The Brinkley argus., 1914-07-17
LESSON FOR JULY 1s
BLIND sARTIMAEUs.


 GOLDEN TExT-"Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert" Isa. 35:5. (.
 On our Lords Journey towards Je- rusalem," the place of sacrifice, a place of power was sought by his dis ciples, Mark 10:37. This lesson is an illustration given to those who accom- panied Jesus how they too may reach a place of power, viz. through service and sacrifice.
 Matthew 20: 3034 tells us that there were two who made the appeal, but Mark seems to have thought that Bar timaeus was worthy of special men, tion. The healing mentioned by Luke 1895 suggests that in that case 1t occurred as Jesus was entering and not leaving Jericho. Mark is telling of one man, Luke of another.
 Mans Nature.
 l. Bartimaeus Begging, w 46-48. The passing throng rebuked the beg gar. Very likely the disciples joined in this rebuke. This certainly shows the fact that none of them fully com prehended the Lords teaching as sug- gested in Mark 10:45. Bartimaeus is an illustration of man by nature. His home, Jericho, was the city under "a curse' (Josh GID, and is type of this world cursed by sin. He was blind, see II Cor. A; Rev. 3:17. His rags suggest Isa. 64:6 and Phil. 3:9. If the rebuke was mainly by the dis. ciples it was that they might save the master during these strange days. Great and marvellous were the works and teachings he was performing, but these were the things that called forth rsuch a wayside service. It was a glad message to Bartimaeus, Jesus of Ma zareth passeth by" There was no one else who could help him. Some one had told him of the power of Jesus. Now his opportunity is at hand, he must not miss it. Jesus never passed that way again. Bartimaeus began by crying out, Rom. 10: 13; he called while Christ was near enough. to hear, Isa. 55:6. His cry was that of conscious need, it was direct, 1t was insistent. He called Jesus Son of David" e. g., the Messiah, although the people had said Jesus of Naza- reth,' see Matt. 9:27; 15:21, 22. His cry for mercy is rebuked. Many to- day are so stiff and formal as to frown upon any religious enthusiasm or ear nestness. It was not beneath the dig nity of Jesus to be disturbed by blind beggar. Though poor in purse Bartimaeus was rich in faith for he answered those who rebuked him by crying "the more great deal. He would not be put off
 "Come to Jesus"
 II. BartImaeus Blessed, w. 49-52. His command "call ye him" is indica- tive of the conscious power of Christ. Notice his great interest as suggested by the words, Jesus stood still" Re member his important mission to Je- rusalem and the leaders of the people who occupied his time; yet he does not compel Bartimaeus to follow after, nor to overtake him ere his prayer is an swered, see Matt. 11:28. This was good news for the disciples to pro claim, Matt 2S:19,20. There was no indecision on the part of Bartimaeus. Casting his garment aside he sprang up, came and cast himself at the feet of Jesus. Although Jesus possessed all power still It's manifestation was confined to the desire of the beggar.
 The Teaching: First, the readiness of Gods mercy. Jesus had been reject ed by rulers and councils and is nov ing ''steadfastly' toward the consum- nation of his earthly career. That journey led him through Jericho, per haps that he might meet Bartimaeus. At Jerusalem he Is to pronounce sen tence upon the rebellion of his people. Nevertheless when one of that same people called him by the title that suggested his Messiahship. Son of David he immediately turned aside in response thereto, Heb. 3:2. God never destroys the righteous with the wicked or the repentant with the re bellious. His ear is ever open to the faintest cry.
 Second. The failure of men to ap- prehend this fact. There are many to- day as successors Of those who re- buked Bartimaeus Some who hold him in reverence and yet fail to ap- prehend adequately that he came to seek and to save the lost There is no consideration of policy or of expe- diency, no question of method, nor the importance of rank, that can stand in the way of opening blind eyes, and an swering the cry Of the beggar.
 Third. The nature of saving faith. The answer of relief from the Lord comes in response to the profound con viction of personal need "He came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance" There is nothing in that call to make any definite appeal to the righteous. A blind man, through someone's testimony hears that he is near and cries out to him from the depths of his need But there must be also recognition of power Barti- maeus had no assurance until he had made his appeal. he took chance as 1t were He was not assured until As eyes wers opened.
  Worlds Principal Want. know few wants that press upon our modern life with more immediate