WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.580 Mark chapter 10 and verse 35. 00:00:02.780 --> 00:00:05.520 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. 00:00:05.700 --> 00:00:09.380 Teacher, they said, we want you to do for us whatever we ask. 00:00:09.580 --> 00:00:11.220 What do you want me to do for you? 00:00:11.359 --> 00:00:11.900 He asked. 00:00:11.900 --> 00:00:17.019 They replied, let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory. 00:00:17.219 --> 00:00:20.660 You don't know what you're asking, Jesus said. 00:00:21.059 --> 00:00:27.280 Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized the baptism I am baptized with? 00:00:27.580 --> 00:00:29.060 We can, they answered. 00:00:29.059 --> 00:00:36.799 Jesus said to them, you will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with. 00:00:37.299 --> 00:00:40.759 But to sit at my right or my left is not for me to grant. 00:00:41.359 --> 00:00:44.460 These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared. 00:00:45.500 --> 00:00:49.719 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 00:00:50.320 --> 00:00:57.439 Jesus called them together and said, you know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord over them 00:00:57.439 --> 00:01:01.039 and their high officials exercise authority over them. 00:01:01.659 --> 00:01:03.439 Not so with you. 00:01:04.399 --> 00:01:08.439 Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. 00:01:08.980 --> 00:01:12.859 And whoever wants to be the first must be slave of all. 00:01:13.299 --> 00:01:20.459 For even the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:01:20.459 --> 00:01:27.819 Then they came to Jericho as Jesus and his disciples together with a large crowd were leaving the city. 00:01:28.280 --> 00:01:35.339 A blind man, Bartimaeus, that is the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside begging. 00:01:36.219 --> 00:01:39.199 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, 00:01:39.379 --> 00:01:42.359 Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me. 00:01:42.359 --> 00:01:50.459 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, son of David, have mercy on me. 00:01:51.700 --> 00:01:54.159 Jesus stopped and said, call him. 00:01:54.980 --> 00:02:01.539 So he called to a blind man, cheer up on your feet, he is calling you. 00:02:02.960 --> 00:02:07.400 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped up to his feet and came to Jesus. 00:02:08.240 --> 00:02:10.139 What do you want me to do for you? 00:02:10.139 --> 00:02:11.939 Jesus asked him. 00:02:12.579 --> 00:02:15.299 The blind man said, Rabbi, I want to see. 00:02:16.759 --> 00:02:21.019 Go, said Jesus, your faith has healed you. 00:02:21.819 --> 00:02:27.099 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. 00:02:27.500 --> 00:02:27.639 Amen. 00:02:29.599 --> 00:02:36.579 So let's, for a very short time, turn back to the chapter we had in Mark chapter 10. 00:02:36.580 --> 00:02:41.020 Like we said, we're just following on from a series over the last few weeks. 00:02:41.160 --> 00:02:47.140 We were following Jesus and his disciples and the crowds around them as they make their way to Jerusalem. 00:02:47.400 --> 00:02:53.020 And today we arrive in verses 46 down to verses 52. 00:02:53.020 --> 00:02:59.980 Before we begin, I want to ask you to think. 00:03:00.439 --> 00:03:02.900 Think just now and think as we go on through this sermon. 00:03:03.640 --> 00:03:07.600 As we look at this passage, as we read and see what happened. 00:03:08.219 --> 00:03:10.040 I want us to think of the question. 00:03:10.640 --> 00:03:13.320 What right now do we want most in the world? 00:03:13.700 --> 00:03:17.980 What right now do you want most in the world? 00:03:17.979 --> 00:03:22.579 If I was to come down to the world and say, right, tell me right now, what do you want? 00:03:22.840 --> 00:03:26.239 What do you want most this very second? 00:03:27.099 --> 00:03:29.739 Whatever you ask for, you will get it, I guarantee you. 00:03:30.439 --> 00:03:33.079 I wonder where our minds go. 00:03:35.799 --> 00:03:38.959 Now, what I actually offer you, I can't offer you very much, unfortunately. 00:03:39.079 --> 00:03:42.780 I can offer you a listening ear and that's about the limit of my abilities. 00:03:42.780 --> 00:03:57.280 But today we see the same incredible question being asked by the one who had and who has all the power of the universe. 00:03:57.900 --> 00:04:00.699 The one who reigns over all things. 00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:03.139 The one who is king over all things. 00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:07.599 He asks the same question in these verses today. 00:04:08.280 --> 00:04:12.460 And he asks this man, what can I do for you? 00:04:12.780 --> 00:04:22.040 So for some context, remember, last Sunday morning we joined Jesus and disciples as they make their way to Jerusalem, like we said. 00:04:22.279 --> 00:04:30.079 And in our section here, they've just been to Jericho and as you see in verse 46, they've come to Jericho and now they're leaving Jericho. 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:34.699 And as they leave Jericho, they encounter this man, Bartimaeus. 00:04:34.699 --> 00:04:44.079 In the previous section, Jesus had been teaching his disciples about humility, teaching them about reminding them again about his death. 00:04:44.379 --> 00:04:46.800 That was coming very soon. 00:04:48.959 --> 00:04:58.139 And now we see a break, if you like, in this teaching where we narrow down in on what took place after they left Jericho. 00:04:58.139 --> 00:05:04.120 They're now roughly 25 miles or so away from Jerusalem. 00:05:05.300 --> 00:05:09.939 Before they get any distance out of Jericho, they meet this man, Bartimaeus. 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:15.860 We can look at these verses in roughly four ways and the verses will overlap. 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:18.479 So it's a very rough structure. 00:05:18.480 --> 00:05:31.379 But first of all, looking at the condition of Bartimaeus, then looking at the call he receives, then looking at his conversion or his change, and then looking at the commission he receives. 00:05:32.200 --> 00:05:39.420 So his condition, his call, his conversion or his change, and then the commission he receives. 00:05:39.420 --> 00:05:45.240 So firstly, looking at the condition of this man. 00:05:46.740 --> 00:05:52.879 It's one of these accounts in scripture that I'm sure most of us have read a hundred times and have heard so much about. 00:05:53.660 --> 00:05:57.860 It's very easy to kind of lose sight of just the reality of what's taking place in these verses. 00:05:58.040 --> 00:05:59.280 This man was a real man. 00:06:00.060 --> 00:06:01.259 Bartimaeus was a real man. 00:06:02.020 --> 00:06:05.240 He's not just here in the text to add a nice story for us. 00:06:05.240 --> 00:06:10.500 This man had a life of suffering, a life of blindness, we presume, his whole life. 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:22.259 And here he is spending every day begging for change, for people passing him by, people who could see the world that he could not. 00:06:22.579 --> 00:06:29.259 And here he is asking them for change, for a few small pennies as they pass him by. 00:06:29.259 --> 00:06:41.839 He sat here on the roadside of this great city, this great trading city, and he's outside by the roadside waiting for a few small pennies. 00:06:44.300 --> 00:06:54.740 The image of Bartimaeus is here, this man, he's holding his hand out into the darkness for him, looking for some help for anyone who's passing him by. 00:06:54.740 --> 00:07:00.519 The ones who walked by him could see the world he could not. 00:07:00.920 --> 00:07:05.660 They had opportunities he could and would never, ever have. 00:07:06.560 --> 00:07:09.379 They could go where they wanted and do what they wanted. 00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:16.259 In a sense, those who passed by Bartimaeus, they lacked nothing in their lives. 00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:25.740 Perhaps they had some issues going on, perhaps they had some worries, but at least their lives were better than this man on the roadside. 00:07:26.539 --> 00:07:29.259 Better than this man who was blind and helpless. 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:35.800 And I wonder how much has changed for us today. 00:07:35.800 --> 00:07:44.540 If we're honest with ourselves, and if we truly are honest right now with ourselves, we are no different. 00:07:45.699 --> 00:07:49.860 Although we do, of course, have many issues and many worries in life, many problems in life. 00:07:50.220 --> 00:07:51.680 Real problems, real worries. 00:07:54.360 --> 00:07:59.360 I'm sure most of us here are pretty content, pretty happy with where we are right now in life. 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:07.280 And somehow in our mind, we're thinking, well, at least we're not as bad as this man by the roadside. 00:08:09.720 --> 00:08:10.420 I'm happy. 00:08:10.580 --> 00:08:11.199 I'm doing okay. 00:08:11.300 --> 00:08:12.319 I've got a decent job. 00:08:12.960 --> 00:08:13.920 A lovely family. 00:08:15.180 --> 00:08:16.699 I've got a car that works. 00:08:17.980 --> 00:08:18.939 I'm doing okay. 00:08:19.080 --> 00:08:20.240 We get holidays occasionally. 00:08:21.199 --> 00:08:22.000 My studies are going okay. 00:08:22.080 --> 00:08:23.100 I get okay grades. 00:08:23.220 --> 00:08:23.879 I'm passing. 00:08:24.080 --> 00:08:25.460 I'm getting better than I hoped for. 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:26.960 School's doing well. 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:29.220 I'm leaving school soon. 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:31.900 To go and to go to university. 00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:34.500 Or my grandkids are doing well. 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:49.820 If that's all our life consists of, then the reality is we are just as blind as this poor man, Bartimaeus. 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:51.680 He sat by the roadside. 00:08:52.720 --> 00:08:55.600 It's not a physical blindness that affects us today. 00:08:55.600 --> 00:09:01.019 It's a blindness, if we like, of our souls. 00:09:03.820 --> 00:09:07.580 The world is blinded to the reality round about them. 00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:10.920 Blinded to the reality, the truth of God. 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:14.120 Blinded by the darkness of their sin. 00:09:14.120 --> 00:09:17.799 We're all so well aware of that. 00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:18.600 Turn on the news. 00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:23.480 Even this morning, there's awful stories of bombs going off in the Middle East. 00:09:24.419 --> 00:09:28.039 We see such awful stories and see such awful tragedy going on in the world. 00:09:28.139 --> 00:09:32.100 And it's not hard to see that there is this darkness, this spiritual darkness. 00:09:32.419 --> 00:09:36.120 This real sad darkness cloaking our world. 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:44.320 This blind man, he was of course aware of his situation. 00:09:44.860 --> 00:09:47.159 He was aware of the condition he was in. 00:09:47.879 --> 00:09:49.440 He knew he needed help. 00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:53.159 And we see that from the request he asks of Jesus. 00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:54.120 What does he say? 00:09:54.179 --> 00:09:58.220 He says, Rabbi or teacher, I want to see. 00:09:58.220 --> 00:10:01.580 Rabbi, let me recover my sight. 00:10:04.920 --> 00:10:09.259 From his request, we can see that Bartimaeus had heard something about Jesus. 00:10:09.420 --> 00:10:11.899 He knew something about who Jesus was. 00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:14.940 Something about what Jesus had done previously. 00:10:15.560 --> 00:10:21.160 He had heard something about the mercy and the power of this man. 00:10:22.779 --> 00:10:24.160 And he had believed it. 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:31.419 Even perhaps in a small way, he held on to the hope that if what he had heard about this man was true, 00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:35.939 then this man could help him as he had helped others before him. 00:10:38.839 --> 00:10:41.620 He knew that Jesus was merciful. 00:10:42.219 --> 00:10:44.139 Perhaps he didn't know much. 00:10:44.199 --> 00:10:45.939 It's likely he didn't know much at all about Jesus. 00:10:47.159 --> 00:10:50.799 He perhaps heard his name being mentioned by those passing him by. 00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:55.479 He had heard the stories of this man who was healing people. 00:10:55.979 --> 00:10:58.399 This man who was sharing this message of hope. 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:03.219 And he had believed something of what he had heard. 00:11:03.779 --> 00:11:05.959 He had trusted, even in perhaps a small way, 00:11:06.639 --> 00:11:09.799 that what had been said about this man was true. 00:11:11.659 --> 00:11:14.639 Bartimaeus doesn't ask Jesus for power. 00:11:15.120 --> 00:11:16.939 He doesn't ask Jesus for riches. 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:20.539 He doesn't ask Jesus for anything else. 00:11:20.539 --> 00:11:25.279 He asks Jesus, of course, the one thing he could never do for himself. 00:11:25.699 --> 00:11:28.839 Rabbi, teacher, let me recover my sight. 00:11:30.439 --> 00:11:34.219 Teacher, let, I want to see. 00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:40.980 He asks Jesus for his greatest need, the need he knew fine well himself. 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:44.579 He could do nothing to help himself with. 00:11:44.580 --> 00:11:48.660 And in doing so, he openly acknowledges his condition. 00:11:48.780 --> 00:11:55.280 He acknowledges that he was in desperate need of something that only Jesus could do for him. 00:11:55.279 --> 00:12:07.339 If there's anyone here this morning who, as of yet, doesn't know Jesus and doesn't love Jesus and doesn't worship Jesus, 00:12:08.339 --> 00:12:12.459 then before you do anything else, you have to know your condition. 00:12:12.460 --> 00:12:17.400 Bartimaeus was wise enough, and it didn't take much for him to see that he was blind. 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:18.420 He knew he was. 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:19.160 He knew he was different. 00:12:19.780 --> 00:12:21.620 He knew he needed that help. 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:28.780 If anyone here today is to cry it to Jesus, we must cry it to Jesus, admitting that we're not good. 00:12:29.400 --> 00:12:31.740 Admitting that we're not that nice. 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:36.740 We don't say Jesus saved me because I've been to church the last 10, 20, 30 years. 00:12:36.820 --> 00:12:39.500 Jesus saved me because I'm such a good citizen. 00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:44.500 Jesus saved me because I know my Bible off by heart, and I pray every day. 00:12:44.759 --> 00:12:48.039 And again, good things, of course, amazing things. 00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:49.759 We encourage you in these things. 00:12:50.580 --> 00:12:53.840 If you're looking to be saved, you come to Jesus and you say, 00:12:53.840 --> 00:13:01.460 Jesus, I am in desperate need of your saving power. 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:07.159 Bartimaeus knew his issue, and he knew the only one who could help him. 00:13:08.360 --> 00:13:14.600 If you want to have a life transformed by Jesus, you must come to him honestly, 00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:23.299 admitting your situation, saying as it really is, and crying out that he would give you sight. 00:13:25.840 --> 00:13:31.220 Look, a bit of these, to verse 48, or verse 47 and verse 48. 00:13:31.220 --> 00:13:37.360 So Bartimaeus cries out to Jesus for the first time, son of David, have mercy on me. 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:40.879 What happens then in verse 48? 00:13:41.920 --> 00:13:44.060 Well, the crowds tell him to be quiet. 00:13:45.060 --> 00:13:47.019 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet. 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:49.680 Told him to keep his mouth shut. 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:51.019 Stop bothering us. 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:53.200 You're shouting out after this man. 00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:59.259 They didn't want to hear him cry out for Jesus. 00:14:00.040 --> 00:14:04.120 It was ruining their nice day, ruining their situation as they're walking past him. 00:14:04.620 --> 00:14:06.940 They didn't care for what he was shouting out. 00:14:08.580 --> 00:14:11.840 And the second anyone here call that to Jesus, 00:14:13.180 --> 00:14:15.920 the second we start looking and seeking after Jesus, 00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:18.360 you can be sure, you can be certain, 00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:22.059 and I'm sure the Christians here will testify to this, 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:25.479 you will find opposition from those around you. 00:14:26.339 --> 00:14:29.839 In this case, of course, Bartimaeus found opposition from the crowd. 00:14:30.299 --> 00:14:32.799 We didn't want to hear this man shouting in our ears. 00:14:33.719 --> 00:14:38.079 Very often, the loudest voices we encounter are those who are closest to us. 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:42.179 Friends and family who very often mean well. 00:14:42.179 --> 00:14:47.139 If we're talking about Jesus and talking about wanting to become a Christian 00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:49.199 and wanting to love him and serve him, 00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:53.379 you know, they'll come to you and they'll try you 00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:55.559 and in their mind help you by saying, 00:14:55.719 --> 00:14:57.939 don't, look at the Christians, look how odd they are, 00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:59.379 look how strange these people are. 00:14:59.659 --> 00:15:01.719 They're so dull, they're so weird. 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:03.819 Why do you want to be like that person? 00:15:04.679 --> 00:15:07.059 Jesus, this man who lived 2,000 years ago, 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:08.679 why do you care about him? 00:15:09.719 --> 00:15:11.219 Bible, this book, 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:12.580 it's just a book. 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:15.620 You'll be amazed. 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:21.639 You'll be amazed at who stands in opposition to you following Jesus 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:25.200 and in how they seek to justify that opposition. 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:28.480 So if you are this morning seeking after Jesus, 00:15:28.540 --> 00:15:31.100 if you are looking into what it is to be a Christian, 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:33.460 don't be put off and don't be surprised 00:15:33.460 --> 00:15:35.800 when you face horrendous opposition. 00:15:35.799 --> 00:15:41.240 But let's learn from Bartimaeus. 00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:46.000 Verse 48, we tell him to keep his mouth shut. 00:15:46.439 --> 00:15:46.919 What does he do? 00:15:47.079 --> 00:15:49.219 But he shouted all the more. 00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:50.519 He would not be quiet. 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:53.579 They're trying to get him to just keep quiet, please. 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:55.060 But he shouted all the more. 00:15:55.060 --> 00:16:00.740 Son of David, have mercy on me. 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:05.800 Let nothing this morning, this day, this week, 00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:07.080 stop you from crying out to Jesus. 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:10.780 If you're seeking after him to save you, 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.600 let nothing stop you. 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:17.139 Bartimaeus have a wisdom to do that. 00:16:18.300 --> 00:16:20.200 And please follow his example. 00:16:20.200 --> 00:16:25.000 Now, place yourself in the place of Bartimaeus. 00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:26.320 Here you are above a roadside, 00:16:26.680 --> 00:16:28.320 and the crowds are passing you by. 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:30.379 You're there as a blind beggar. 00:16:30.920 --> 00:16:32.180 This is your day. 00:16:32.800 --> 00:16:35.120 There is crowds filing past you. 00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:38.120 This is your chance to make a fortune, perhaps, 00:16:38.180 --> 00:16:39.120 if you're smart enough. 00:16:40.660 --> 00:16:43.640 Bartimaeus sat there and begged and begged for more money. 00:16:43.900 --> 00:16:45.020 And who knows? 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:50.080 They received a small fortune from this crowd passing him by. 00:16:50.200 --> 00:16:53.360 But Bartimaeus was smarter than that. 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:55.180 He made the most of his chance. 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:58.600 He knew as this man Jesus was passing him by, 00:16:58.600 --> 00:17:02.580 he knew this was his chance to make an everlasting, 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:04.980 real change in his life. 00:17:05.340 --> 00:17:08.519 This was not the time to be concerned about a few pence 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:10.319 that wouldn't last him that long. 00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:14.740 This was a chance, his chance for his life to be changed. 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:16.080 And he recognized that. 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:19.819 So instead of doing what he always did and begged 00:17:19.819 --> 00:17:23.159 and sat there, he instead calls out. 00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:24.839 Even in the midst of opposition, 00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:26.700 he calls out and calls out. 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:30.079 He seized the chance, quite literally, 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:33.019 as Jesus was passing him by. 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:37.440 As we sit here today in this church, 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:39.740 we sit here with breath in our lungs. 00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:42.879 We sit here with a chance of life this day. 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:44.720 A wonderful chance of life. 00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:49.720 And we sit here as we read God's word together. 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:51.279 As you have it open in front of you, 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:52.900 as you read it with me just now, 00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:58.000 this is the true word of God. 00:17:58.000 --> 00:18:01.440 As we see Jesus heal this man, 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:03.160 as we see Jesus give this man, 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:05.220 as we'll see in a second, new life. 00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:11.480 Don't let this chance pass you by either. 00:18:12.380 --> 00:18:14.259 If Bartimaeus had kept his mouth shut, 00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:16.019 if Bartimaeus had listened to the crowds, 00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:20.079 Jesus would have passed him by on his way to Jerusalem. 00:18:20.380 --> 00:18:23.180 Never to pass by the same way again. 00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:30.060 Bartimaeus had the sense to make the most of the chance he had 00:18:30.060 --> 00:18:33.080 to cry out to the only one who could help him. 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:38.980 Don't lose your chance to cry out to Jesus in the same way. 00:18:39.880 --> 00:18:42.120 This is not just nice words we say on a Sunday 00:18:42.120 --> 00:18:44.539 to keep ourselves happy. 00:18:44.600 --> 00:18:46.519 This is not just a nice wee story we have. 00:18:46.640 --> 00:18:48.720 Mark it and just add this to fill in the space. 00:18:49.840 --> 00:18:51.500 This is God's real living word. 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:53.380 And this is important for us to understand this. 00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:55.559 This is real life and real death. 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:59.480 We become quite relaxed in our routines, 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:01.460 quite relaxed in our Sunday routines. 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:04.059 Me here and you there. 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:05.059 But this is real. 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:05.799 This is serious. 00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:09.279 Don't let this chance pass you by. 00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:11.819 So then we see that, 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:13.980 so he's called out to Jesus. 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:16.480 He's called out twice to Jesus. 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:18.880 And then in verse 49, 00:19:18.880 --> 00:19:20.920 Jesus stopped and said, 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:22.000 call him. 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:25.400 So Jesus talks to disciples or people around him 00:19:25.400 --> 00:19:26.500 and says, call him. 00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:29.760 So then they call out to the blind man. 00:19:32.860 --> 00:19:36.140 We have to note that it was Jesus who gives the first call. 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:38.640 Jesus is the initiator. 00:19:38.820 --> 00:19:40.040 Jesus does the work. 00:19:40.160 --> 00:19:41.820 Jesus says, call him. 00:19:41.819 --> 00:19:45.179 It wasn't his followers. 00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:46.000 It was no one else. 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:49.119 Jesus is the only one who can call us to himself. 00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:52.740 It's wonderful, comforting words. 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:54.319 In Luke 5 and verse 32, 00:19:54.399 --> 00:19:54.939 where Jesus says, 00:19:55.339 --> 00:19:56.480 I've not come to call the righteous, 00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:58.679 but sinners to repentance. 00:19:59.460 --> 00:20:01.299 Jesus calls us to himself. 00:20:02.659 --> 00:20:04.740 Jesus came into the world to call sinners to himself. 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:09.019 Of course, at our core, 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:10.799 at our very base level, 00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:13.420 we'll do anything and everything to escape that call, 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:14.779 to run away from that call. 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:19.000 We do everything we can to ignore that call of Jesus in our lives. 00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:23.220 We hear the call of the gospel saying, 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:24.019 come to Jesus. 00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:25.279 He is calling you. 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.279 And we go, no. 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:30.359 I don't want to listen to this call. 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:32.120 It's going to ruin my life. 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:33.059 It's going to ruin my plans. 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:35.240 It's going to ruin my nice situation I'm in. 00:20:36.919 --> 00:20:40.940 Bartimaeus receives this call from Jesus. 00:20:42.139 --> 00:20:44.399 And Jesus made use of his people. 00:20:45.679 --> 00:20:47.359 Jesus calls to us through his word. 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.980 Let's read the word just now. 00:20:50.399 --> 00:20:53.019 This is God speaking to you through his living word. 00:20:53.879 --> 00:20:55.960 But Jesus also uses you and me. 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.200 He uses his people. 00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.179 And trust me, 00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:01.619 we all feel and recognize how weak 00:21:01.619 --> 00:21:04.259 and how useless we are in many ways as Christians. 00:21:05.199 --> 00:21:07.119 We feel how inadequate we are, 00:21:07.219 --> 00:21:08.759 how uneloquent we are. 00:21:09.479 --> 00:21:09.879 And trust me, 00:21:09.939 --> 00:21:13.500 nothing makes that more clear than standing somewhere like this. 00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:14.939 You realize how faltering, 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:18.219 how failing your words and your thinking actually is. 00:21:19.479 --> 00:21:21.099 But we have the glorious reality here 00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:22.959 that God makes use of his people. 00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:26.459 Jesus told those around him to call him. 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:29.960 And we see in verse 49, 00:21:30.600 --> 00:21:32.860 they call this blind man. 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:34.420 What do they say to him? 00:21:35.620 --> 00:21:36.640 They tell him, 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:38.900 cheer up on your feet. 00:21:39.340 --> 00:21:41.500 He is calling you. 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:44.519 That is incredible, 00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:48.559 wonderful beauty and duty of the Christians here today. 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:51.759 The gospel call has not changed. 00:21:52.159 --> 00:21:54.879 The call that these men gave to Bartimaeus 00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:58.659 is the same call we share to those around us this day. 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:01.359 As Christians here this morning, 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:04.779 this is the call we are commissioned to give 00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:06.279 to those around us, 00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:06.919 our family, 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.579 our friends, 00:22:07.679 --> 00:22:08.379 those we work with, 00:22:08.659 --> 00:22:09.500 those we study with, 00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:11.259 those we just meet and interact with 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:13.000 on a daily or weekly basis. 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.319 The call is simple. 00:22:14.659 --> 00:22:16.740 Get up on your feet. 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:18.339 Take comfort. 00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:21.539 He is calling you. 00:22:22.620 --> 00:22:23.680 It's a somber call. 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:25.579 It's a serious duty we have. 00:22:26.599 --> 00:22:27.819 What a wonderful privilege. 00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:28.819 It should give us joy 00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:32.319 that we can point those around us 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:34.819 to the one who can save them. 00:22:35.400 --> 00:22:36.440 Never pointing to ourselves, 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.880 never saying that we can help them, 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:39.200 or we can save them somehow. 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:41.720 But always pointing out, 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:43.460 on your feet, 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:44.059 get up, 00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:44.819 be comforted. 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:46.319 He is calling you. 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:49.940 The one who changed my life, 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:51.319 the one who saved me, 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:52.980 he is calling you. 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:54.759 As we go out, 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:57.640 as we share that simple gospel message, 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:59.420 as we point people to Jesus, 00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:02.220 as we see him do the work, 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:04.799 him receive all the glory, 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:06.200 it's an incredible thing. 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:08.960 Take heart. 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:10.779 Cheer up. 00:23:11.140 --> 00:23:12.039 On your feet, 00:23:12.620 --> 00:23:15.200 he is calling you. 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:20.240 An important call, 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.120 a solemn call, 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.660 but also one that should give us joy. 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:24.720 Right here this morning, 00:23:24.799 --> 00:23:25.660 if we are Christians, 00:23:26.200 --> 00:23:29.059 regardless of how able we may feel, 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:31.580 regardless of how useful we may feel, 00:23:32.120 --> 00:23:35.380 God has for us this job, 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:39.080 to share his life-giving gospel. 00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:41.699 That is no small thing for us this morning. 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:45.240 So the crowd calls out to Bartimaeus, 00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:47.579 cheer up on your feet. 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.960 He is, 00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:49.939 excuse me, 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:50.519 calling you. 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:53.299 So what's the first thing 00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:54.500 Bartimaeus does? 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:54.919 And again, 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:58.480 as Janangus in ETS always says, 00:23:58.559 --> 00:24:00.199 there's no wasted words in scripture. 00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:02.819 What's the first thing Bartimaeus does in verse 50? 00:24:02.919 --> 00:24:03.000 Well, 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:04.480 throwing his cloak aside, 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:06.099 he jumped to his feet 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:08.160 and came to Jesus. 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:10.960 He froze off his cloak. 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:13.160 We could say that this symbol perhaps, 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:14.440 or it wasn't a symbol, 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:15.440 it was a real thing for him. 00:24:15.599 --> 00:24:15.720 This, 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.339 this, 00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:17.940 this thing he used 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:19.319 that represented his old life. 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:21.279 This thing that covered him, 00:24:21.360 --> 00:24:22.779 that perhaps he collected his money in. 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:24.220 This cloak, 00:24:24.360 --> 00:24:24.500 this, 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:25.599 this symbol of, 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:28.240 of all these years of suffering and blindness. 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:29.460 It's gone. 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.900 I don't need that anymore. 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:32.339 That's long gone now. 00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:33.819 He jumps to his feet. 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:36.980 And he comes straight to Jesus. 00:24:40.679 --> 00:24:42.779 And Jesus calls us to himself. 00:24:44.659 --> 00:24:45.919 Our old life, 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:46.819 it dies. 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:49.220 Jesus makes us new creatures. 00:24:49.379 --> 00:24:51.059 He gives us a new life. 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:52.539 And second Corinthians five, 00:24:52.659 --> 00:24:53.019 17, 00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:54.139 that verse we know so well. 00:24:57.039 --> 00:25:00.399 And sometimes we find ourselves looking for the old things, 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.759 looking for the old life. 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:02.720 But reality is, 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:03.920 like Bartimaeus, 00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:04.879 that old life, 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.160 it's, 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:06.200 it's thrown aside. 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:11.460 And we jump up and we must always come straight to Jesus. 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:14.799 We're given a whole new start, 00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:19.779 cleansed and made perfect in our savior. 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:24.740 And then we have this beautiful question. 00:25:26.059 --> 00:25:27.680 Jesus asks this man. 00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:29.740 That's a strange question, 00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:30.119 really. 00:25:32.399 --> 00:25:33.980 So he throws off his cloak, 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:34.819 he jumps up, 00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:36.559 and he comes to Jesus. 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:38.079 And Jesus says to him, 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:41.700 what do you want me to do for you? 00:25:42.600 --> 00:25:44.039 Perhaps this question seems familiar, 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:44.600 and so it should. 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:47.000 We just read it in the previous section, 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:53.039 and when Jesus is talking to James and John, 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:55.700 in verse 36, 00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:58.259 verse 35 and verse 36, 00:25:58.360 --> 00:26:00.200 we see that James and John say, 00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:00.660 teacher, 00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:01.640 they said, 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:03.600 we want you to do for us whatever we ask. 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.360 Then Jesus replies, 00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.140 the same question, 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.700 what do you want me to do for you? 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:09.600 In terms of contrast, 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:12.080 it's a massive contrast we have here in front of us. 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.680 In that section, 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:18.700 they come to Jesus with a selfish and misguided question. 00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:24.000 Here Jesus asks the same question to this man. 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.420 He's called out, 00:26:25.840 --> 00:26:26.160 Rabbi, 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:28.819 son of David, 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:29.920 have mercy on me. 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.480 Jesus says, 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:33.860 what do you want me to do for you? 00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:38.599 First of all, 00:26:38.619 --> 00:26:40.059 this question perhaps reads 00:26:40.059 --> 00:26:42.019 as if it was 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:44.479 response of a servant. 00:26:46.219 --> 00:26:47.359 What can I do for you? 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:49.379 How can I help you? 00:26:49.419 --> 00:26:50.379 How can I serve you? 00:26:52.699 --> 00:26:54.699 And perhaps that kind of idea 00:26:54.699 --> 00:26:56.059 rubs us the wrong way, 00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:56.500 just now you think, 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:56.599 well, 00:26:56.619 --> 00:26:57.500 that's not right. 00:26:58.699 --> 00:26:59.279 And of course, 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:00.599 again, 00:27:00.619 --> 00:27:02.259 as we read in the last few verses, 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:03.859 in verse 45, 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:05.460 a reminder that the son of man 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:07.420 didn't come to serve, 00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:09.879 to give his life as a ransom for many, 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:11.720 to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:27:13.099 --> 00:27:13.859 At this time, 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:14.460 Jesus is, 00:27:14.619 --> 00:27:14.839 of course, 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:16.900 heading towards Jerusalem. 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:18.240 He is heading, 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:19.859 as we'll see next week 00:27:19.859 --> 00:27:20.480 and the week after, 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:23.059 heading towards the cross, 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:24.180 heading towards 00:27:24.180 --> 00:27:25.640 the point where he will 00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:27.039 lay up his life 00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:27.799 for his people. 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:31.240 And here we see 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:32.680 Jesus asking this man, 00:27:33.119 --> 00:27:34.720 what do you want me to do 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:36.319 for you? 00:27:37.919 --> 00:27:38.480 Unlike, 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:41.559 unlike even the best servant 00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:43.059 in the world 00:27:43.059 --> 00:27:45.119 who asks this question, 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:47.240 Jesus and his response 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:48.159 is not going to be limited 00:27:48.159 --> 00:27:49.740 by anything. 00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:52.960 This is the question 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:54.460 that's being asked 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:55.980 by our servant, 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:56.819 Savior. 00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:59.180 It's a question 00:27:59.180 --> 00:28:00.480 that just overflows 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:01.980 with power. 00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:07.599 Boy, 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.099 I'm an answer, 00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:08.480 Rabbi, 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.359 I want to see. 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:11.759 I think the actual healing 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:13.019 takes place in a second, 00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:13.480 doesn't it? 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:14.799 There's no theatrics, 00:28:14.919 --> 00:28:15.619 there's no incense, 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.759 there's no singing, 00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:17.259 chanting. 00:28:17.619 --> 00:28:18.279 Verse 52, 00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:18.779 Go, 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:19.539 said Jesus, 00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:22.359 your faith has healed you. 00:28:22.919 --> 00:28:23.399 Immediately, 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:24.399 that's a strong, 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:25.399 strong word being used there, 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:27.559 immediately he received his sight. 00:28:28.419 --> 00:28:28.879 It's done. 00:28:32.919 --> 00:28:34.980 The power of our Savior 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:37.819 has transformed this man's life 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.759 in a real sense, 00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:39.799 in a practical sense, 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:41.379 but also, 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:41.899 as we'll see, 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.779 in a deeper sense too. 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:46.240 In an instant, 00:28:46.399 --> 00:28:47.399 Jesus has cured 00:28:47.399 --> 00:28:48.819 this man 00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:49.779 from 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:51.680 the blindness, 00:28:51.899 --> 00:28:52.419 the darkness 00:28:52.419 --> 00:28:53.399 that have been plaguing him, 00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:54.419 we presume, 00:28:54.579 --> 00:28:55.019 for all, 00:28:55.079 --> 00:28:55.599 if not most, 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:56.199 of his life. 00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:01.859 Here we see 00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:03.159 just the serving 00:29:03.159 --> 00:29:04.279 nature 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:05.059 of our Savior. 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:08.339 He stops 00:29:08.339 --> 00:29:09.619 and he helps. 00:29:10.119 --> 00:29:11.519 He's on his way 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:13.679 to suffer 00:29:13.679 --> 00:29:14.599 and to die 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:15.419 a painful, 00:29:15.919 --> 00:29:16.480 agonizing, 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.619 unthinkable death. 00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:19.839 We saw in the previous section 00:29:19.839 --> 00:29:21.059 of James and John, 00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:22.239 he's already suffered 00:29:22.239 --> 00:29:23.819 this selfish question 00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:24.739 from these two disciples 00:29:24.739 --> 00:29:25.579 who are asking him 00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:27.099 a pointless question 00:29:27.099 --> 00:29:28.039 about service 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:29.319 and who's going to reign 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:30.059 beside you 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:30.679 and who's going to rule 00:29:30.679 --> 00:29:31.539 alongside you. 00:29:32.239 --> 00:29:33.539 They're not getting it. 00:29:34.879 --> 00:29:36.139 Jesus explained his death 00:29:36.139 --> 00:29:36.879 and they ask that 00:29:36.879 --> 00:29:38.299 and now he's walking 00:29:38.299 --> 00:29:39.119 to Jerusalem 00:29:39.119 --> 00:29:41.199 and we might think 00:29:41.199 --> 00:29:42.019 that his mind's 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.519 going to be focused 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.659 on what he's going 00:29:43.659 --> 00:29:44.399 to head towards, 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:45.439 where he's going, 00:29:45.719 --> 00:29:46.759 what awaits him 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.599 but instead 00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:48.659 Jesus stops 00:29:48.659 --> 00:29:50.679 and he takes the time 00:29:50.679 --> 00:29:51.919 to listen to this 00:29:51.919 --> 00:29:52.539 poor beggar 00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:54.119 and then the time 00:29:54.119 --> 00:29:55.619 to actually heal him, 00:29:55.699 --> 00:29:56.239 to change 00:29:56.239 --> 00:29:57.559 his life. 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:01.000 Go, 00:30:01.159 --> 00:30:01.599 said Jesus, 00:30:01.699 --> 00:30:02.739 your faith has healed you. 00:30:02.859 --> 00:30:03.599 Immediately he receives 00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:04.039 his sight. 00:30:05.979 --> 00:30:06.419 Go. 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:08.979 Go where? 00:30:09.119 --> 00:30:12.939 Jesus tells us, 00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:13.279 go, 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.059 go, 00:30:15.059 --> 00:30:15.719 done, 00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:16.879 go your way, 00:30:17.159 --> 00:30:17.719 quite literally. 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:20.319 Jesus 00:30:20.319 --> 00:30:22.719 gives a simple instruction. 00:30:22.879 --> 00:30:23.339 The man 00:30:23.339 --> 00:30:25.119 could have quite easily 00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:26.799 grabbed his cloak again 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.859 and sat back down 00:30:27.859 --> 00:30:28.919 and started begging again 00:30:28.919 --> 00:30:29.439 after all, 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:31.119 this was the only life 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:31.879 he ever knew. 00:30:33.579 --> 00:30:34.059 What 00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:35.679 actually does 00:30:35.679 --> 00:30:36.739 this man do? 00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:40.799 he goes 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:42.019 way of Jesus. 00:30:42.680 --> 00:30:43.140 Immediately 00:30:43.140 --> 00:30:43.880 he received 00:30:43.880 --> 00:30:44.460 his sight 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:45.599 and followed 00:30:45.599 --> 00:30:46.140 Jesus 00:30:46.140 --> 00:30:47.039 along 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:48.140 the road. 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:49.960 This man 00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:50.599 was now 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:51.799 going his own way. 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:53.120 He was now 00:30:53.120 --> 00:30:54.299 following the way 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:55.720 of his Savior. 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.240 He recognized 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:57.900 that this was 00:30:57.900 --> 00:30:58.680 the only way 00:30:58.680 --> 00:30:59.960 he could now 00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:00.940 go. 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:02.039 There was no 00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:02.700 going back. 00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:04.099 There was no going back 00:31:04.099 --> 00:31:04.799 to his old life. 00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:05.799 He had been transformed 00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:06.740 and changed 00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:08.299 by his Savior. 00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:09.299 The Savior 00:31:09.299 --> 00:31:10.139 had given him sight 00:31:10.139 --> 00:31:10.680 but also, 00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:11.379 as is clear, 00:31:11.839 --> 00:31:12.539 had transformed 00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:13.359 his whole 00:31:13.359 --> 00:31:14.799 life. 00:31:16.159 --> 00:31:17.119 The way of Jesus, 00:31:17.319 --> 00:31:17.940 the way of Christ, 00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:18.740 was now 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.799 his 00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:20.619 way 00:31:20.619 --> 00:31:21.099 too. 00:31:21.099 --> 00:31:25.199 And we'll 00:31:25.199 --> 00:31:25.879 close with 00:31:25.879 --> 00:31:26.399 this thought. 00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:27.159 As we sit 00:31:27.159 --> 00:31:27.500 here 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.619 just now 00:31:28.619 --> 00:31:29.219 and as you're 00:31:29.219 --> 00:31:29.559 perhaps 00:31:29.559 --> 00:31:30.259 considering 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:31.000 who 00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:31.899 this 00:31:31.899 --> 00:31:32.659 man 00:31:32.659 --> 00:31:33.319 is, 00:31:34.359 --> 00:31:34.659 as you 00:31:34.659 --> 00:31:35.439 think about, 00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:36.019 as we saw 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.659 in his text, 00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:38.019 the power 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:38.799 he seems 00:31:38.799 --> 00:31:39.459 to have 00:31:39.459 --> 00:31:40.779 over the lives 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:41.159 of these 00:31:41.159 --> 00:31:41.500 people. 00:31:42.399 --> 00:31:42.799 That this 00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:43.059 man, 00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:43.319 Jesus, 00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:43.980 has a power 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:44.439 not only to 00:31:44.439 --> 00:31:45.539 heal but also 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:46.019 to save, 00:31:46.119 --> 00:31:46.559 to change 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:47.359 a whole man's 00:31:47.359 --> 00:31:47.799 life. 00:31:49.359 --> 00:31:50.279 Our prayer 00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:51.599 and our 00:31:51.599 --> 00:31:52.279 desire is 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:52.680 that you 00:31:52.680 --> 00:31:53.279 would also 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:54.420 come to 00:31:54.420 --> 00:31:55.079 ask the 00:31:55.079 --> 00:31:55.839 same thing 00:31:55.839 --> 00:31:56.680 that Bartimaeus 00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:57.279 here asks. 00:31:57.799 --> 00:31:58.639 That question 00:31:58.639 --> 00:32:00.000 that Jesus 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.779 asks you, 00:32:01.619 --> 00:32:02.039 your answer 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:02.519 would be, 00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:03.519 I want to 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:03.740 see. 00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:04.579 Jesus, 00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:05.460 let me see. 00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:06.279 Jesus, 00:32:06.460 --> 00:32:07.299 open my eyes. 00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:08.339 Jesus, 00:32:08.460 --> 00:32:08.980 let me see 00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:09.500 the reality 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:10.119 of who you 00:32:10.119 --> 00:32:10.420 are, 00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:11.299 of what you've 00:32:11.299 --> 00:32:11.980 done for me, 00:32:12.440 --> 00:32:13.079 the reality 00:32:13.079 --> 00:32:13.920 of what 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:15.119 your salvation 00:32:15.119 --> 00:32:15.720 means 00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:17.420 for me.