian faith. But, remember your faith must be in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, not people. Maybe your pride keeps you from showing your need for salvation. Do not allow anything keep you from gaining eternal life through repentance and trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Today may be the greatest opportunity you have ever had because you have the opportunity to gain eternal life.. To ignore this opportunity is to continue on the road to hell. Today is the day of salvation. When God calls, you cannot delay. Isaiah 55:6 (NET) tells us:
6 Seek the Lord while he makes himself available; call to him while he is nearby!
The time is now for you to cry out to Jesus to give you eternal life.
Verses 49-50
Verse 49 tells us that Jesus heard Bartimaeus cries and called him to him:
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man and said to him, “Have courage! Get up! He is calling you.”
Can you imagine Bartimaeus’s excitement knowing that Jesus the Messiah, the One who could give him eternal life and his physical sight, is calling him.
Just think that Jesus loved a blind beggar, an outcast of Jewish society, so much that He was willing to stop and call Bartimaeus to Him. This becomes even more amazing when we consider that at this time Jesus was on His way to the Jewish Passover in Jerusalem when in about one week He would be crucified on the Cross.
Remember, Jesus is alive! Jesus loves you just as much as He loved Bartimaeus, the blind beggar. Every lost person here must appreciate that Jesus calls lost people to Himself. Every lost person reading this article is either now experiencing or will experience the tug on their heart of Jesus’ words to Bartimaeus “He is calling you.”
Notice also that the people told Bartimaeus to “have courage” and “get up.” For many people whom Jesus calls, they are reluctant to respond. Yet, because this opportunity may not always be present, right now is the time to have courage, get up, and go to Jesus. The time is now to respond to Jesus’ call.
Verse 50 tells us that Bartimaeus wasted no time in going to Jesus:
50 He threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
To get to Jesus, Bartimaeus did three things. First, he threw off his cloak. A cloak was a valuable possession for a blind beggar like Bartimaeus. It kept him warm. By throwing it off, there was a good chance he would not be able to find it again if Jesus did not give him his sight. Someone could take it and the valuable possession with which he used to stay warm would be gone, and most likely, he did not have the means to replace. Notwithstanding the risk by throwing off his cloak, he removed one encumbrance of him going to Jesus.
Second, he jumped up. Unless he was on his feet, there was no way he could go to Jesus.
Third, he took the life-saving action described in the text that he “came to Jesus.”
Bartimaeus took a huge risk when he went to Jesus, but he felt it was worth it. Bartimaeus was willing to pay whatever price was necessary just to get to Jesus who he knew was the Jewish Messiah who could give him his spiritual sight and his physical sight.
The same may be for you. You need to set aside whatever hinders you from going to Jesus. You should not finish this article under the impression that trusting in Christ is without cost. Sometimes the cost is very high with the loss of family members and friends because of your trust in Christ. Obviously, there is a relinquishment of sin some of which may have become very dear. However, the cost to follow Christ is infinitely cheap when compared to the worth of your soul as Mark 8:36–37 (NET) points out:
36 For what benefit is it for a person to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his life? 37 What can a person give in exchange for his life?
Like Bartimaeus, you need to cast aside any encumbrances, jump up and go to Jesus because He is calling you!
After Bartimaeus came to Jesus, Jesus asked Bartimaeus what He could do for him. Mark 10:51a reads:
51a Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
Note that it was Jesus who asked what He, Jesus, could do for Bartimaeus. It was only Jesus who could save Bartimaeus soul and it was only Jesus who could give him physical sight. Bartimaeus did not hesitate to respond as described by verse 51b:
51b The blind man replied, “Rabbi, let me see again.”52 Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has healed you.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the road.
The Greek word the NET translates as “Rabbi [Rabbouni in the HCSB translation]” is a transliteration of an Aramaic word, a strengthened form of Rabbi. In Jewish literature, the word “rabbouni” is seldom used regarding humanity, and practically speaking never as a form of address. However, it is frequently used as an address to God in prayer. Bartimaeus’ use of the word “Rabbouni” suggests that Bartimaeus knew that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, the Jewish Messiah.
Jesus did not delay in answering his request as verse 52 tells us:
52 Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has healed you.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the road.
This verse idenitifies four basic events. First, Jesus told Bartimaeus to “Go” This phrase does not mean that Jesus was dismissive of Bartimaeus. It tells us that Jesus did not require Bartimaeus to do anything to receive healing. It is a clear picture of Ephesians 2:8–9 (NET):
8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast.
Second, Jesus told Bartimaeus that faith was the basis for his healing. The NET translates the Greek word pistis as “faith” and it is the same word used to refer to saving faith in many passages.
The NET translates the Greek verb sozo as “has healed.” In addition to physical healing, this verb can also refer to salvation. The gospel writer probably intended a double meaning. Bartimaeus was healed physically and saved spiritually.
Third, immediately Bartimaeus received his sight. Jesus did not delay with healing Bartimaeus both spiritually and physically. Salvation is not some “jump through the hoops” exercise. It is an instantaneous one-time event.
Fourth, even though Jesus told Bartimaeus that he could go his way, Bartimaeus followed Jesus “on the road.” The fact that Bartimaeus followed Jesus to Jerusalem implied that Jesus saved Bartimaeus.
The statement certainly means that Bartimaeus joined with the other pilgrims in accompanying Jesus on the road to Jerusalem. Also, “following him on the road” is a technical term for discipleship.
Jesus transformed Bartimaeus from a beggar beside the road (v. 46) to a disciple on the road (v. 52) and serves as a graphic picture of conversion.
And today, it is only Jesus who can save your soul. Acts 4:12 (NET) makes that clear:
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved.”
You ask, “what must I do to have eternal life?”
You must acknowledge to God that you are a sinner and repent of your sin. To repent of your sin means more than you are sorry for your sins, but that you are deeply remorseful enough to turn away from your sin and toward God so that you do not live in your sins any more.
By faith you must trust ONLY in the fact that Jesus, who was sinless, died as the sacrifice for the forgiveness of your sins and that God raised Him from the dead showing that Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient payment to God the Father so that you may have eternal life. Then ask Jesus to come into your heart as your Lord and Savior.
If are ready to change your eternal destiny, say this prayer and mean it from the bottom of your heart and you will be saved forever:
Lord, Jesus Christ, the only unique Son of God, thank You for Your free gift of eternal life. I know I’m a sinner who cannot save myself no matter what I do, and I deserve to spend eternity in hell. But, I know that because You loved me so much, You voluntarily died on the cross for me taking my sins upon Yourself, and You physically bodily rose from the grave showing that Your sacrificial death was sufficient payment to give me eternal life in Heaven. I now repent of my sins and completely trust alone in what You did for my eternal salvation. Please take control of my life as I now receive You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You so much for saving me. I am now Yours forever!
If you want to read more about salvation through Jesus Christ, please continue reading.
IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT YOUR SALVATION
If you are unsure about your salvation, you need to check out my book The Salvation Meter: Biblical Self-Diagnostic Tests to Examine Your Salvation and Spiritual Growth (book link at Xulon Press: https://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781662828638 ). At Amazon the book link is https://www.amazon.com/Salavation-Meter-Biblical-Self-Diagnostic-Spiritual/dp/1662828632 . I also have a website in which I am updating the content in the book. The link to my website for the book is https://thesalvationmeter.com .
If what I wrote still does not make any sense or cause you rethink your spiritual condition, it is vital that you (1) read through “God’s Plan of Salvation” so you can understand what God did for you through His only unique Son, Jesus Christ, and (2), from the bottom of your heart, pray the “Sinner’s Prayer” meaning every word. If you do, you will be reconciled to God – saved – through Jesus Christ.
God’s Plan of Salvation
In the beginning, God, who is holy, created the entire universe. As a part of His creative actions, He made humans (male and female) in His image to know Him. For a while, everything was right between God and our ancestors, Adam and Eve. But Adam and Eve sinned, whereby sin was passed down to all of humankind so that we became sinners separated from God. Nothing we could do on our own could bridge that separation so that without God’s intervention, hell would be our eternal destination.
Fortunately for us, in His great love and mercy God provided humankind with the only means of salvation, which is through Jesus Christ who is God’s only unique Son. While retaining His deity, God the Son became a man in Jesus, lived a perfect life, and died a substitutionary atoning death on the cross, thus fulfilling the law Himself and taking on Himself the punishment for the sins of all those who would ever repent and trust in Him for their salvation. Jesus rose from the dead, showing that God the Father accepted Christ’s sacrifice and exhausted God’s wrath against every believer. He now calls all unbelievers to repent of their sins and trust alone in what Christ did to save them.
If we repent of our sins and completely trust in Christ alone that He died for our sins and rose to life from the dead, we are born again into a new life, an eternal life with God.
Scripture References: Genesis 1:1, 26, 31; Habakkuk 1:13; Genesis 2:7-25; Genesis 3:1-7, 22-24; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:19-20, 23; 5:17-19; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; Matthew 1:18, 20, 24-25; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 2:17; 9:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 John 4:10; John 3:16-18; Mark 1:15; Acts 17:30; 26:20; Romans 1:4; 4:25; John 3:5-8; 1 Peter 1:3.
“Sinner’s Prayer”
Lord, Jesus Christ, the only unique Son of God, thank You for Your free gift of eternal life. I know I’m a sinner who cannot save myself no matter what I do, and I deserve to spend eternity in hell. But, I know that because You loved me so much, You voluntarily died on the cross for me taking my sins upon Yourself, and You physically bodily rose from the grave showing that Your sacrificial death was sufficient payment to give me eternal life in Heaven. I now repent of my sins and completely trust alone in what You did for my eternal salvation. Please take control of my life as I now receive You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You so much for saving me. I am now Yours forever!
(Scripture references: John 1:1-4, 11-14; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-26; Isaiah 53:4-6; Mark 1:15; Acts 16:31; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-10, 13; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; John 10:27-29).
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