The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1914-07-17

On our Lords journey towards Je
rusalem,' the place OF sacrifice, a
place OF power Was sought by his lis
cipies, Mark 1887. This lesson 10 an
illustration given to those who Accom-"
panied Jesus how they toe may reach
a place OF power, viz. through service
and sacrifice.
Matthew 20: 3N34 tells us that there
were two who made the appeal, but
Mark seems to have though that Bar
timaeus was worthy OF special men
ton. The healiGg mentioned by Luke
1898 suggests that In that case II
occurred an jesus was entering n
aot leaving Jericho. Mark Ia telling OF
one man, Luke Ut another.
Mani Nature,
l. Harttmaeus Begging, w asA&
The passing throng rebuked the beg
gar, Very likely tho disciples joined
In this rehuke. This certainly shows
the fact that none OF them fully com
pretended the Lords teaching AZ sug-
gested In Mark l0;ab. Bartimaeus 10
an illustration Of man by nature, Ills
home, Jericho. was the city under "a
curse Gosh GID, and 10 a type OF
this world cursed by sin. He was
blind, see II Cor. "A; Rev. 3:17, His
rags suggest lsa, 64:6 and Phil, s:s.
II the rebuks wal mainly by the dis
ciplee II was that they might save tho
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 a wayside service, 1t was a glad
message to Bartimaeus. Jesus OF M
zareth passeth by" There was no
ono else who could help him. Some
one had told him Of the power Oh
Jesus. Now his opportunity is at hand.
he must not miss It. Jesus never
passed that way again. Bartimae1is
began by crying out, Rom. 1913: no
called while Christ was near enough.
to hear, lisa $3.50. His cry was that
of conscious need, 1t was direct, II
was i~nsistent. He called Jesus Son
OF David ., g., the Messiah, although
tho people had said Jesus Of Naza'
reth," SEQ Matt. 9:27; 1921. az. His
cry for mercy" IL rebuked, Many to-
day are 80 stif and formal as 10 frown
dpop any religious enthusiasm or ear
nestness. It 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 rebuksd him w
crying "the more q great deal" He
would not be put on.
II. BartImaeus Blessed, W. 49-o2.
His command call ye him Ii indica.
tive OF the conscious power OF Christ.
Notice his great interest a. suggested
by the words, Jesus stood still" Re.
member his important mission to Jer
rusalem and the leaders Of the people
who occupied his time; yet he does not
compel Bartimaeus to follow after, nor
to oyertake him ere his prayer ID an
swered. see Matt. 11:28. This was
good news for the disciples TO pro.
claim, Matt. 2s:19,20 There wal no
indecision on the part Of Bartimaeus.
Casting his garment aside he sprans
up, came and cast himself at the feet
OF Jesus, Although Jesus possessed
all power still its manifestation WA
confined to the desire Of the beggsr,
We have nc suggestion Of any further
controversy after the command TO cal
Bartimaeus. No further objections
or speculations are raised. He sim
|, ply came to Jesus" The garment be
|, threw aside would have impeded hii
progress, lisa. sat; 64:6; Heb. l2:2
Before the cry has been for mercy
now II 10 for sight. This he received
!, IN to his faith, THY faith
hath saved thee" r. v. Notice he II
i saved ". 62) made whole" before b
. received his sight. Society will b
: saved only az individuals are mrs
made whole Our Lords responsa
/, vas 70 the cry Of need and the &C
acknowledgement Of his Messianic Office
The Teaching: First, the readiness
| OF Gods mercy. Jesus had been reject
ed BY rulers and councils and is mo
ing "steadfastly' toward the consum
nation OF his earthly career. Tha
+ Journey led him through Jericho. per
+ haps that he might meet Bartimaeun
At Jerusalem he ID to pronounce sen
tence upon the rebellion Of his people
Nevertheless when one Of that sam'
. people called him by the title tina
suggested his M~essiahship. Son o
I David" he Immediately turned asid'
In response thereto, Heb. 3:2. Coz
never destroys the righteous with tn
wicked or the repentant with the re
bellious. His ear is v o open to tn
4 faintest cry.
Second. The failure OF men TO az
prehend this fact, There are many e
h day az SUCCESSORS Of those who n
buked Bartimaeus. Some who hol
him In reverence and yet fail to ak
prehend adequately that he came 7
"seek and to save the lost" Thcre !
no consideration Of policy or Of exp'
q diency, no question Of method, o tn
Importance OF rank, that q stand
g the way Of opening blind eyes. and 81
r swering the cry Of the beggar.
Third. The nature OF saving faitl
The answer OF relief from the Lor
comes In response to the profound col
yiction OF personal need. He cam
not To call the righteous but sinners !
!. repentance" There Is nothing In thi
call to make any definite appeal !
the righteous. A blind man. throug
someone's testimony hears that he
!. near and cries nj to him from u
depths Of his need. But there must !
y 49, r~aoo0rytton NJ uOWer. Bart