JESUS AND THE BLIND BEGGAR Mark 10:46-52
BACKGROUND: As far as we know, Jesus visited Jericho only once. This happened on his last journey to Jerusalem. Jesus was a direct descendant of King David. 1,000 years before, God had promised David that his son would forever sit on the throne of Israel (2. Sam 7:12-16). Romans, who governed the land, could not stand the talk of Israeli kings. In fact, Jesus had only once before been called Son of David, and it had been outside of the borders of the country (Matt. 15:21-28).
1.
• What would be the worst thing about living by begging?
• What things can a person learn about life, people, and the burning questions of the day by sitting by the roadside year after year (verse 46b)?
• Do you think that Bartimaeus had figured out by himself that Jesus was the son of David or had he heard it from others? Justify your answer.
2. Why had nobody taken Bartimaeus to be healed at the festival in Jerusalem, only 30 kms away, which Jesus visited regularly a couple of times a year?
• What different possibilities did the blind beggar have to talk to Jesus if he ever happened to come to Jericho?
3.
• Why was Bartimaeus not afraid of the Romans when he cried out the name of Son of David at the top of his lungs (verse 47)?
• In what two ways did his cries change when others tried to quiet him (verse 47-48)?
• How did Jesus react to being called Son of David?
4.
• Think about different reasons for people trying to quiet Bartimaeus’ pleas for help.
• What should the people around Bartimaeus have done instead of telling him to hold his tongue (verse 48)?
5.
• What could Bartimaeus possibly have felt when he heard that Jesus had called him to come to him (verse 49-50)?
• Up to that point, Bartimaeus had probably taken good care of his cloak, which was also his mattress and blanket during the night. What does the fact that he suddenly cast it aside demonstrate (verse 50)?
6.
• Why did Jesus ask Bartimaeus a question the answer of which seemed obvious (verse 51)?
• Today, Jesus is asking you the same question: “What would you want me to do for you?” What is your reply to him? (You can answer this silently in your heart.)
7.
• How did Jesus heal Bartimaeus’ eyes (verse 56)?
• The verb used in the original text in verse 52 can be translated in two different ways: “Go. Your faith has healed you/saved you”. Where could Bartimaeus’ faith be seen?
• What may the people of Jericho have thought when Jesus praised the faith of a blind beggar this way?
8.
• Bartimaeus followed Jesus down the road to Jerusalem (verse 52b). What was he going to do there?
• The next day, people greeted Jesus at the gates of Jerusalem as the king and Son of David (11:9-10). How much of this was influenced by Bartimaeus’ shouts?
• What had been the purpose of Bartimaeus being blind?
GLAD TIDINGS: Only a week later, Bartimaeus had to witness with his newly healed eyes how his benefactor was nailed on the cross. I bet his faith was severely tested. But on the Easter morning, he heard that Jesus had risen from the dead and believed it immediately. I hope you believe it, too!
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