Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-07-16
LESSON FOR JULY 1ei
BLIND RARTlMAEUs.

deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the
lame man leap as an hart. and the
tongue of the dumb shah sing; for in the
wilderness shall waters break out. and
streams in the desert" lisa. 1915, 6.
On our Lords journey towards Je-
rusalem," the place of sacrifice,
place of power was sought by his dis
ciples, Mark 1927 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: 1904 tells us that there
were two who made the appeal, but
Mark seems to have thought that Bar
timaeus was worthy of special mem
ton. The healing mentioned by Luke
1875 suggests that In that case 1t
occurred SIS Jesus was entering and
not leaving Jericho. Mark is telling of
one man Luke of another.
Mans Nature.
!. Bartmaeus Begging, w 46-43.
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 Gosh GID, and is type OF
this world cursed by sin. He was
blind, see IL Cor A; Rev, 3:17. His
rags suggest lisa. 64:6 and Phil. 3:9.
II 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
such wayside service. 1t 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. 1878; he
called while Christ was near enough.
to hear, lisa $3.50. His cry was that
of conscious need il 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; 1921, o. 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
"Come TO Jesus"
II. Ea-timaeus Blessed, w. 1882.
His command call We 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. 1928. 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. 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
1 buked Bartimaeus. Some who hold
him in reverence and let fail to ap
prehend adequately that he came tc
seek and to save the lost. There il
! no consideration Of policy or of expe
| diency, no question of method, nor the
Importance of rank, that can stand II
the way OF opening blind ges, and an
swering the cry of the beggar
Third. The nature of saving faith
| The answer OF relief from the Lore
| comes in response to the profound con
viction of personal need He came
not to call the righteous but sinners t.
! repentance There is nothing in tina
| cali to make any definite appeal t
the righteous. A blind man. through
| someone's testimony hears that he il
near and cries out to him from thu
L - L