Snapshots Series: "Spiritual Blindness"

Snapshot 31 Mark 10:46-52 Vrs 46 Bartimeus, that is, the son of Timeus; which, some think, signifies the son of a blind man; he was the blind son of a blind father, which made the case worse, and the cure more wonderful, and the more proper to typify the spiritual cures wrought by the grace of Christ, on those that not only are born blind, but are born of those that are blind. MH Vrs 47 Son of David, occurring here for the first time in Mark, designated the Messiah as David’s Descendant (2 Sam. 7:8-16) and became a recognized title of the Messiah-King BKC Bartimaeus’ using that title probably indicated that despite his physical blindness he believed Jesus of Nazareth was Israel’s Messiah, in contrast with the blind unbelief of most Jews. Later he addressed Jesus more personally (“Rabbi,” Mark 10:51) and followed Him. Jesus did not silence him, implying He accepted the title. "Have mercy on me" is one of the oldest recorded prayers that people uttered to God His plea for help, “Son of David, mercy me!” is the cry of a dependent, childlike spirit Holman Vrs 48 They rebuked him telling him to be silent Blind? He sees more clearly than any of the disciples! ODM Notice he did not listen to them and kept calling out to Jesus "Have mercy on me" We are going to look at Spiritual Blindness We are going to look at three Causes...Satan, The World, The Flesh Then we will look at the cures. Cause: Satan 2 Cor 4:4 (blinds), 1 Peter 5:8 (lion) Satan will tell you... God is not real, you are worthless, He is not there for you, If He loves you why would you be having such a hard time? Cures: -Realize Satan's character. John 8:44, Liar -Put on the full armor of God Eph 6 It is a spiritual battle Cause: The World Eph 2:2 following the course of the world, The world will tell you..."they" told Bartimaes to be quiet. Why do you rely on God? God does not care, Jesus is not real, We can explain everything through Science. You only live once. Cures: -Realize your citizenship Phil 3:19-20 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:19-21 ESV) -Seek His kingdom Matt 6:33 Some of you have a righteous annoyance with people who do not appreciate our country and how others laid their life down for it. We should have a greater righteous annoyance at Christians who do not live out their faith for the Kingdoms sake. One of the main reasons why Christians don't live out their faith is because we only focus on this world not the next. Jesus laid down His life so we can glorify Him in this life and He will have us enjoy the next GOSPEL The gospel and Jesus kingdom should be the first thing we care about. Cause: Our Flesh Romans 8:7-8 the flesh, your flesh will tell you... It is only a little sin, everyone does it, this feels good. you deserve this, as long as it does not affect anyone else. -Cures -Realize your fleshly passions. 1 Peter 2:11 -Clothe yourself. Rom 13:14. This means everyday when we wake up we pray and ask the Lord to fulfill his desires not our own. When we are spiritually blinded for so long it takes some time to learn how to walk with our spiritual sight... In his book, An Anthropologist on Mars, neurologist Oliver Sacks tells about Virgil, a man who had been blind from early childhood. When he was 50, Virgil underwent surgery and was given the gift of sight. But as he and Dr. Sacks found out, having the physical capacity for sight is not the same as seeing. Virgil's first experiences with sight were confusing. He was able to make out colors and movements, but arranging them into a coherent picture was more difficult. Over time he learned to identify various objects, but his habits--his behaviors--were still those of a blind man. Dr. Sacks asserts, "One must die as a blind person to be born again as a seeing person. It is the interim, the limbo . . . that is so terrible." This is the discipled life in progress, constantly learning how to navigate this life in view of Jesus and His Kingdom. With Spiritual Sight...its dying to self living to Jesus. Vrs 49 then crowd encouraged him because Jesus was calling him. Were they enlightened at this point? not absolutely sure but they were willing to back off. Interesting enough... Satan has to back off in the name of Jesus. 1 John 4:4 He that is in The world many times when they observe our obedience they back off and start to respect, who we are for following Jesus. Know us by love And when we start to make less provision for the flesh the sinful activities that once attracted us no longer have that same power over us. Psalm 37:4-6 Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.(Psalm 37:4-6 ESV) These areas back off a bit because we learn how to have victory over them. Vrs 50-52 Bartimeaus response -By throwing aside his cloak, Bartimaeus evidenced readiness for mission By following Jesus on the way to Jerusalem, Bartimaeus accepted the way of His suffering Lord. Finally, Jesus had a disciple who saw. Holman -Bartimeaus expressed faith in faith in Jesus and because of that he was no longer blind. Are you still spiritually blind?