Title: Mark 10:46-52 Life Reversal
Contents
Life reversal (Mark 10:46-52)
A life that follows the Lord is success
Be reborn as a 'miracle hero' when you do not stop praying for faith
Our life can be said to be a series of encounters. Meetings in life play a decisive role in completing the ‘self-portrait’ of my life. An encounter with a person determines life on this earth, but an encounter with Jesus is an encounter that determines eternal life. There are many people who meet people well and live a life that turns their lives around, but I believe that meeting with Jesus is the meeting that leads us to the happiest and blessed path.
The text introduces a man who met Jesus and became the main character of his life. That person is a blind man, Bartimaeus. In Hebrew, the word ‘ba’ means ‘son’. So Bartimaeus is the son of Dimaeus. He might have had a name, but he was a worthless existence that was not even called by people. Moreover, he could not see and had nothing, so he had no choice but to live as a beggar. Bartimaeus, a blind beggar who had no choice but to live such an unfortunate life, was awakened by meeting Jesus and became the protagonist of a life-changing life. So, how could Badimaeus become the protagonist of a life-changing life?
1. Bartimaeus knew Jesus right away and asked for grace.
One day Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside and heard that Jesus was passing by. At this time, Bartimaeus says in verse 47, “When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he cried out and said, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” People introduced Bartimaeus, “This is Jesus of Nazareth,” but when Bartimaeus called Jesus, he called “Jesus, Son of David.” The name Nazareth was a place full of prejudice in Palestine. However, the fact that Bartimaeus did not call Jesus “Jesus of Nazareth” but “Jesus, Son of David” is proof that he believed in Jesus as the Messiah. He had the belief that Jesus was the Messiah, whom he had never met, had never seen, but had heard of by people.
And Bartimaeus says to Jesus, “Jesus, have mercy on me.” Many people today are in a pitiful situation, yet many are unaware of that fact. We need to know ourselves right away. I need to realize that I am a weak being who needs the help of the Lord. Even though their eyes are open, there are many people who do not see the Lord as the Messiah spiritually. There are many people who live without knowing the meaning of life and why they have to live. There are many people who did not open their eyes to the mission of what I should live for. We need to open our spiritual eyes, know that you are the Messiah, and be able to ask the Lord, “Have mercy on me!”
2. Barimaeus overcame the obstacles of faith.
When the beggar Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus for mercy, in verse 48 he said, “Many rebuked you, so be still.” He was trying to come to Jesus, but his faith was hindered. Bartimaeus did not back down because of people's disabilities. I didn't give up.
Note the words 'more', 'extremely' and 'shout'. When he encountered obstacles to faith, he went toward the Lord more desperately and more desperately than before he had obstacles before him. Even when we pray, there may be obstacles in our prayers. Overcoming those obstacles requires perseverance and not giving up. Don't give up on just one prayer. So, I've tried and it doesn't work, so don't make it easy. Don't make it easy to say that I've been praying and my prayers are not answered. The Bible never made such a promise that a single prayer would always be answered. We must pray, but do not lose heart and cry out to the Lord.
Verse 49 says, “Jesus said, ‘Stand and call on him. Prayer and supplication of faith have the power to stop the Lord's steps in this way. The path to trust in Jesus is not easy. Many obstacles lurk. But we must overcome those obstacles and move forward. Only then can you become the protagonist of a miracle.
3. Bartimaeus followed Jesus.
When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was calling, he threw away his cloak, got up and went to Jesus. Then, in response to the Lord's question, "What do you want me to do for you?", I made a wish, "I want to see you." Eventually, through Jesus, Bartimaeus tasted the miracle of opening his eyes.
The real jackpot in life is not in winning the lottery. The real jackpot in life can only happen when we meet the Lord. When we meet the Lord, we too can become the protagonists who experience these miracles and powers.
Now, Jesus had opened Bartimaeus's eyes, and Bartimaeus who had opened his eyes followed Jesus. What is important here is the image of Jesus reflected in the eyes of Bartimaeus who opened his eyes and followed Jesus. After Jesus was captured by the chief priests in Jerusalem, he was crucified at the hands of Roman soldiers. Jesus opened the eyes of Bartimaeus so that he could see the true face of the true Messiah.
Sermon notes
There are many people who dream of turning their lives around in a difficult economic situation. However, a true life changer is not one who stays in one's own weakness. It happens when we know the Lord is Lord, trust in God's infinite power, and pray earnestly.