And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” Mark 10:49-51
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 second (of three) division (vv49-51):
- The title of the first division per the commentary is "We Should Never Be So Busy We Cannot Stop and Help."
- "Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem—on the way to die. He is determined to fulfill His destiny. His mind must be racing; His heart is filled to overflowing with sorrow for what awaits Him. We could certainly understand if He just moved on this one time without stopping to help a poor blind man."
- Regardless of all that was likely to be on Jesus' mind, He stopped and helped Bartimaeus.
- "Jesus has heard his cry, and He will stop and meet this man at his point of need, his greatest need!"
- "It is one thing to hear. It is another thing to listen. Some of us are good at neither! Some of us are good at hearing but not listening. Our Lord Jesus is great at both! Jesus then asked Bartimaeus a straightforward question, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' (10:51). This is the same question He has just asked James and John in verse 36. They asked for the best seats in the kingdom. Bartimaeus, in radical and stark contrast, has a much more humble request: 'I want to see!'"
- The commentary refers to another scholar on Mark (James Edwards), who shares that "[t]he Sons of Thunder asked for extraordinary glory, Bartimaeus asked only for ordinary health.”
- We are referred to additional text where the Word shares how Jesus hears and responds to our cries and prayers: Psalm 17:6, 54:2, 71:2, James 5:16.
Life feels crazy and hectic but we must rest from the daily hustle and bustle of life to most importantly make time for God but also to make time for the needs we see - they are everywhere! Also, God seeks from us the same humble and desperate faith as Bartimaeus. We all sin and need a savior. We all have physical, emotional, and spiritual needs - as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus meets them all and He saves! We must go to Jesus daily and cry out have mercy on me and help my unbelief!
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that holds the entire universe in Your Hands and despite Your lofty position sitting at the right hand of God, You reached down to the pit while I was still sinning, hostile and an enemy to You, You saved me and made me part of Your family and kingdom. Thank You Jesus for having mercy on me and for pouring out these mercies daily in an inexhaustible supply! I am not deserving...my sin continues and it is great. 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.
