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Series 6:
Lesson 98: |
MIRACLES
BLIND BARTIMAEUS |
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Passage to Study: Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43.
Read with the class:
Mark 10:46-52.
Memory Text:
Younger children --- Mark 10:52 “Jesus said to him, Go thy way; thy faith hath
made thee whole.”
Youth - Mark 10:52 “Jesus said to him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made
thee whole.
And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.”
OBJECTIVES: To teach that:
1. Like Bartimaeus who lived in the condemned city of Jericho, everyone today
lives in a condemned world.
2. Bartimaeus’ condition did not hinder him from hearing the news that the
Lord Jesus was near.
3. There are people today who discourage others from seeking in Christ the
change they need in their lives.
4. The source of blessing is the Lord Jesus Christ, the One who showed mercy to
the needy without taking into account the social and economic situation of the
individual.
5. The result in the lives of those who are given spiritual vision is that they
follow the Lord Jesus.
SCENE No. 1. VISUAL AIDS: Entrance to the city of Jericho with figures of the
multitude surrounding Jesus, and a figure of Bartimaeus sitting on the side of
the road, with the words written, "Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on
me."
DEVELOPMENT:
Sug. It might be interesting for the older students to be told the story of the
city of Jericho, considered one of the oldest in the world. It was a city
rebuilt under a curse. See Joshua 6:26; 1Kings 16:24.
Cmt. Comparing the other gospels with the story as told in Mark, it would seem
that there were two blind men, but Mark relates only the experience of
Bartimaeus.
Apl. Like Bartimaeus who lived in a city that had been cursed, so the entire
world in which we live is under condemnation. See Romans 3:19.
- The visit of the Lord Jesus to this city is evidence of His mercy.
Apl. It was also mercy that brought Jesus into this lost world to save us.
- Jesus was passing for the last time through Jericho, heading for Jerusalem
where He would be crucified.
- Bartimaeus was unaware of the fact that he would have no further opportunity
to seek the Lord’s mercy and be healed.
- When the opportunity to call on the Saviour presented itself, Bartimaeus took
advantage of it.
Cns. Bartimaeus could not see, but he could hear. He could enquire, and by
so doing, learned that Jesus was passing by (Mark 10:47).
- Bartimaeus probably had heard from others that Jesus performed miracles.
- Blind and poor, Bartimaeus could not hope to be able to help himself, apart
from begging.
Apl. Bartimaeus is a figure of the sinner.
BLIND: he could not appreciate the beauty of the person of the Lord Jesus.
POOR: he had nothing he could offer the Lord. He had to depend on
Christ’s mercy.
Apl. While it is true he was blind and poor, at least he could hear.
Cmt. The story of Bartimaeus is an excellent example of a principle found in
Romans 10:17: “…faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
- Jesus was accompanied by a great multitude whose clamor might have drowned out
Bartimaeus’ voice as he called for mercy.
- Bartimaeus paid no attention to those who tried to silence him. He kept
on calling and his voice was heard by the Saviour who stopped and ordered him to
be called (Mark 10:49).
- The pressing need of Bartimaeus motivated him to ignore those who would have
silenced him.
Apl. When a sinner recognizes his need and urgently desires to be saved, he
finds that Christ is ready to answer.
Apl. The sinner who is desperate to be set free from his burden of sin will not
allow barriers placed by others to hinder him from obtaining salvation.
Cns. Jeremiah 29:13 “and ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall
search for Me with all your heart.”
SCENE No. 2. VISUAL AIDS: Near the city of Jericho, figures of the multitude and Bartimaeus standing before Jesus and the words written: "What wilt thou
that I should do unto you?"
DEVELOPMENT:
Cns. Perhaps the same people who tried to silence him at first were those who
now encourage Bartimaeus to rise and go in answer to the call of the Lord.
Cns. Ponder the possible reasons for which the people tried to silence
Bartimaeus. Was it because:
1) They were selfish?
2) They knew nothing of the mercy of Christ? Salvation is for ALL.
3) They supposed the Lord was as uncaring as they?
Cmt. Whatever their reasons, this experience would teach them a lesson about
mercy and compassion as practised by the Lord Jesus.
Cns. In Mark 10:43-45 Jesus taught His disciples the importance of service.
Now He gives an example of how it is done.
- As he arose, Bartimaeus threw aside his beggar’s cloak, for he had faith
that he would need it no longer. He did not want anything to hinder him
from reaching Christ as soon as possible.
Apl. The sinner that draws near to the Saviour for salvation leaves aside
every attempt to hide his true condition.
- Salvation is not gained by seeking the Lord’s pity. The Lord Jesus
desires to show MERCY.
- Jesus knew what Bartimaeus needed, but He asked what he wanted Him to do.
This would make Bartimaeus think about what he really wanted.
- Bartimaeus had spent much of his life asking for money. He asked Jesus
for his sight.
Apl. An unsaved person’s greatest need is the need to be saved.
All other needs should be treated as unimportant, until that great need is met.
SCENE No. 3. VISUAL AIDS: A road leading out of Jericho with figures of the
multitude and Bartimaeus, no longer blind, talking with Jesus, and hearing Him
say, "Go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole." (Written).
DEVELOPMENT:
- Bartimaeus’ faith brought him into contact with the only person able to meet
his need.
- On receiving his sight, the first object his opened eyes would meet was the
face of the Lord Jesus.
- On giving him sight, Jesus gives him permission to leave. “Go thy
way” (Mark 10:52).
- Bartimaeus wanted to keep close to Jesus, and began following Him immediately.
Apl. Those who know the Lord as Saviour follow Him for they want to be near Him.
Cns. The Lord prefers volunteers rather than conscripts to His work.
- Bartimaeus followed Jesus willingly, glorifying God.
- This miracle caused the people to praise God (Luke 18:43).
Apl. The believer in Christ thanks God for salvation.
Sug. Mention to the students that conversion to Christ produces a new life-style
different to that of unsaved companions. |
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