And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way. Mark 10:52
I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark. Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:46-52. Excerpts from the commentary's third (of three) division (vv49-51):
- The title of the third division per the commentary is "Never Be Surprised at How the Most Undesirable Respond to Grace."
- The commentary first refers us to Job 42:5 where the text records starting in chapter 26 through 41 (1) Job's response (including his indignant response to God) to his friends whose counsel led Job down a wrong view of God, (2) Elihu's response/rebuke of Job and his friends, (3) Elihu extolling God's greatness and majesty, and (4) finally, God response to Job and his friends. In Job 42:5 we are reminded that Job has a deeply personal encounter with God - just as Bartimaeus does in Mark.
- "Jesus simply and quickly responds to the cry for grace and mercy from the blind beggar, 'Go your way...your faith has healed you.' When Jesus refers to the man’s faith, Jesus is not saying that the man has earned anything....Bartimaeus did not have empty faith. No, Bartimaeus directed his faith to the only One who could heal, the only One who could save!"
- It is noted and emphasized that Bartimaeus followed Jesus and it is implied he did so immediately upon his healing. For anyone that has a deeply personal encounter with Jesus, this is the proper response! He not only saw physically but spiritually his eyes were opened and most importantly his heart!
- "This is the last healing miracle in the Gospel of Mark. It began with His healing a blind man (8:22-26), and it closes with His healing a blind man (10:46-52). But then like Bartimaeus we were all blind until Jesus gave us sight. We were poor beggars until He saved us as our ransom. We brought to Him nothing but our weakness and need, and He graced us with His power and blessing. Praise God Jesus stopped and had time for Bartimaeus. Praise God Jesus had time for you and me!"
If you don't know God or feel pain or hurt and need healing - I urge you to cry out to Jesus as Bartimaeus did to "Son of David [Jesus] have mercy on me!" Confess your sins, have faith and He will hear your cry and save you! Romans 10:10.
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Father God, thank You for hearing my cry to be saved and for saving me. I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
