A Voice in the Wilderness |
*** PORTIONS *** Re: Blind Faith - a parable "So Jesus...commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, Be of good courage. Rise, He is calling you. And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus." (Mk10:49-50) The complete incident is found in vs46-52. The son of Timaeus, a blind man, sitting by the wayside, hears that Jesus is coming by, and starts yelling at the top of his lungs, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" This account is a picture of how a person comes to Saving Faith in Jesus Christ. While the incident actually happened, in which the man came to physical 'sight'; it also serves as a parable regarding Saving Faith. The man, being blind, is without direction and purpose. Sitting there. He is not like the rest of the people, following Jesus. He cannot. He cannot see. Even if he were to get up and start pretending by following the noise of the crowd, he still cannot see Jesus. He is not following Christ. He would be following the crowd. Even most of the people in the crowd were pretenders. They each followed the masses. The 'concept' of what Jesus represented. They would talk to each other 'about' Jesus, and say all sorts of wonderful things about Him, and His works, miracles and teachings. They were like most '[c]hristians' today. If asked, "Sure, I'm a follower of Jesus". See? I've been following Jesus all over from Nazareth to Jerusalem to Bethsaida, to ??? Isn't it just wonderful all the people He heals. I was even there and ate the bread He broke for 5000 and 4000 people all at one time. I'm a partaker. I go to church regularly, and speak with everyone I get a chance to, about Jesus, and invite them to church. Notice that the crowds were the ones who ultimately yelled out, "Crucify Him!!" (Mt27:20-22) Israel in the wilderness "were immersed into Moses...all ate the same spiritual food...drank out of that spiritual rock... [which] was Christ. But with most of them God was not well please, for they were scattered in the wilderness" (1Cor10:2-5) But Bartimaeus: The crowds ([c]hurch) are walking past him, and here he is, sitting by himself on the sidelines. He hasn't eaten the bread, nor seen the miracles; although, he's heard 'of' them. But he cannot converse with anybody about how he is a follower. He is blind! He cannot see! "JESUS, SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME!!" This is the entrance to the path to salvation. Jesus said of the one who humbly beat on his breast and said, "God, be merciful to me the sinner" (Lk18:13), that he, not the self-righteous pharisee, went home "justified".(vs14) So what happens now? Does the [c]hurch help this man find Jesus? Oh, be quiet! SHUT UP!!! Quit stirring things up and causing a commotion! Can't you see how "united" we are as we follow Jesus and bask in His presence? Isn't it just so wonderful how all these "different" people have come together and are following Jesus? And how dare you stir up this calm and tranquility, and how we all 'feel' so good being around Jesus as He feeds us and heals us, by screaming at the top of your lungs about "MERCY"! Speaking of "mercy" indicates a basis in sin. Oooo, how ugly! Such 'hate speech'! "Take words with you and return to Jehovah. Say to Him, Take away all iniquity and receive us with grace (mercy).." (Hos14:2) However, IN SPITE OF the [c]hurch's efforts to keep this man and Jesus separated; they've been working real hard at it, even with threats and intimidation (Woe to them! Lk11:52); Jesus hears him. And He calls for the man. That's the only way the man is going to get healed. "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.." (Jn6:44) So, the man "throwing aside his garment.." (vs50) Folks, in those days, people were self-contained. They had their basic cloths, and then, a wrap. This wrap would keep one warm in the cold, and provided that to spread out, upon which to sleep. For a poor person, his wrap was his "home", and represented the totality of his earthly possessions. Now, if a blind person takes this wrap and "throws" it aside, in the context of a massive crowd of people, how will he ever find it again? Even if somebody doesn't steal it, how could he possible feel around to ever find it again, to retrieve it? This is like "burning his bridge behind him", never to go back. A person once asked Jesus, How can I "inherit eternal life?" Jesus responds, "Sell everything that you have...and come, follow Me." (Lk18:18,22) That person, having great possessions, went back home to them. How 'impossible' it is for those with riches to "enter into the kingdom of God"! (vs24) Here we come to the title of this piece. Many people proclaim a "blind faith". You've just gotta close your eyes, hold your nose, and -JUMP-! They cite Abram who, "went out, not knowing where he went". (Heb11:8 -kjv) But they fail to remember that "Abraham believed God". (Rom4:3) Perhaps Abraham didn't know 'where' he was going, but he knew 'whom' he followed. Like the old song that states, "I know not what the future holds, but I know WHO holds the future.." "..for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep safe what I have committed to Him until that Day." (2Tm1:12) The blind man was not following the crowds. But calls out to Jesus. Now, when he gets the message that Jesus is calling for him, hope springs to life, "He is actually calling for me!!" What more does he need! This newly-formed faith within him manifests itself into action. He rushes to Jesus. And his life? His wrap? Well, what does 'it' matter?! He's going to -JESUS-! Jesus is the very embodiment of his salvation! Now, Jesus asks...as if He didn't already know! "What do you want Me to do for you?" (Mk10:51) "My Master, that I may see again." Jesus' response, "Go your way; your faith has made you well.." (vs52) And what about all the crowds who were following Jesus? "For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind." (Jn9:39) Observe: The 'crowds' who were 'following' Jesus, crucified Him. The one who called out in faith, to him Jesus did not say, "Join along with these crowds who [think they are] following Me", but rather, based on your faith, "Go your way..." Amen!
Next related Topic: "[c]hristians Shall Fall"
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