“And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight,” Mark 10:51.
I. NOTE THE NEED FOR OUR FAITH TO BE DECLARED
The Lord knew Bartimaeus’s need without him answering but faith must be declared.
1. He declared faith in the person of Christ. “Lord”, “Master”. Bartimaeus knew Who Jesus was, verse 47. Blind of body but seeing of soul!
The enjoyment of gospel mercy depends upon our confessing Christ. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved,” Romans 10:9. These two go together, lips and heart agree and are in union. No blessings for ‘secret disciple’! Have you faith in Christ and have you confessed that faith?
2. He had faith in the power of Christ. He asks for his sight!
3. He had faith in the compassion of Christ. He asks for mercy. The multitude who surrounded Christ did not think that Christ would wish to act so compassionately, verse 48. God’s people often, aye always, underestimate the compassion and mercy of the Saviour!
II. THE SAVIOUR’S ACTIONS AND WORDS ENCOURAGED BARTIMAEUS TO EXPECT AN ANSWER
1. Christ was ready to hear. Verse 49. No one else was listening to the poor beggar. Rather the opposite! Verse 48. “LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear,” Psa 10:17. Psalms 86:5.
2. Christ’s question indicated His limitless power. He called Bartimaeus and offered him an answer without restriction. Ps 62:11, 68:34, Isa 26:4, Matt 28:18.
3. Christ was offering an answer to every need of the blind man. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him,” 1 Corinthians 2:9. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32; Philippians 4:19, Psa 84:11.