October 29, 2006 am    Blind Man sat by the road and He cried   Mark 10:46-52

By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

I have heard it said that every blind pig will find an acorn every now and then.  What if you could get the pigs eyes fixed?  Would it be better to just put him in a room full of acorns or to go to the time and expense of getting the surgery for the pig’s eyes?  After all he is just a pig and doesn’t need or deserve the surgery.  There are lots of pigs who are in need as well.  Why should we try to help this one?  He doesn’t deserve the help of the master.  In Mark 10 the blind pig found an acorn that would change his life.  That one was Jesus.  He opens the eyes of the blind. 

Mark 10:46 (NIV) Then they came to Jericho . As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." 52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Should we be concerned about one who is blind?  Who are the blind in today’s society? 

The blind sit by the road of our lives begging for help.

The blind are crying out for Jesus to heal them.

Some tell them to be quiet.  Jesus opened more eyes that day than just the eyes of blind Bartimaeus.  What others eyes were opened that day?   What is the purpose of the followers of the Lord?  What is the purpose of the church? 

“Our business is people and

Our reason is Jesus Christ.

Our purpose is to personally live Jesus Christ. 

Because of His love for us,

We can love Him and one another.

We believe in the absolute necessity of conversion to Jesus,

The absolute reality of eternal life now in Jesus,

And the absolute need of each other in the fellowship of believers.

Our desire is to present Jesus Christ In compassion and understanding

To every individual who does not know Him,

And to encourage and develop every individual who does know Him. “

                                                                        By Gerry Hickman 

Jesus is here for all the people.  Are we as the church here for all the people?  Then how are we reaching them for the Lord? 

Jesus says to call him.  Will we call him?   Will we call them?   They called him and he came.  Calling them for Jesus is what we are called to do.  Have we? 

What if the shoe was on the other foot?

A Blind Beggar was sitting by the road.  You are the man. 

Jesus is coming your way today.

Some say don’t yell out, be quiet.  Don’t disturb the Master.  But he wants to be disturbed by you.   He knows your name and he waits for you to call.  Why?   He wants to help, but He doesn’t force his help on anyone.  Do you want Him?

Jesus is calling for you.  What does He want?  He wants you?  He wants you to be healed.  He wants you to be helped.  He wants you to be his. 

Will you come to Jesus?  Have you seen the light, the way, and the truth? 

What do you want Jesus to do for you?  Jesus is the light, the way, and the truth?

Go your faith has made you well.  Jesus will heal you.

Help is on the way!  Cheer up.  Throw aside the cloak of darkness and come to the light that you may be healed and helped. 

Do we have the faith to believe that Jesus can make the difference to the World?  Will we shine the light of the Lord?  What will we do?  What will you do? 

The blind man sat by the road and he cried (3x)
and he cried.

Show me the light,
show me the way,
show me the truth,
show me the light.

Jesus sat by the road and He cried (3x)
and He cried.

I am the Light,
I am the Way,
I am the Truth,
I am the Light.