A Noisy Beggar

Exeter Temple Bible notes

Sunday 10th March 2013
Bible Reading: Luke 18:35-43

Don’t you sometimes find that you miss the significance of the moment you are in? Looking back on the different decades that we have lived through, historians tell us they will be remembered for particular trends, crucial turning points that bring important political and social change, the emergence of new art forms and cultural experiences.
The crowd told him the blind man, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” Here was a moment that needed to be recognised for what it was. Jesus was passing by and this was important. This should not be missed, misunderstood or minimized. By his Holy Spirit, Jesus continues to “pass by” It is crucial that we do not miss, misunderstand or minimize what that means for us.

1. The Blind man didn’t let Jesus pass by because he realised who he was
The blind man whom we know from Mark’s version of the story is called Bartimaeus, was told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. However in v 38 Bartimeaus used the title “Jesus! Son of David,” The term “Son of David” was one reserved for the coming Messiah’ a title of Divine power. This blind man understood that Jesus wasn’t to be someone who was meant to be recognised as a minor celebrity. He wasn’t someone to queue up for as you might as a film premier or vaguely offer support to, by wearing a wrist band that supports His cause.
When Bartimaues called out for the Son of David to have mercy on him, he was expressing his belief that Jesus was the Messiah, and that He could heal his blindness. He knew who Jesus was and he knew what Jesus could do for him.
This blind man was a beggar and for most beggars the most they can expect is that some days there might be a bigger donation in the pot than usual but in calling Jesus the Son of David, Bartimaeus was expecting more than money.
Sometimes Jesus, the Son of the Most High God, the creator of the universe, the image of the invisible God, is passing by and we nod our head at Him as we would a stranger. The same Jesus who cleansed the leper, restored the sight of the blind, banished demons back to hell and even raised the dead passes by us and we ask him for a sticking plaster. If He can restore sight to the blind, He can grant you the deepest longing of your heart.
We don’t all want to admit that we are in need of Christ’s mercy and our need for a work of grace might not be so obvious as that of a blind beggar but in our hearts we know. We need to stop Jesus as He passes by. We need to recognise who He is and ask Him to meet with us.

2. The blind man didn’t let Jesus pass by because he realised that this was a moment that might not come again.
Bartimaeus responded immediately to the information that it was Jesus passing by. This is a powerful example of how great opportunities pass in front of us. Bartimaeus was faced with a split-second decision. If he remained still and silent, his opportunity for healing would be gone.
He could have thought, “There’s a crowd here today, maybe I’ll catch Jesus the next time He comes through Jericho.” Bartimaeus understood the significance of the word now. What Bartimaeua didn’t know was that Jesus never did pass through Jericho again. He went straight from Jericho to the cross.
Jesus is passing by right now, what are you going to do? “I’ll catch Him next time I come to church.” 2 Corinthians 6:2 states that, "Now is the time of the Lord’s favour, now is the day of salvation”. Jesus is passing by. You may not have another opportunity just like this one to hear Jesus ask you, “What do you want me to do for you?”
3. He didn’t let Him pass by because he realised that a changed life was more important than the obstacles in his way.
And there were a few even for him. Bartimeus was a beggar, he may not have had a lot of dignity left but even so loudly pleading for mercy showed his desperation and the hope that he placed in Jesus. To cry out to Jesus who might not respond and upset the crowd that were usually good for a few sheckels was to take a risk, to take a leap of faith.
Surely we will not let embarrassment stop us crying out for mercy? And if this is Jesus passing by, we know that we can trust Him.
Jesus has been running from one event to another. He knows His mission. He has set His face toward Jerusalem, knowing full well what He will find there. There will be a cross. Yet despite the pressure of the moment and the seriousness of the mission, this Jesus stops, faces Bartimaeus, calls him to Himself.
Faith is the first step you must take to receive mercy from God. Faith is not just believing God exists, it is acting on that belief. It is staking your entire eternity on the offer God has extended for you to have a personal relationship with Him.
The crowd sought to shut Bartimaeus up of course. There will always be those who criticise your desire to get near to Jesus or who underestimate the urgency of your desire. Bartimaeus would not be put off.
Luke’s version doesn’t include this obstacle but Mark does. He tells us that before being taken to Jesus Bartimeaus took his cloak off. That cloak was perhaps the only security he had ever known. It had kept the heat off by day and the chill off by night. And there really wasn’t anything wrong with him having that cloak but the text gives the indication that it was getting in the way. It was somehow keeping him from getting to Jesus. And Bartimaeus realizes that, “I’m not going to let anything keep me from getting to Jesus.” So he cast away that old cloak and he rose and came to Jesus.
What is there in your life that you need to cast aside so that you can get to where Jesus is?
Passing by
There are many times in the Bible, when the Lord does wonderful things when He is passing by. In the Old Testament the phrase “passing by” is charged with meaning.
It is found where God makes himself known in an awesome appearance to His people. He has brought revelation of his nature. At Mount Sinai the Lord in his glory passed by Moses. We are told, "He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, 'The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin'" (Exodus. 6&7).
There was an occasion at Mount Horeb when the Lord "passed by" the prophet Elijah in the wind and the earthquake and the fire, and then in a still small voice that spoke to him. This lifted Elijah out of negativity to carry on his ministry.
In the New Testament, we find Jesus passing by Lake Galilee, and calling Peter and Andrew to follow Him. It was as He was passing through Samaria that He met a woman by a well and offered her living water. One day when the disciples were out on the lake, Jesus walked out on the water towards them. We are told, "He was about to pass by them". We might think of it in terms of Jesus continuing his journey without noticing them but Jesus walking on the water was showing His nature and His glory just as God had shown His nature and His glory to Moses and Elijah.
After the resurrection as Jesus walked unrecognized with two of His disciples we are told He walked ahead of them as if He were going on. But it is clear that what He would do to help depended on their response. He had no intention of forcing himself upon them. If they had not wanted Him, He would have passed by if they had not urged him to come and stay with them. (Luke 24:28-30).
Jesus is passing by, let’s cry out to him for his mercy, let’s listen to him ask “What is it that you want me to do for you?

God bless

Alan and Carol