Jesus Causes a Blind Man to See

Reference

Mark 10:46-52

Introduction

Jesus and his disciples were walking to Jerusalem. Jericho was 15 miles from Jerusalem. When poor people wanted money they often sat outside town gates. Lots of people went past. And the poor person could ask them for money.

There was a large crowd there in Jericho because they were also going to Jerusalem. They wanted to hear what Jesus said. They did not want to hear Bartimaeus shouting. So they told him to be quiet. But he knew that Jesus could help him. So he continued to shout.

Jesus asked Bartimaeus what he wanted. Jesus knew what Bartimaeus needed. But Jesus wanted him to ask for it himself. God knows what we need. But he wants us to tell him about it (Philippians 4:6).

It is interesting that Mark knew the blind man's name. Perhaps that is because Bartimaeus became a disciple. We know that he followed Jesus along the road.

Questions to ask

(Mark 10:47) Why was Bartimaeus shouting to Jesus?

(Mark 10:48) What did the crowd do? Why did they do that? Did Bartimaeus do what they said?

(Mark 10:49) What did Jesus do? Does Jesus ever refuse to listen when people ask him to help them?

(Mark 10:50) What did Bartimaeus do when Jesus called him?

(Mark 10:51) What was the most important thing to Bartimaeus?

(Mark 10:51-52) What did Bartimaeus need to do?

(Mark 10:52) Did Jesus make him see? When Bartimaeus could see, why did he follow Jesus? Why do we need to follow Jesus?

Something to do

Think about what we can learn about Jesus from this story.

Talk about blind people. Jesus does not always make them see. Talk about the reason for this. Think about how we can help someone who is blind. We can tell Jesus what we need, and he will help us.