The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-07-16
LESSON FOR JULY 10
BLIND BARTiMAEUe.
ssoN TExT-nars 10 a IA

blind shall be opened. and the ears OF the
deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the
lame man leap AZ an hart and tho
tongue of the dumb shall sing; for In tho
wilderness shali waters break out. and
streams In tho desert" lisa 1b.
On our Lords Journey towards Je-
rusalem." the place Of sacrifice.
place OF power was sought by his dis
ciples, Mark 1887. This lesson In 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: 3O34 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 II
occurred as Jesus was entering and
not leaving Jericho. Mark Is telling of
one man, Luke Of another
Mans Nature.
T. Bartimaeus Begging. w 464a
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 1915. Bartimaeus In
an illustration OF man by nature. His
home, Jericho. was the city under "A
curse" Josh GID, and II a type OF
this world cursed by sin. He was
blind, see II Cor -. Rev 3:i7. His
rags suggest lisa. 81 9 and Phil 80.
II the rebuke was mainly by the dis
ciples Il 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 q wayside service. II was a glad
message TO Bartimaeus, Jesus OF Ma
Iareth passeth by" There was no
one else who could help him. Some
one had told him Of the power OF
Jesus. Now his opportunity In at hand.
he must not miss Il Jesus never
passed that way again. Bartimaeus
began by crying out, Rom. 1913: he
10 hear. lisa. b5:s. His cry was that
OF conscious need. II was direct, II
was insistent. lie called Jesus Son
OF David" g. r., the Messiah. although
the people had said Jesus OF Mana
reth." see Matt. s:27; 1921, 20. His
cry for mercy" In rebuked. Many to-
day are 30 stir and formal IA TO frown
upon any religious enthusiasm or ear
nestness. II Was not beneath the dig
nifty OF Jesus TO be- disturbed by
blind beggar. Though poor In purse
Bartimasus was rich In faith for he
answered those who rebuked him by
crying the more a great deal" lie
would not be put on.
"Come TO Jesus"
10. Bartimaeus Blessed, w. 1852.
His command "call ye him" Ia 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 no does not
compel Bartimaeus TO follow after. nor
TO overtake him ere his prayer Is an
svered, see Matt ll;2s. This was
good news for the disciples TO pro-
claim. Matt. 2s:l9,20 There was no
indecision on the part OF Bartimaeus.
Casting his garment aside he sprang
up. came and cast himself at tho 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 Ia 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 In 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
"'eh7o VI eho h0pthsaht WIN hho "
bellious. His ear IL ever open to tho
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 aAd yet fail to APP
preheDd adequately that no came TO
seek and 10 save the lost. There Is
no consideration OF policy or OF expe-
diency. no question OF method. nor tho
importance OF rank. that can stand In
the way OF opening blind eyes. and an
swerlng the cry OF the beggar.
Third. The nature OF saving faith.
Tho answer OF relief from the Lord
comes In response TO tho profound con-
viction OF personal need. -He came
not to call the righteous but sinners to
repentance" There is nothing In that
call 10 make any definite appeal TO
the righteous. A blind man, through
testimony hears that he Is
near and cries out TO him from the
depths OF his need. But there must Do
also recognition OF power Barh
maeus had no assurance until he haa
made his appeal; he took chance as
II were. He was not assured unli
bis eyes we're opened.