I. Their Needs And Ours

A. Physical Blindness And More

1. Physical healing- obviously, he had a tremendous need to be able to see
2. Situational healing- what were their lives like b/c of blindness?

a. Broken family and friendships? Hardships on families, etc.
b. Lost dreams and hopes, plans, etc. Great discouragement

3. Social, cultural, spiritual healing

a. The Jewish culture thought that person born blind was a result of sin

i. Sin of the parents, the individual, or the individual in the womb
ii. John 9:2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
iii. The result, these men were social, cultural, spiritual outcasts
iv. They were wrongly judged, but stigmatized & judged none-the-less

b. They lived in a “no man’s land”- physical, spiritual, emotional darkness

i. Not many, if any, wanted them
ii. They were accepted only by their own kind- outcasts
iii. What if they believed the lie about the cause of their blindness?
iv. No way to know: guilt w/self, bitterness w/parents & God

B. Our Needs

1. Physical needs

a. Some of us have need of physical healing

. God still heals today
ii. James 5:13-16

b. Other physical needs, i.e., finances, housing, transportation, work

i. We are to diligently seek the Lord for our needs
ii. Matthew 6:31-34

2. Needs Of The Soul

a. We suffer damages in our souls- hurts done against us, and by us
b. We need healing in that non-physical part of us: the soul
c. Turn to 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24

i. Sanctify- hagiazo

a. to separate from profane things and dedicate to God
b. consecrate things to God, dedicate people to God
c. to purify, free from the guilt of sin & renewing of the soul

ii. Soul- psuchē- seat of the feelings, desires, affections; “heart & soul”

d. Our souls can prosper- 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

3. Most Importantly-Salvation

a. Eternal life, forgiveness of sins, the promise of heaven
b. Salvation- Sozo- wholeness, healing, health

II. Opposition

A. Against Them

1. The crowd thought them unworthy and undeserving

B. Against Us

1. Satan- 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

a. Devour- drink down, swallow, destroy

2. This World System, including friends and foes- See 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4

a. Unbelievers are blinded to the possibility of healing that Jesus can bring
b. They will tell us that we will never get better; just accept it
c. People may think we are unworthy & undeserving of healing
d. Our own fleshly mindsets and values; our “souls”; we believe the lies

III. Faith

A. Their Faith

1. They used a Messianic term for Jesus- O Lord, Son of David!”
2. They would not allow themselves to be discouraged by a discouraging crowd
3. They didn’t demand healing, or act like they deserved it, they asked for mercy
4. Blind Bartimaeus allowed others lead him to a Jesus he couldn’t see: desperation

a. Sometimes, in our afflictions, we resist the people that can lead us to Jesus

5. He threw aside his outer garment- a valuable piece of clothing for protection

a. To wear it or carry it would have slowed or hindered him

6. Wasn’t the need obvious? He didn’t object to Jesus’ questioning.

a. Jesus sought to bring “out” this man’s faith in a public way
b. V. 34 Jesus had compassion-a deep emotion. All He did was b/c of this

7. It was his (their) faith in Jesus that brought their healing.
8. Bartimaeus called Jesus Rabboni- “my precious Lord”
9. Bartimaeus was healed, and followed Jesus, and glorified Him.
9. The crowd gave praise to God.
10. NOTE- Against public opinion, and myriads of possible doubts and bitterness, Bartimaeus has faith in Jesus, publicly, and would not be held back.

a. He may have been confused about why he was blind, but moved in faith
b. He didn’t blame himself, parents, God, etc.
c. Bitterness didn’t stop him, etc.

11. Bartimaeus would not only be healed physically, but now followed Jesus
12. He would now be able to bless others, instead of being dependent

B. The Faith We Need

1. We all have something that hinders us, or eventually will hinder us.
2. Perhaps, you have not yet been incapacitated by some event/condition
3. We all face, or will face such conditions
4. It is then, perhaps now, that we need to be desperate for Jesus
5. We will not be healed from every ailment, physical or otherwise
6. Is there healing that Jesus wants to do, but doesn’t, because I/you don’t ask?

a. We listen to the crowd, intimidated by them, we believe the lies
b. We don’t come in faith
c. Jesus isn’t Rabboni to us
d. James 4:2 “…you do not have because you do not ask.”

7. Jesus heals us physically by His miraculous power, by giving us wisdom, by medicine, surgeries, etc. He created the principles which doctors depend upon
8. He heals our souls by His word, His Spirit, by truth, by a miraculous touch