The Untouchables. The untouchables were the lepers, the blind, the cripples..AND YES… SINNERS. Normally they would be kept at bay. But Jesus was drawn to them. Why?

Jesus said: “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

BACKGROUND OF BLIND BARTIMAEUS

• A blind man of the 1st century had no source of income, no job.
• A blind man couldn’t get married and have kids. Being blind in those days was a death sentence.
• A blind man of the 1st century in that culture was even considered as a punishment inflicted by God. Being blind was not just a death sentence but also a curse.

BARTIMAEUS WAS NO ORDINARY BLIND BEGGAR

⁴⁶ Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 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 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁹ SO JESUS STOOD STILL and commanded him to be called. (Mark 10:46-49)

THERE’S A CRY THAT WILL CAUSE JESUS TO STAND STILL.

1. FAITH THAT STARTS WITH A CRY

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 Then many warned him to be quiet; but HE CRIED OUT ALL THE MORE, “Son of David, have mercy on me!

• By calling Jesus, “Son of David” he was affirming Jesus as royalty, as the Messiah
• He was blind but yet again, he was the only that could identify Jesus as the Messiah
• They told him to be quiet but he cried even louder. JESUS STOOD STILL
• No matter what you might be going through, when you call on the name of Jesus. You make Him stand still.

2. FAITH THAT UNLOCKS GRACE

Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”⁵⁰ AND THROWING ASIDE HIS GARMENT, HE ROSE AND CAME TO JESUS. ⁵¹ So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” ⁵² Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

• First thing he did was to throw away his garment, his robe. He knew that from that moment on, he would not longer need those filthy rags fit for a beggar. He was getting a new robe of God’s righteousness.

Here’s the moral of this story

• Don’t sit on the sidelines and watch life pass you by. Get up and do something for God
• Don’t sit on the sidelines and allow your infirmities (what you don’t know have) dictate your future. Use what you have, talents, resources for God’s glory
• Don’t let Jesus pass by without you noticing Him. Call on His name!

Conclusion

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?