May 6th, 2012

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Your Faith will Heal You (Mark 10:46-52)
46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the 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.
Let's learn from Bartimaeus (1) - He cried out for help (46, 47)
46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the 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!"
 
Let's learn from Bartimaeus (2) - He didn't stop when others rebuked him (48)
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
 
Jesus' answer (1) - He called to Bartimaeus (49)
49 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you."
 
Let's learn from Bartimaeus (3) - He jumped to his feet and ran to Jesus (50)
Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
 
Jesus' answer (2) - He asked what he wanted (51a)
"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him.
 
Let's learn from Bartimaeus (4) - He told Jesus what he wanted (51b)

The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."
 
Jesus' answer (3) - He commanded him (52a)
"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you."
 
Let's learn from Bartimaeus (5) - He followed Jesus (52b)
Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
 
Summary
Faith is believing that Jesus is Lord, trusting in his care, and following him. This faith becomes the main source of life and power in our lives. Bartimaeus had faith and longed for healing. Jesus responds to faith like his. Jesus' response goes beyond meeting our immediate needs and invites us to accept his direction and mission for our lives.

For Discussion

1) Why did people rebuke Bartimaeus and tell him to stop?
2) What does it mean for someone to be healed by faith?