I Want to See - Takeaways

Mark 10:46–52 | Psalm 23

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“In Mark 10:46–52, we have the story of the blind beggar Bartimaeus. As Jesus is leaving Jericho, the beggar cries for help. The crowd attempts to silence him. He has to exhibit great faith in Jesus to overcome the crowd.”

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“Bartimaeus spontaneously leaps up and abandons his cloak when he is told that Jesus has called him. This is probably the only possession he has besides the clothes on his back. Yet, he was so convinced when Jesus called him that he would be given sight that he did not even worry about his possessions. His spontaneous enthusiasm provides a counterpoint to the fear, silence, and hesitation with which the Twelve disciples follow Jesus into Jerusalem.”

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“This healing is symbolic of one being healed of spiritual blindness. The disciples need to be healed of their spiritual blindness. They have been arguing about who is the greatest. They need to realize what is really important as they go into Jerusalem during the passion and Jesus’ eventual death. Bartimaeus leads the way for them.”

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“Psalm 23 resounds with confidence about our safekeeping but it’s not the green pastures and still waters that ensure that. A courageous shepherd does.”

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“People willing to put themselves in danger for people they did not know possess two traits in abundance: risk tolerance and compassion.”

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“Like Bartimaeus and Martin Luther, we need to have faith in what Jesus Christ will do in our lives. We must remember we can never do it on our own. We must be willing to take personal risk and have compassion for others. We must be willing to throw off our cloak and follow Jesus wherever he leads us.”