And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
What do you notice about Bartimaeus’s attitude based on what he said and did here?
Talk about the contrast between Bartimaeus’s request of Jesus and that of Jesus’s disciples, James and John, in Mark 10:35-45.
What is it about Bartimaeus’s attitude and mindset that seems to be pleasing to Jesus?
Share about a time when you went to God with a desperate request or a deep need that was extremely important to you. How did you feel, and what did you experience?
What kinds of people and situations does Jesus tend to “stop” for? What is unusual about when he tends to “go”? What does this communicate about God’s values and character?
What’s the difference between treating people as an “it” and treating people as truly human? What causes us to treat people like an “it” at times?
What are some things Jesus did that indicate He saw each person as truly human and valuable?
What were some goals Jesus had in his interactions with people besides physical healing?
Tim Kreider said, “If we want to be loved, we’re going to have to submit to the mortifying ordeal of being known.” Why is vulnerability so important in our relationships with God and with others?
What did you sense God saying to you through this passage and this message?
