Act 2 begins and ends with the healing of a blind man. In Mark 8.22, Jesus restores the sight of a man in Bethsaida in two stages. This is to depict that the disciples do not clearly see the purpose of Jesus coming. Now at the end of chapter 10, the disciples still do not see clearly, but a blind man has his sight restored instantly. He saw Jesus more clearly without eyes than the disciples did with eyes.
Mark has used a literary device commonly referred to as a Markan Sandwich. Mark does this a few times throughout this gospel, and this instance might be the most well-known. Basically, he introduces an idea, closes it with a very similar story, and fills in the rest with information that supports his purpose. The purpose of Mark 8.22-10.52 is discipleship and learning to see clearly in order that we can clearly see to follow Jesus.
Today, we will look a little more at the story of Bartimaeus and then compare how Jesus has tried to prepare His disciples for the last leg of their journey.
A Miracle with a Name
Bartimaeus was healed, was saved, and followed Jesus. This is significant! Why? Because we know his name. Of every healing in the Synoptic gospels, the only name we know is Bartimaeus. As Rick mentioned in his post, Matthew records that two men were healed (Luke only mentions one as well). Does this mean the Bible is wrong? Certainly not, but like most people who begin to follow Jesus, the other man likely did not continue when he realized that to follow Jesus required personal sacrifice. The reality is that in a major city like Jericho, it is likely that many beggars would have been lined up along any major road to have a chance to receive charity from others. So, the fact that only two sought Jesus’ help is the more difficult challenge for me to understand.
Imagine what happened in the moments and then the day following Bartimaeus healing. He must have had many questions, and Jerusalem was about a day’s walk. So, for the entire uphill journey, he is asking all about Jesus, what the disciples have experienced, etc. And then they get to Jerusalem. And then Jesus dies. Could you blame Bartimaeus if he had left? “Wait, I have only known this guy for a week. I didn’t sign up for this. I am out of here!”
But, let me remind you – we know his name! Why, probably because he did stick around. And very probably, he was known to the church of Rome specifically which is why Mark uses the name while Matthew and Luke do not.
So, with that in mind, what did Bartimaeus see when he and the others arrived in Jerusalem? Well, we will begin that last leg of the journey next week when we begin Act 3. But Jesus has provided the disciples a clue three different times. And each time, Jesus provided a little more information in order that they too, might see clearly. Of course, their response each time showed a lack of understanding (still partially blind), but again, that is a part of why Mark wrote Act 2 the way he did.
The three pronouncements of Jesus are found in Mark 8.31, 9.31, and 10.33-34. Let’s take a minute to examine them collectively. The following was constructed by Ben Witherington.
A Three Part Explanation
The only common points in the three passages are the words “Son of Man,” “kill,” and “after three days rise again.” The first time Jesus mentions this fate is in Mark 8.31 immediately after Peter confesses Jesus to be Messiah. As I mentioned when we were studying that passage, Jesus confirms their understanding (best seen in Matthew 16), but then immediately deflects their expectations by shifting the title to Son of Man.
In 8.31, we see that Jesus will suffer and be rejected and specifically who will reject Him and presumably the ones who will be the cause of Jesus’ suffering.
In 9.31, we find out that someone will betray Jesus.
In 10.33, we discover that this handing over is to the religious leaders. Someone who knows Jesus and is following Him with an intent to overthrow the powers, will instead work with religious authorities to overcome Jesus.
But we also learn:
In 8.31, we learn that Jesus will be killed.
In 9.31, we learn it is humans who will kill.
In 10.33, we get an unexpected bit of detail. It is the Gentiles who will kill Jesus, but only after the Jewish authorities take their turn against Him. Now, remember, and if you forget this, you miss the whole point of this series – especially to date. Jesus is Messiah. In the people’s minds – remember the crowd with Him as He begins His ascent to Jerusalem from Jericho – Jesus is coming to do what the religious leaders have said He would do – overthrow the foreign government. So, of course, the Gentiles (that is, the Romans) would want this rebel-rouser destroyed. But why would the religious leaders who have been encouraging everyone to wait for the Messiah, hand Messiah over to the Gentiles to be killed?
We sit here in the 21st Century looking back on all of the events having already happened. Thus, it is easy for us to clearly see how all of this played out to our advantage. But, if we put ourselves in that moment, we might be able to clearly see why the disciples could not see clearly.
In 10.34, Jesus then provides more details about the suffering He first mentioned in 8.31. Mocking, spitting, and flogging would all be a prelude to death.
And He would die. But after three days, He would rise. The truth is that last statement is impossible to reconcile for those who heard it. The disciples must have thought that even Jesus must know it is impossible to bring back someone from the dead after such a long period. Sure, He raised Jairus’ daughter, but that was after many minutes. Some suggest the demon-possessed boy in Mark 9 may have been dead, and Jesus healed him in a matter of minutes, if not seconds. Elijah and Elisha had brought the dead back in the Old Testament. But again, after three days? No one could do that!
Now, I know what some of you are thinking. But Andy, what about Lazarus? You are correct, John 11.17 says that Lazarus was in the tomb four days. And the fact he was in the grave four days was intentional because John 11.6 reveals that Jesus stayed two days longer to ensure that Lazarus had died AT LEAST three days before. But the problem is that we are looking back on the story, not living in it.
John 10.40 says that Jesus went back across the Jordan to where John had been baptizing and remained there. This location lines up perfectly with Mark 10.1. So, now as we go back to our story today, Jesus is on His way through Jericho towards Jerusalem, where He will stop two miles away at Bethany four days after Lazarus has been placed in the tomb. Thus, Lazarus has just died, and the story of his being brought back from the dead has not yet happened. In the time-frame of Bartimaeus healing, it would happen within the next day or so. So the disciples had NO understanding of what Jesus might have meant to rise again after three days.
Returning back to the primary topic at hand, let us remember that Jesus painted a full picture of His destiny for His disciples over time. However, each time Jesus revealed His true destiny, the disciples’ thoughts were on personal gain. First, it was Peter rebuking Jesus for such foolish talk of dying. Then it was the disciples arguing over which of them was the greatest. And, from last week, after Jesus gave the most detailed explanation of what was to come, James and John began to jockey for position to sit at the right and left of Jesus.
Just like the blind man in Mark 8 gained his eyesight back in stages, so the disciples were to learn what true discipleship was in stages. But just like Bartimaeus chose to follow once he could see clearly, the disciples would have to choose as they began to clearly see.
CONCLUSION
I have covered a little bit of ground today without giving any real concrete points. So, let me give you a few principles we can take from the text before I give us our JOURNEY letter for today.
Principles:
1. We do not need to know everything about Jesus in order to follow Him.
In fact, everything we have seen suggests that we can’t or won’t know, but like Bartimaeus, we might know just enough that when we sense Jesus is near, we can be ready to respond and follow.
2. Jesus will reveal to us bit by bit what we need.
Jesus gave the disciples a little bit of information at a time so they would be ready when the time was right. God promised to do the same thing for the ancient Israelites by allowing them to advance “little by little” in order that they would not be overwhelmed. Thus, God will do the same for us when needed.
3. Bartimaeus left everything behind because following Jesus is worth far more.
As a beggar, Bartimaeus may not have had much, but the contrast here between him and the rich young ruler is stark. However, Jesus did not ask anything of Bartimaeus except to come – which he did.
4. In the midst of the crowd, God knows the individual.
We saw this in Mark 5 with the woman with the issue of bleeding. Here we see that one (or two) men crying out amidst the crowd catch Jesus’ attention. And Jesus responds by standing still. How does a blind person navigate? By feel and by sound. Jesus stayed still so the man could follow His voice!
JOURNEY:
That’s why our JOURNEY letter for today is: Y – You.
Jesus offers the same question to everyone. “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10.36,51)
As I figure it, the answers come in three basic forms, from three different attitudes, as shown in the last three encounters from Mark 10. If we are honest, most everyone can admit to have reflected each of these attitudes at some point in our lives.
- I don’t need Jesus. I can take care of myself. (Rich young ruler – Mark 10.17-22)
- If Jesus is offering, then I will see what I can get. (James & John – Mark 10.35-37)
- I am so thankful that He could even care for me. I will follow Him anywhere. (Bartimaeus – Mark 10.46-52)
Which attitude reflects yours today?
OPPORTUNITY: How can we make people desperate for God? Like air in a room, we may not think about its importance, but just a little deprivation of oxygen will make us desperate to breathe. Are we the same way towards God? Shouldn’t we be, but even moreso?
For the Next Steps this week, I am going to ask you to think critically about how one of the principles above can be used to allow you to see more clearly what God is doing and how He wants to use you in the process.
NEXT STEP(S):
Learn: Consider how Principle 1 can make you more desperate for God this week.
Live: Consider how Principle 2 can help you to better trust God’s purpose for your life.
Love: Consider how Principle 3 can draw you closer to God this week. (See James 4.8.)
Lead: Consider how Principle 4 can help you make a difference for God in one person’s life this week.
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