Captain's Log - Don't Let Fear Hold You Back

In Mark 10:46 it is written, “Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging.”

Bartimaeus literally translated means, "son of uncleanness." What a name! I'd be like, "Thanks mom and dad for such a lame name." Bartimaeus was considered cursed and looked down upon because of his handicap. Jesus disciples reveal the common prejudice of the day against the handicapped in John 9:1-2 which says, “As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’" Jesus had to explain to them that the blindness was not a result of his or his parent’s sin, but was there to bring glory to God. Sometimes blindness is used for a blessing.

Bartimaeus would have been considered a second class citizen in Jesus day. Remember what the religious leaders said to another blind man that Jesus healed, in John 9:34, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!' And they threw him out."

Consider how people looked down on Bartimaeus. Perhaps that is why he was named, son of uncleanness. Maybe he had sinful parents, who people blamed for Bartimaeus blindness. Some would have considered him "steeped in sin" and that his blindness was a result of his own wickedness. In spite all the nasty things others thought of him, he didn't let their negativity influence his point of view. He still trusted in Jesus power and love for him.

Bart heard Jesus passing by and became very excited. Luke 18:36-37 says, “When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” Now imagine all Bart had heard about Jesus. Remember the two blind men healed in Matthew 9:30-31, “…and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, ‘See that no one knows about this.’ But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.” Yes, the news spread everywhere. In fact, Bart used the exact same words the other blind men did in order to get Jesus’ attention. Bart had probably heard how Jesus loved even the blind.

Moved by the hope of restored sight by the power of the Messiah, Bart ignored the prejudice against him and shouted for Jesus as he passed by. Mark 10:47-48 says, “When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!” The fear of crowd is one of the biggest fears people have today. Speaking in public before a crowd is always one of the top fears of Americans when polled. But Bart was more afraid of missing out on what Jesus had to offer, than what others might think of him.

Notice who rebuked Bart and told him to shut up in Luke 18:38-39, “He called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!” It was those who were trying to lead the way for Jesus who tried to quiet him. When you try to lead Jesus instead of follow Jesus, you will often end up missing the people Jesus wants to reach and heal. How often we, "leaders," do not have the compassion and heart of Jesus for the despised and rejected of this world. May God forgive and change us.

Mark 10:49-50 says, “Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’ So they called to the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.' Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.”

Notice that he left everything he had to follow Jesus. His cloak was the only thing to keep him warm at night. His cloak is what he sat on all day while he begged for money. His cloak was what people would throw their lose change into as they passed by and had mercy on him. His cloak was what he sat on at work home and source of income. He didn't have much but he still had to leave it all to find Jesus. Someone could have stolen it. If he wasn't given his sight, he might not be able to find his way back to it. If he remained blind, he would need it to beg again. But in his faith, he left it. He trusted in the love and power of Jesus to heal those the world hated. Bart was a man of great faith, who left all he had to follow Jesus.

This is a theme throughout the Gospel of Mark. Simon and Andrew abandoned their nets (Mark 1:18). James and John left their father with the hired servants in the boat (1:20). Levi walked away from his tax office (2:14). Jesus commanded the rich man to sell all his possessions and give to the poor in order to follow (10:21). Peter pointed out that the disciples had left everything to be with Jesus (10:28). Luke 14:33 reminds us, “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”

Mark 10:51-52 says, "What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked him. The blind man said, ‘Rabbi, I want to see.' 'Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” Notice, once he was healed, he followed Jesus. He became one of Jesus’ disciples. He became a vocal believer, who praised God for what Jesus had done for him. If only we had more Bartimaeus types today.

Luke 18:43 says, “Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God” Bart was an inspiration. He demonstrated the depths of God's love, the heights of God's power, and the extent of God's grace. His praise of God inspired others to praise God. His faith helped develop other's faith. We all share in this calling. 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

If you have been called out of darkness into the light, declare his praises, so that others who hear you may share your faith. Maybe you are a 2nd class loser like Bart. Maybe the world looks down on you. Maybe some church “leader” has told you to be quiet. Don't let a fear of the crowd keep you from confessing your faith unto salvation. In Proverbs 8:17 God says, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” The son of uncleanness can become a child of God.