And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Mark 10:46-52

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Mark 10:47-48

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 10:46-52, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: True to His Word (v45) where Jesus shares how He came to serve, Jesus sought those who needed both a physical and spiritual healing.  While many sought to silence Bartimaeus, Jesus sought to see and speak to him.  See vv49.  Jesus goes even further, asking Bartimaeus what He can do for him.  Jesus gives Bartimaeus what He seeks - his sight.  Jesus attributes this miracle to Bartimaeus' faith that he could be healed - this is what God seeks from us - faith and belief that God can do anything, that we can bring any request to God we seek - not that He will grant it but that we have faith that He is able.   
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: We should not presume that we know Jesus'  intentions. See v48 where many rebuked Bartimaeus for calling out to Jesus - the assumption is that those rebuking Bartimaeus might not have felt Bartimaeus was worthy of an encounter with Jesus....or that they somehow knew that Jesus did not want such an encounter. People often claim to know God's will - without truly knowing God.  Also, Bartimaeus was desperate, hence he cried out to Jesus to have mercy on him - twice - see vv47-48.  Bartimaeus believed that he somehow deserved his blindness - as he asked for mercy, which is different than compassion.  We all need mercy because we should be reminded that we all sin and the wages of sin are death (Romans 3:23, 6:23).  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We can only know God's will if we submit to Him, and allow Him to direct our steps and plans - see Proverbs 16:9, 19:21, 20:24. We can take comfort that our faith can make us well - v52 - whether it be during this life or in Heaven when all believers receive their Heavenly boy and are healed from all earthly infirmities. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that serves and heals - You are able of all things and You are worthy of all praise, honor, and glory.  Thank You for my salvation and for the mercies and blessings You pour out every single day for me.  I am not deserving.  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.