The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-07-14
LESSON FOR JULY 10
BLIND RARTIMAEus.
SON rExT-Mark 1o:4s.52.

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" lisa. 35:5, g.
rusalem," the place of sacrifice, a
place of power was sought by his dis
ciples. Mark 1887. This lesson is an
illustration given to those who accom-
panied Jesus how they too may reach
place of power, viz, through service
and sacrifice.
Matthew 20:30-34 tells us that there
were two who made the appeal, but
Mark seems to have thought that Bar
timaeus was worthy of special men,
ton. The healing mentioned by Luke
1885 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.
]. Bartimaeus Begging, w 4648-
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
pretended 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. IA; Rev 3:17. His
rags suggest lisa. 64:6 and Phil $50.
If the rebuke was mainly by the dis
ciples twas 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
such wayside service. 1t was a glad
message to Bartimaeus, Jesus of Ma
zareth basseth 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. 1913; he
called while Christ was near enough.
to hear, lisa. 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 Maya
reth," see Matt. 9:27; 1921, 20. His
cry, for mercy is rebuked. Many to-
day are SO stiff and formal as to frown
upon any religious enthusiasm or ear
nestness. 1t was not beneath the dig
nifty Of Jesus to be disturbed by a
blind beggar. Though poor in purse
Bartimaeus was rich in faith for he
answered those who rebuked him by
crying ''the more a great deal" He
would not be put off.
"Conne to Jesus"
II. Bartimaeus Blessed, wv. 1882.
His command call We him. is irdica-
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. 11:2S. 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 its 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. So God
never destroys the righteous with the
wicked OF the repentant with the re-
bellious. His ear is ever open to the
IdlnI6SI cry.
Second. The failure of men to APP
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 APP
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
it were. He was not assured until
his eyes were opened