Sermon Text: Mark 10: 46-52
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging.
47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Many rebuked him and told 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 to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”
50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Morning Message:
As I started to prepare this message this is the question that came to mind. How can we, mere mortals, get God’s attention? I know that this is a flawed question in many ways because as God’s children I believe that his eyes are constantly upon us. Still, from a human standpoint, the question seems very relevant and worth pursuing. The fact of the matter is that we many times feel disconnected from God, and, while it is always our fault when we feel separated from our creator, it feels like God has withdrawn from us. I always preach to you about the reasons for our lack of closeness to the Lord but today, instead of harping on what we do wrong and how we fall short, I thought that we could examine the positive ways that we can approach God. I believe that our prayer life holds the key to how close our relationship with God is. There is so much richness it the Psalms. If we take the time to study them and let them soak in, they can change our outlook on God and on our lives. Psalm 126 is a wonderful acknowledgement of God’s power and a prayer of praise for answered prayer. The example of Israel, all that this small nation went through because of their turning away from God, and the wonderful way that God never forgot them, forgave them time and time again, and restored them, should be an inspiration for all who worship God.
The response in Psalm 126 is one of surprise, joy, and thankfulness. Now there is no doubt that Israel was brought out of bondage and despair, and it is easier to be grateful and thankful under such circumstances. I wonder though, do we really need to wait until disaster comes upon us to be thankful for God’s blessings? I believe that our true praise gets God’s attention. Many times in the Old Testament we hear God call Israel a stiff necked people. That’s not because they needed a chiropractor; they were stubborn and took God’s blessings for granted. All of the wonderful little details that God took care of in order for their nation to flourish went unnoticed. Life became easy and their worship of God relaxed; moral decay set in and even though they knew this was not what God wanted, they just simply looked the other way. Sound familiar? This is not the way that you want to get God’s attention.
Here is a wonderful promise for all of us when we feel overwhelmed and life is hard. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. God, our God, does not forsake his children. He is always there, waiting, watching, moving, protecting, making a way, loving. When we go through such times, will we continue to do God’s will? Will we sow? Will we continue to plant the seeds of our faith? A reckoning is coming upon this world and great joy, the joy of reaping, the joy that comes at harvest when the work is done and the crops have been gathered. Do you want to feel God’s attention? Do God’s will in the tough times. Don’t allow the struggles of life to take away your effectiveness for Jesus. Be ready, even when the battle of life is upon you to plant seeds of salvation.
Today’s scripture about blind Bartimaeus shows us exactly how to get God’s attention. What did he do when he heard that Jesus was within ear shot? This man is blind, and I can’t imagine the struggles that he has had to endure throughout his life. He is begging beside the road. Most likely he had to have someone help him find the side of the road so that he could be near enough to where people passed by to beg for his living. Yet, he was not curled up in a ball on his couch feeling sorry for himself. Then, even though he could not see Jesus he shouted to get his attention. How about us? Are we willing to shout for Jesus? Well pastor we don’t have to do that, we know God here’s us, and besides we are good Presbyterians, and we don’t do that. People might think that we are Baptists.
This man had faith. Do you know how we know that? Listen to what he said. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” Twice he called out exactly this way. Do you understand the difference between what he is calling out and what the rest of the crowd is yelling? By calling Jesus the Son of David, he is acknowledging that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. If you want God’s attention, acknowledge who he is. He is not the man upstairs; the great grandfather in the sky; he is your Lord and Savior, and we should openly acknowledge him as that. What does Jesus say to this blind man? “Your faith has healed you.” It’s our faith that gets God’s attention. I believe that Jesus could hear this blind man calling before he ever opened his mouth, and he could see him before they brought Bartimaeus to him. When we have a strong faith, a faith build on God’s word, a faith that is working and reaching out no matter what we are going through, we get God’s attention.
In Christ’s Love and Peace
Pastor Bob
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