1 00:00:00,910 --> 00:00:02,990 Speaker 1: For even the Son of Man did not come to 2 00:00:03,029 --> 00:00:06,990 Speaker 1: be served, but to serve, and to give his life 3 00:00:07,490 --> 00:00:16,820 Speaker 1: as a ransom for many. Mark 10.45 Dear Lord, Our 4 00:00:16,920 --> 00:00:24,080 Speaker 1: hearts are stirred by the ultimate example of humility and sacrifice. Jesus, 5 00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:27,720 Speaker 1: your willingness to serve others rather than to be served, 6 00:00:28,320 --> 00:00:32,630 Speaker 1: to lay down your life for us, illuminates the path 7 00:00:32,690 --> 00:00:39,050 Speaker 1: of true greatness in your kingdom. Inspire us with the 8 00:00:39,110 --> 00:00:44,060 Speaker 1: same spirit of humility. Infuse our hearts with a desire 9 00:00:44,100 --> 00:00:49,820 Speaker 1: to serve others, not seeking recognition or reward, but motivated 10 00:00:49,900 --> 00:00:56,400 Speaker 1: by love and compassion. Grant us the courage to follow 11 00:00:56,460 --> 00:01:02,970 Speaker 1: in Jesus' footsteps. Prioritize the needs of others. and embody 12 00:01:03,030 --> 00:01:09,670 Speaker 1: your love in our actions. May our lives reflect your 13 00:01:09,770 --> 00:01:15,890 Speaker 1: humility and selflessness, becoming beacons of hope and agents of 14 00:01:15,990 --> 00:01:21,789 Speaker 1: change in a world in need. Empower us to serve 15 00:01:21,870 --> 00:01:26,600 Speaker 1: with joy, to love without limits, and to make a 16 00:01:26,660 --> 00:01:30,929 Speaker 1: difference in the lives of those around us. In the 17 00:01:30,990 --> 00:01:35,930 Speaker 1: name of Jesus, our greatest example and source of strength, 18 00:01:36,630 --> 00:01:37,030 Speaker 1: we pray. 19 00:01:38,970 --> 00:01:39,230 Speaker 2: Amen. 20 00:01:40,910 --> 00:01:44,230 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 21 00:01:44,250 --> 00:01:50,360 Speaker 1: The Jesus Podcast. Groundbreaking stories of hope inspired by the Gospels. 22 00:01:51,600 --> 00:01:54,800 Speaker 1: Stay here for a story about a man going against 23 00:01:54,860 --> 00:02:00,040 Speaker 1: the crowd to reach Jesus. Follow this podcast on whatever 24 00:02:00,100 --> 00:02:03,940 Speaker 1: platform you're listening to. Doing so will keep you updated, 25 00:02:04,190 --> 00:02:08,329 Speaker 1: but also help us get discovered by more people. We 26 00:02:08,370 --> 00:02:11,790 Speaker 1: want the story of Jesus to be known throughout the world. 27 00:02:12,550 --> 00:02:18,430 Speaker 1: Thanks for making that possible. Bartimaeus sat in the shadow 28 00:02:18,510 --> 00:02:23,149 Speaker 1: of Jericho's bustling gates, where the cacophony of life melded 29 00:02:23,250 --> 00:02:24,710 Speaker 1: with the whispers. 30 00:02:24,230 --> 00:02:25,220 Speaker 3: Of ancient stones. 31 00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:30,540 Speaker 1: His world was one of perpetual darkness, where the sun's 32 00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:34,440 Speaker 1: warmth and the breeze's chill were the only signs of 33 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:39,560 Speaker 1: day and night. His days were spent begging by the gates, 34 00:02:40,680 --> 00:02:46,239 Speaker 1: earnestly seeking charity from travelers and merchants. He spoke with 35 00:02:46,280 --> 00:02:52,300 Speaker 1: other beggars nearby, bonding over their shared struggles. He spent 36 00:02:52,340 --> 00:02:56,169 Speaker 1: his nights tucked underneath a canopy near the gates, where 37 00:02:56,210 --> 00:03:01,410 Speaker 1: he and the others huddled together for one. They were 38 00:03:01,450 --> 00:03:06,910 Speaker 1: a weary band of outcasts, forced by pain and fate 39 00:03:07,660 --> 00:03:08,440 Speaker 1: to stick together. 40 00:03:09,750 --> 00:03:11,079 Speaker 2: Alms for a blind man. 41 00:03:12,340 --> 00:03:15,220 Speaker 1: Bartimaeus would ask in the darkness as people passed by. 42 00:03:15,980 --> 00:03:17,900 Speaker 2: Any mercy for a man in need? 43 00:03:18,540 --> 00:03:21,840 Speaker 1: Bartimaeus had nearly forgotten the beauty of a sunset or 44 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:26,340 Speaker 1: the splendor of a springtime meadow. All he had known 45 00:03:26,550 --> 00:03:33,169 Speaker 1: for years was darkness. Little did he know that the 46 00:03:33,270 --> 00:03:36,370 Speaker 1: light of humanity was walking toward him. 47 00:03:41,690 --> 00:03:45,830 Speaker 4: Never put godly counsel above the counsel of God. Even 48 00:03:45,910 --> 00:03:48,610 Speaker 4: our most trusted friends or people who seem to know 49 00:03:48,670 --> 00:03:51,840 Speaker 4: better than us can give us bad advice. It's good 50 00:03:51,850 --> 00:03:54,460 Speaker 4: to have people you can hear from but never listen 51 00:03:54,500 --> 00:03:57,160 Speaker 4: to the words of those that are in contradiction to 52 00:03:57,200 --> 00:04:02,020 Speaker 4: God's word. Psalm 119, 105 reads this, Your word is 53 00:04:02,060 --> 00:04:05,100 Speaker 4: a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. 54 00:04:05,680 --> 00:04:08,740 Speaker 4: Let God's word shine above all others and be the 55 00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:13,360 Speaker 4: guiding principle in your life. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast, 56 00:04:13,780 --> 00:04:16,360 Speaker 4: a year of stories showcasing the depth of Christ's love 57 00:04:16,540 --> 00:04:19,050 Speaker 4: and the glory of God's truth. I'm Zach, your host 58 00:04:19,060 --> 00:04:21,969 Speaker 4: from Pray.com, and I'm excited you're joining us for another 59 00:04:22,010 --> 00:04:24,849 Speaker 4: story today. Get updates for new episodes by hitting the 60 00:04:24,870 --> 00:04:27,510 Speaker 4: follow button as we continue to hear stories of how 61 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:31,660 Speaker 4: Jesus meets the outcasts. In the Gospel of Matthew, we 62 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:34,680 Speaker 4: read a compelling story of Jesus healing a blind man 63 00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:38,099 Speaker 4: named Bartimaeus. In Mark and Luke, we learn that Bartimaeus 64 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 4: had a companion who was also blind and healed at 65 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:43,750 Speaker 4: the feet of Jesus. As these two men spent their 66 00:04:43,790 --> 00:04:46,690 Speaker 4: days in darkness around the gates of Jericho, there didn't 67 00:04:46,830 --> 00:04:49,490 Speaker 4: seem to be much in life for them save for 68 00:04:49,589 --> 00:04:52,719 Speaker 4: begging and idly letting the day slip by. What else 69 00:04:52,740 --> 00:04:55,700 Speaker 4: could you do? That is, until one day they hear 70 00:04:55,750 --> 00:04:59,710 Speaker 4: the word of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, leaving their 71 00:04:59,750 --> 00:05:03,330 Speaker 4: very city. With Jesus' fame and renown at its peak, 72 00:05:03,430 --> 00:05:06,110 Speaker 4: these two men knew that this would be their chance 73 00:05:06,150 --> 00:05:08,770 Speaker 4: to receive healing from the one who had given sight 74 00:05:08,810 --> 00:05:11,669 Speaker 4: to the blind of so many others. Today was the 75 00:05:11,690 --> 00:05:14,590 Speaker 4: day of salvation for them. It was now or never. 76 00:05:15,089 --> 00:05:18,890 Speaker 4: This is Jesus' final miracle recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, 77 00:05:19,070 --> 00:05:23,350 Speaker 4: and Luke before triumphantly entering the city of Jerusalem. In 78 00:05:23,370 --> 00:05:27,050 Speaker 4: the final moments of Jesus' ministry of healing, he deliberately 79 00:05:27,110 --> 00:05:29,650 Speaker 4: gives sight to the blind. But this sight is much 80 00:05:29,740 --> 00:05:31,900 Speaker 4: more than the ability to see in the physical world. 81 00:05:32,240 --> 00:05:35,120 Speaker 4: This miracle was a shadow of things to come as 82 00:05:35,240 --> 00:05:38,480 Speaker 4: Jesus opens the eyes of our hearts to see salvation. 83 00:05:41,380 --> 00:05:43,800 Speaker 1: And what's the baker making today, Bartimaeus? 84 00:05:46,670 --> 00:05:51,730 Speaker 3: Rosemary loaves with... Ah. dried honeycomb. 85 00:05:53,510 --> 00:05:58,260 Speaker 1: Bartimaeus replied with a smile. His lack of vision had 86 00:05:58,339 --> 00:06:03,080 Speaker 1: heightened his other senses and given him appreciation for other beauties. 87 00:06:04,740 --> 00:06:08,360 Speaker 1: He could hear each unique songbird and knew them. 88 00:06:08,310 --> 00:06:08,960 Speaker 3: By their tunes. 89 00:06:10,550 --> 00:06:13,790 Speaker 1: He could smell each ingredient in a cake baking in 90 00:06:13,810 --> 00:06:19,530 Speaker 1: the marketplace. He recognized each generous villager by their footsteps 91 00:06:19,550 --> 00:06:24,440 Speaker 1: and and knew when to reach out for coins. So 92 00:06:24,500 --> 00:06:29,390 Speaker 1: when a distant commotion emerged within the city, Bartimaeus perked 93 00:06:29,490 --> 00:06:35,909 Speaker 1: up with curiosity. The name Jesus fluttered through the air 94 00:06:36,029 --> 00:06:39,490 Speaker 1: like a leaf caught in a gentle stream, stirring a 95 00:06:39,589 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 1: torrent of hope and desperation within Bartimaeus. 96 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:45,060 Speaker 3: Did you hear that? 97 00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:48,640 Speaker 1: Bartimaeus turned to his companion with anxious excitement. 98 00:06:49,230 --> 00:06:53,210 Speaker 3: Jesus is here in Jericho. Who is Jesus? 99 00:06:54,290 --> 00:06:56,470 Speaker 1: Bartimaeus shook his head in disbelief. 100 00:06:57,070 --> 00:06:59,469 Speaker 2: You haven't listened to anything for the past year, have you? 101 00:07:00,250 --> 00:07:03,409 Speaker 2: Stories about Jesus have been whispered and shouted on this 102 00:07:03,450 --> 00:07:07,610 Speaker 2: road since his sermon in Capernaum. He's healed lepers and 103 00:07:07,790 --> 00:07:12,830 Speaker 2: given the lame their legs again. He's given sermons about mercy, love, 104 00:07:12,890 --> 00:07:17,810 Speaker 2: and righteousness. Some people say he's a messiah, the son 105 00:07:17,850 --> 00:07:19,580 Speaker 2: of David, we've been waiting for. 106 00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:24,890 Speaker 1: Bartimaeus' voice quivered with excitement, his hands shaking as if 107 00:07:24,950 --> 00:07:26,770 Speaker 1: he could sense Jesus approaching. 108 00:07:27,570 --> 00:07:29,730 Speaker 2: He's even restored sight to the blind. 109 00:07:30,210 --> 00:07:33,150 Speaker 3: And he's there in Jericho? How can you be certain? 110 00:07:33,650 --> 00:07:37,490 Speaker 3: Press your palms against the dirt, my friend. Press your 111 00:07:37,550 --> 00:07:39,490 Speaker 3: palms against the dirt, my friend. 112 00:07:40,570 --> 00:07:43,710 Speaker 2: Do you feel the stampede of people approaching the gates? 113 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:47,640 Speaker 2: A crowd like that can only mean two things. One. 114 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:53,780 Speaker 3: A riot stirred by the zealots. To Jesus of Nazareth. 115 00:07:54,260 --> 00:07:58,950 Speaker 1: Sure enough, as Bartimaeus spoke those words, a crowd poured 116 00:07:59,010 --> 00:08:03,730 Speaker 1: out of the city gates. Bartimaeus could feel the electricity 117 00:08:03,790 --> 00:08:08,810 Speaker 1: surrounding them. Each person was lit up with excitement and wonder. 118 00:08:10,150 --> 00:08:15,060 Speaker 1: Everyone wanted a glimpse of Jesus, but nobody more than Bartimaeus. 119 00:08:16,770 --> 00:08:20,310 Speaker 1: He lifted himself onto his feet, steadying himself against. 120 00:08:20,090 --> 00:08:23,750 Speaker 3: The stone wall. I'm going after him, Bartimaeus said with. 121 00:08:23,650 --> 00:08:29,630 Speaker 1: A determined spark in his voice. Wary and curious, his 122 00:08:29,690 --> 00:08:34,650 Speaker 1: companion laid a restraining hand upon his arm. Bartimaeus, think wisely. 123 00:08:35,230 --> 00:08:38,730 Speaker 3: It sounds like an enormous crowd. You could be trampled, 124 00:08:39,130 --> 00:08:41,230 Speaker 3: or worse. Is it worth the risk? 125 00:08:41,830 --> 00:08:44,410 Speaker 1: But Bartimaeus shrugged off the cautionary grip. 126 00:08:45,270 --> 00:08:48,439 Speaker 2: If I stay here, I remain in darkness. But if 127 00:08:48,500 --> 00:08:51,560 Speaker 2: I go to him, there. 128 00:08:50,340 --> 00:08:54,900 Speaker 3: Might be light. I must try, he stepped forward and added. 129 00:08:55,559 --> 00:08:58,630 Speaker 3: If you want to see the sunrise again, follow me. 130 00:08:59,309 --> 00:09:03,810 Speaker 1: With a determination that seemed to lend him sight, Bartimaeus rose, 131 00:09:04,630 --> 00:09:10,720 Speaker 1: his every step a testament to his unwavering faith. The 132 00:09:10,750 --> 00:09:13,740 Speaker 1: crowd was like the walls of Jericho in the times 133 00:09:13,780 --> 00:09:21,060 Speaker 1: of Joshua. unyielding and sturdy. But with faith, Bartimaeus knew 134 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:27,520 Speaker 1: his cries would tear the walls down. Bartimaeus took more steps, 135 00:09:28,260 --> 00:09:32,460 Speaker 1: which soon turned to running. He threw himself into the 136 00:09:32,580 --> 00:09:33,600 Speaker 1: throng of bodies. 137 00:09:34,140 --> 00:09:37,210 Speaker 2: Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me! 138 00:09:37,610 --> 00:09:41,850 Speaker 1: Bartimaeus' voice was like a battering ram, desperately trying to 139 00:09:41,910 --> 00:09:47,080 Speaker 1: break through to Jesus. His plea, however, was met with hostility. 140 00:09:48,120 --> 00:09:51,260 Speaker 1: Two men shoved him aside as if they were Jesus' 141 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:57,910 Speaker 1: personal guards. They sneered, their hands rough as they thrust 142 00:09:57,950 --> 00:10:00,990 Speaker 1: him to the ground, but the earth beneath him, beaten 143 00:10:01,470 --> 00:10:07,500 Speaker 1: and trodden, became holy ground to Bartimaeus. From the dust 144 00:10:07,920 --> 00:10:13,240 Speaker 1: his cries arose, a defiant roar against the voices of doubt. 145 00:10:13,780 --> 00:10:17,160 Speaker 2: Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me. 146 00:10:17,660 --> 00:10:21,670 Speaker 1: His voice was a shout of pure desperation and faith. 147 00:10:22,750 --> 00:10:25,809 Speaker 1: He knew his cries would reach the ears of Jesus. 148 00:10:26,830 --> 00:10:29,530 Speaker 1: He knew that the Messiah had time for the likes 149 00:10:29,590 --> 00:10:34,330 Speaker 1: of a beggar like him. He knew something profound that 150 00:10:34,390 --> 00:10:41,650 Speaker 1: these two men didn't. Jesus always heard the outcast. Bartimaeus' 151 00:10:41,730 --> 00:10:45,610 Speaker 1: legs quivered as he rose to his feet. In defiance, 152 00:10:46,030 --> 00:10:48,370 Speaker 1: He raised his voice again and stepped forward. 153 00:10:49,740 --> 00:10:50,200 Speaker 4: Jesus! 154 00:10:50,679 --> 00:10:51,420 Speaker 2: Son of David! 155 00:10:52,660 --> 00:10:57,280 Speaker 1: Before he finished, he was tripped into it. A few laughed. 156 00:10:58,100 --> 00:11:02,120 Speaker 1: Others scoffed. The sound of mockery was like a dagger 157 00:11:02,350 --> 00:11:07,610 Speaker 1: to his poor heart. But a single voice called out 158 00:11:07,670 --> 00:11:12,390 Speaker 1: from among them. A voice Bartimaeus had desperately longed to hear. 159 00:11:13,830 --> 00:11:14,530 Speaker 3: It was gentle. 160 00:11:15,540 --> 00:11:20,350 Speaker 1: Yet imbued with an authority that stilled every heart. Bring 161 00:11:20,380 --> 00:11:23,290 Speaker 1: him to me, the command brought the crowd to a halt. 162 00:11:24,370 --> 00:11:29,809 Speaker 1: Everyone was quiet. Bartimaeus could not see it, but could 163 00:11:29,950 --> 00:11:35,189 Speaker 1: feel the ground shifting beneath him. A way was being 164 00:11:35,290 --> 00:11:39,690 Speaker 1: made for him to access Jesus. The same men who 165 00:11:39,750 --> 00:11:44,809 Speaker 1: shoved Bartimaeus to the ground lifted him up and dusted. 166 00:11:44,540 --> 00:11:45,320 Speaker 3: Off his clothes. 167 00:11:45,960 --> 00:11:49,800 Speaker 2: Take heart, my friend. Jesus is calling to you. Quick, 168 00:11:50,220 --> 00:11:51,360 Speaker 2: we'll escort you to him. 169 00:11:52,040 --> 00:11:56,060 Speaker 1: Bartimaeus threw his cloak aside, coins spilling from his. 170 00:11:56,059 --> 00:11:57,020 Speaker 3: Pockets onto the floor. 171 00:11:58,000 --> 00:12:02,540 Speaker 1: He ran with blind faith toward Jesus, trusting that he 172 00:12:02,559 --> 00:12:08,610 Speaker 1: would eventually fall at his feet. Two strong arms stopped him, 173 00:12:09,710 --> 00:12:14,310 Speaker 1: and in that moment, Bartimaeus knew he was in the 174 00:12:14,370 --> 00:12:18,490 Speaker 1: presence of Jesus. Murmurs and whispers spread throughout the sea 175 00:12:18,530 --> 00:12:24,150 Speaker 1: of people. Bartimaeus could hear every one of them. They 176 00:12:24,190 --> 00:12:29,780 Speaker 1: were voices of doubt and irritation. These sounds had become 177 00:12:29,840 --> 00:12:35,280 Speaker 1: the backdrop of Bartimaeus' life. He had always felt like 178 00:12:35,320 --> 00:12:41,000 Speaker 1: an inconvenience. He was a beggar. Therefore, his livelihood depended 179 00:12:41,460 --> 00:12:48,880 Speaker 1: on interrupting people. The familiar shame... overcame him... causing him 180 00:12:48,929 --> 00:12:53,890 Speaker 1: to hunch over apologetically. But Jesus spoke again. 181 00:12:55,270 --> 00:13:00,290 Speaker 3: with a voice unwavering... in its gentle strength. Shalom, my friend. 182 00:13:01,470 --> 00:13:06,380 Speaker 1: Jesus' warm greeting... slowly melted away the icy stares of 183 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:12,920 Speaker 1: the crowd. Jesus didn't see Bartimaeus as a burden... or inconvenience. 184 00:13:14,559 --> 00:13:15,280 Speaker 3: At that moment. 185 00:13:16,450 --> 00:13:22,670 Speaker 1: The crowd saw Bartimaeus as Jesus did. A fellow image-bearer 186 00:13:22,970 --> 00:13:29,780 Speaker 1: of God. Burdened, but filled with untapped potential. What can 187 00:13:29,840 --> 00:13:33,500 Speaker 1: I do for you? The answer was evident to everyone. 188 00:13:34,520 --> 00:13:39,880 Speaker 1: But still, Bartimaeus paused to consider the question. He had 189 00:13:39,900 --> 00:13:42,250 Speaker 1: been a beggar for so long that asking for money 190 00:13:42,280 --> 00:13:47,670 Speaker 1: had become second nature. He rarely had space to consider 191 00:13:47,750 --> 00:13:54,420 Speaker 1: desires beyond his next meal or finding shelter. But before Jesus, 192 00:13:56,020 --> 00:14:01,600 Speaker 1: Bartimaeus could finally think of needs beyond food and safety. Rabbi, 193 00:14:02,880 --> 00:14:06,780 Speaker 1: he said, his voice a mere whisper, yet carrying the 194 00:14:06,820 --> 00:14:08,120 Speaker 1: weight of his entire being. 195 00:14:08,820 --> 00:14:13,080 Speaker 3: I want to see. Jesus said, whose. 196 00:14:13,020 --> 00:14:17,060 Speaker 1: Gaze pierced the veils of the night that shrouded Bartimaeus' world, 197 00:14:18,620 --> 00:14:21,150 Speaker 1: replied with a tenderness that seemed. 198 00:14:20,870 --> 00:14:25,010 Speaker 3: To embrace him, Go, your faith has made you well. 199 00:14:25,970 --> 00:14:30,590 Speaker 1: At that moment, the scales of darkness fell from Bartimaeus' eyes, 200 00:14:31,810 --> 00:14:39,150 Speaker 1: and he saw not just the light of day, but 201 00:14:39,200 --> 00:14:45,820 Speaker 1: the light of the world standing before him. Jesus gestured 202 00:14:45,860 --> 00:14:51,400 Speaker 1: to the distance, inviting Bartimaeus to look around him. His 203 00:14:51,640 --> 00:14:56,320 Speaker 1: eyes beamed with delight as he beheld the songbirds and 204 00:14:56,340 --> 00:15:04,060 Speaker 1: the wildflowers. The world was vibrant again. Bartimaeus looked behind him. 205 00:15:05,020 --> 00:15:08,840 Speaker 1: His companion, once blind and begging beside him, stood a 206 00:15:08,900 --> 00:15:14,520 Speaker 1: few paces away, smiling from ear to ear. He had 207 00:15:14,580 --> 00:15:19,030 Speaker 1: followed Bartimaeus, stepping with his own faith to see Jesus. 208 00:15:20,850 --> 00:15:24,830 Speaker 1: The two of them laughed and hugged each other. Jesus 209 00:15:24,930 --> 00:15:33,330 Speaker 1: embraced them. Jesus continued on his way. Bartimaeus followed. The crowd, 210 00:15:33,490 --> 00:15:37,500 Speaker 1: so sure in their knowledge of Jesus, had been revealed 211 00:15:37,540 --> 00:15:43,240 Speaker 1: in their actions as strangers to his heart. But Bartimaeus... 212 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:47,840 Speaker 1: blind though he may have been, saw Jesus for who 213 00:15:48,260 --> 00:15:53,960 Speaker 1: he truly was. As he followed Jesus along the road, 214 00:15:55,280 --> 00:15:59,300 Speaker 1: his path illuminated by the light of faith and sight restored, 215 00:16:01,120 --> 00:16:04,360 Speaker 1: Bartimaeus knew that it was not just his eyes that 216 00:16:04,380 --> 00:16:10,450 Speaker 1: had been opened, but the eyes of his heart. And 217 00:16:10,520 --> 00:16:16,600 Speaker 1: recognizing Jesus, He had found not only physical healing, but 218 00:16:16,640 --> 00:16:21,470 Speaker 1: the revelation of a love so profound, it sought him 219 00:16:21,880 --> 00:16:27,310 Speaker 1: out of his darkness and called him into the light. 220 00:16:32,110 --> 00:16:34,930 Speaker 4: We all have voices that we regularly turn to in 221 00:16:34,990 --> 00:16:38,370 Speaker 4: moments of doubt, in moments of uncertainty. The teachers who 222 00:16:38,450 --> 00:16:40,890 Speaker 4: offer us wisdom and insights as we traverse through life. 223 00:16:41,330 --> 00:16:44,130 Speaker 4: friends with words of encouragement and affirmation to keep us 224 00:16:44,190 --> 00:16:47,930 Speaker 4: moving forward. Perhaps parents or loved ones who offer consolation 225 00:16:47,970 --> 00:16:50,910 Speaker 4: and comfort in dark moments. These voices can be a 226 00:16:51,050 --> 00:16:54,650 Speaker 4: wonderful blessing in life. The Bible continually reminds us that 227 00:16:54,730 --> 00:16:57,790 Speaker 4: we have to surround ourselves with good counsel, people who 228 00:16:57,830 --> 00:16:59,550 Speaker 4: care about us, but people who are also going to 229 00:16:59,570 --> 00:17:02,070 Speaker 4: tell us the truth, even when it's hard to hear. 230 00:17:02,650 --> 00:17:05,490 Speaker 4: But we have to know that nobody's perfect, and their 231 00:17:05,530 --> 00:17:09,050 Speaker 4: words won't be either. Sometimes we get bad advice or 232 00:17:09,109 --> 00:17:12,690 Speaker 4: find ourselves surrounded by pessimism to give up. It's good 233 00:17:12,710 --> 00:17:13,850 Speaker 4: to have voices of reason. 234 00:17:14,590 --> 00:17:15,429 Speaker 1: Until a point. 235 00:17:16,150 --> 00:17:19,300 Speaker 4: Today's story shows us two men who have the chance 236 00:17:19,490 --> 00:17:22,920 Speaker 4: for change. The moment they've been waiting for to have 237 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:26,440 Speaker 4: their whole lives turned around. Jesus was finally near enough 238 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:28,840 Speaker 4: for them to meet him. And if God's favor was 239 00:17:28,900 --> 00:17:32,399 Speaker 4: upon them, they were near enough for a miraculous healing. 240 00:17:33,090 --> 00:17:35,949 Speaker 4: Though they had been through the margins of societies as 241 00:17:36,109 --> 00:17:40,500 Speaker 4: outcasts trapped in a cloak of darkness, Bartimaeus wasn't going 242 00:17:40,540 --> 00:17:44,120 Speaker 4: to let the negativity of others rob him from his hope. 243 00:17:44,780 --> 00:17:49,560 Speaker 4: You see, Bartimaeus was desperately grasping for Jesus. The crowds 244 00:17:49,680 --> 00:17:53,020 Speaker 4: were trying to deny him access. As the crowds pressed 245 00:17:53,060 --> 00:17:55,859 Speaker 4: towards Jesus and pushed the two blind men to the 246 00:17:55,940 --> 00:18:00,510 Speaker 4: sidelines of life, Bartimaeus found a boldness, to fight against 247 00:18:00,570 --> 00:18:03,730 Speaker 4: the pessimism, to fight against the voices that told him 248 00:18:03,780 --> 00:18:06,880 Speaker 4: to stay back. Bartimaeus had a boldness to not give 249 00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:09,659 Speaker 4: up any ground in his endeavor to reach for the 250 00:18:09,700 --> 00:18:13,830 Speaker 4: Lord Jesus, the son of David. Bartimaeus was putting himself 251 00:18:13,900 --> 00:18:16,850 Speaker 4: at risk by throwing himself into the crowd. He was 252 00:18:16,890 --> 00:18:19,609 Speaker 4: at their mercy because he couldn't see anything. He could 253 00:18:19,630 --> 00:18:23,109 Speaker 4: be pushed and shoved with veracity, and they would maybe 254 00:18:23,190 --> 00:18:26,590 Speaker 4: tramp along over him. The jabs, the pushing, the shoving 255 00:18:26,630 --> 00:18:29,350 Speaker 4: could have left these two men broken on the floor 256 00:18:29,390 --> 00:18:33,090 Speaker 4: to be trampled. But despite the risk, Barnabas knew that 257 00:18:33,130 --> 00:18:36,869 Speaker 4: getting to Jesus was worth it all. Following Jesus requires 258 00:18:36,910 --> 00:18:39,620 Speaker 4: that we take risks. It's a call to leave behind 259 00:18:39,690 --> 00:18:42,200 Speaker 4: our old lives. It compels us to combat the things 260 00:18:42,240 --> 00:18:44,220 Speaker 4: of this world that would try and bring us down. 261 00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:47,600 Speaker 4: It leads us to places of discomfort and sometimes even danger. 262 00:18:47,940 --> 00:18:50,379 Speaker 4: But when we choose to follow Jesus, the odds are 263 00:18:50,500 --> 00:18:53,419 Speaker 4: always in our favor. Whatever path we must take to 264 00:18:53,460 --> 00:18:55,740 Speaker 4: get to Jesus and follow him, we can be sure 265 00:18:55,760 --> 00:18:58,660 Speaker 4: of two things. The first is knowing that he will 266 00:18:58,700 --> 00:19:08,990 Speaker 4: bless us. In Ephesians 1.3, the apostle Paul writes, Despite 267 00:19:09,030 --> 00:19:12,070 Speaker 4: whatever we face losing in boldly making our way to Jesus, 268 00:19:12,150 --> 00:19:14,710 Speaker 4: the blessing on the other side is always worth it. 269 00:19:15,430 --> 00:19:17,450 Speaker 4: The second thing we can be sure of is knowing 270 00:19:17,510 --> 00:19:19,990 Speaker 4: that he will empower us for any obstacle that stands 271 00:19:20,030 --> 00:19:22,609 Speaker 4: in our way. Paul writes to the Philippian church in 272 00:19:22,630 --> 00:19:26,400 Speaker 4: Philippians 4, I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances. 273 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:28,300 Speaker 4: I know what it is to be in need, and 274 00:19:28,340 --> 00:19:30,080 Speaker 4: I know what it is to have plenty. I have 275 00:19:30,119 --> 00:19:32,859 Speaker 4: learned the secret of being content. And in every situation, 276 00:19:32,920 --> 00:19:36,139 Speaker 4: whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, 277 00:19:36,440 --> 00:19:39,639 Speaker 4: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 278 00:19:40,290 --> 00:19:43,169 Speaker 4: You see, we love Philippians 4.13. We use it on 279 00:19:43,210 --> 00:19:45,869 Speaker 4: our coffee mugs, our bumper stickers, and frame it on 280 00:19:45,910 --> 00:19:48,810 Speaker 4: our walls as a mantra that we can do anything 281 00:19:49,050 --> 00:19:52,490 Speaker 4: by Christ's strength. But in the context of the passage, 282 00:19:52,890 --> 00:19:55,270 Speaker 4: we see that this verse is packed with much more 283 00:19:55,590 --> 00:19:58,609 Speaker 4: of a promise. What Paul has learned in his experience 284 00:19:58,650 --> 00:20:01,890 Speaker 4: of faith isn't that Jesus is a spiritual vending machine 285 00:20:01,970 --> 00:20:04,990 Speaker 4: or a wish grantor, allowing him to attain anything his 286 00:20:05,010 --> 00:20:09,090 Speaker 4: heart desires. Instead, He's learned that the road to following 287 00:20:09,150 --> 00:20:12,820 Speaker 4: Jesus is narrow, full of twists and turns, highs and lows, 288 00:20:13,080 --> 00:20:16,560 Speaker 4: suffering and triumph. But through the strength afforded to him 289 00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:19,560 Speaker 4: through Christ, he was able to endure it all with 290 00:20:19,600 --> 00:20:23,040 Speaker 4: a boldness and boast about the greatness of God, even 291 00:20:23,100 --> 00:20:27,500 Speaker 4: amidst great trial and difficulty. As Bartimaeus and his friends 292 00:20:27,680 --> 00:20:30,600 Speaker 4: weave their way through the crowds, Bartimaeus begins to lift 293 00:20:30,660 --> 00:20:33,700 Speaker 4: up his voice and shout for Jesus, crying, Jesus, Son 294 00:20:33,720 --> 00:20:36,899 Speaker 4: of David, have mercy on me. His cry blended in 295 00:20:36,980 --> 00:20:39,480 Speaker 4: with the hundreds of other voices that were likely calling 296 00:20:39,540 --> 00:20:42,730 Speaker 4: out to get Jesus' attention. And even though there were 297 00:20:42,830 --> 00:20:45,530 Speaker 4: some around him who tried to quiet his roar for help, 298 00:20:45,890 --> 00:20:48,770 Speaker 4: like a lion on the hunt, he couldn't be stopped. 299 00:20:49,230 --> 00:20:51,669 Speaker 4: He cries out again, Son of David, have mercy on me. 300 00:20:52,250 --> 00:20:54,930 Speaker 4: It was at this moment that the Lord stopped. There 301 00:20:55,109 --> 00:20:58,830 Speaker 4: must have been something different in Bartimaeus' call. Perhaps not 302 00:20:58,890 --> 00:21:02,739 Speaker 4: something perceptible to the ears, but something different in what 303 00:21:02,820 --> 00:21:06,920 Speaker 4: Jesus perceived in Bartimaeus' heart. A shimmering well of faith, 304 00:21:07,340 --> 00:21:11,700 Speaker 4: a determination to be near Jesus. This unwavering courage, despite 305 00:21:11,760 --> 00:21:15,520 Speaker 4: the voices of doubt, seeking God. It was this that 306 00:21:15,560 --> 00:21:17,840 Speaker 4: caused Jesus to command the people to call the blind 307 00:21:17,880 --> 00:21:19,680 Speaker 4: man to him. You see, there's going to be a 308 00:21:19,740 --> 00:21:22,060 Speaker 4: lot of people that tell you to calm down. There's 309 00:21:22,080 --> 00:21:23,540 Speaker 4: going to be a lot of people that tell you 310 00:21:23,580 --> 00:21:24,080 Speaker 4: to chill out. 311 00:21:24,100 --> 00:21:24,760 Speaker 3: There's going to. 312 00:21:24,740 --> 00:21:26,400 Speaker 4: Be a lot of people telling you that your vigor, 313 00:21:26,480 --> 00:21:30,929 Speaker 4: your fire, your enthusiasm is just distracting people from the 314 00:21:31,030 --> 00:21:34,300 Speaker 4: actual mission that's ahead. But there's only one voice that 315 00:21:34,359 --> 00:21:36,800 Speaker 4: truly matters in the end. And that's the voice of 316 00:21:36,880 --> 00:21:40,680 Speaker 4: Christ beckoning you forward. We should never let the voices 317 00:21:40,820 --> 00:21:44,959 Speaker 4: of doubt stop us from being passionate and passionately pursuing Jesus. 318 00:21:45,550 --> 00:21:47,350 Speaker 4: When we call out to Jesus, whether it's the most 319 00:21:47,470 --> 00:21:50,330 Speaker 4: meager or humble whisper for help or the strongest in 320 00:21:50,369 --> 00:21:53,790 Speaker 4: passion shout, Jesus hears us when we call. And he 321 00:21:53,850 --> 00:21:57,689 Speaker 4: calls back to us saying, come near. There's something truly moving. 322 00:21:57,810 --> 00:22:00,310 Speaker 4: Don't feed into the lies that tell you to calm down. 323 00:22:00,790 --> 00:22:03,430 Speaker 4: Don't feed into the negative voices in your life that 324 00:22:03,470 --> 00:22:07,760 Speaker 4: tell you to stop being so passionate. Jesus wants to 325 00:22:07,820 --> 00:22:11,660 Speaker 4: hear from you, and he loves your boldness. I remember 326 00:22:11,700 --> 00:22:14,880 Speaker 4: being in a worship service once, and this worship service 327 00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:17,600 Speaker 4: was one of the standard worship services you would find 328 00:22:17,660 --> 00:22:20,429 Speaker 4: in an evangelical church. Some people are singing loud. Some 329 00:22:20,470 --> 00:22:23,350 Speaker 4: people are singing quietly. Some people are raising their hands. 330 00:22:23,410 --> 00:22:26,469 Speaker 4: Some people have their hands in their pockets. Everyone worships 331 00:22:26,510 --> 00:22:29,050 Speaker 4: in their own way. But there was one person in 332 00:22:29,070 --> 00:22:32,710 Speaker 4: the front who was particularly loud. Now, I would be 333 00:22:32,770 --> 00:22:35,350 Speaker 4: lying if I said that he wasn't distracting me a bit. 334 00:22:35,609 --> 00:22:38,149 Speaker 4: You see, he was dancing, he was going up and 335 00:22:38,170 --> 00:22:41,280 Speaker 4: down the aisles. It wasn't performative. You could just tell 336 00:22:41,340 --> 00:22:44,760 Speaker 4: that this man was so overwhelmed with joy that he 337 00:22:44,800 --> 00:22:47,879 Speaker 4: just couldn't help it. He couldn't contain himself. Did he 338 00:22:47,900 --> 00:22:51,300 Speaker 4: have a few screws loose? Maybe, but that really wasn't 339 00:22:51,340 --> 00:22:54,000 Speaker 4: the point. He was so joyful in the presence of 340 00:22:54,060 --> 00:22:56,460 Speaker 4: God and he was shouting and he was praying and 341 00:22:56,500 --> 00:22:59,720 Speaker 4: he was praising to the Lord. And I'll never forget 342 00:22:59,760 --> 00:23:03,020 Speaker 4: the cynicism I had in my heart. I was thinking, man, 343 00:23:03,100 --> 00:23:05,679 Speaker 4: who's going to come and calm this guy down? But 344 00:23:05,720 --> 00:23:08,240 Speaker 4: then the pastor came up. The pastor came up and 345 00:23:08,260 --> 00:23:11,040 Speaker 4: he was pointing to the man and he said, heaven 346 00:23:11,100 --> 00:23:13,480 Speaker 4: is going to be filled with people like you, brother. 347 00:23:13,859 --> 00:23:17,139 Speaker 4: People who can't contain the joy of being in the 348 00:23:17,220 --> 00:23:22,030 Speaker 4: presence of Jesus. You see, that statement floored me. I 349 00:23:22,050 --> 00:23:24,450 Speaker 4: was someone who had the attitude of, let's shut this 350 00:23:24,510 --> 00:23:28,690 Speaker 4: guy up. But then I found a heavenly perspective. This 351 00:23:28,770 --> 00:23:32,520 Speaker 4: man was overflowing with joy. Now, is there a time 352 00:23:32,560 --> 00:23:33,580 Speaker 4: and place for everything? 353 00:23:33,900 --> 00:23:34,480 Speaker 3: Absolutely. 354 00:23:34,720 --> 00:23:37,520 Speaker 4: Should we be distracting others from worshiping? And there's plenty 355 00:23:37,540 --> 00:23:40,220 Speaker 4: of moments in scripture where we find that actually being 356 00:23:40,300 --> 00:23:44,300 Speaker 4: loud and obnoxious is actually the antithesis of what God 357 00:23:44,380 --> 00:23:47,470 Speaker 4: calls us to do. But in this specific context, it 358 00:23:47,530 --> 00:23:51,379 Speaker 4: seemed right. This man was overflowing with joy, wanting to 359 00:23:51,420 --> 00:23:54,560 Speaker 4: be near Jesus. And do you know what? The pastor 360 00:23:54,600 --> 00:23:56,920 Speaker 4: was right. Heaven is going to be filled with people 361 00:23:57,020 --> 00:24:00,399 Speaker 4: just like him. Can't contain themselves and can't help but 362 00:24:00,460 --> 00:24:04,879 Speaker 4: proclaim Jesus from the rooftops. Nobody likes the idea of 363 00:24:04,920 --> 00:24:07,850 Speaker 4: looking ridiculous by putting ourselves out there only to fall 364 00:24:07,910 --> 00:24:10,369 Speaker 4: flat on our faces. But we don't have to worry 365 00:24:10,430 --> 00:24:14,050 Speaker 4: about that happening in our search for God. Hebrews 11.6 reads, 366 00:24:14,450 --> 00:24:17,220 Speaker 4: And without faith it is impossible to please God. because 367 00:24:17,300 --> 00:24:19,760 Speaker 4: anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 368 00:24:20,119 --> 00:24:23,090 Speaker 4: and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Our 369 00:24:23,150 --> 00:24:26,570 Speaker 4: boldness for God will never put us to shame. God 370 00:24:26,630 --> 00:24:30,170 Speaker 4: rewards our faithful seeking by not hiding himself, but revealing 371 00:24:30,230 --> 00:24:33,070 Speaker 4: himself to us. And one of the greatest prizes granted 372 00:24:33,109 --> 00:24:35,389 Speaker 4: to us when that happens is getting to witness the. 373 00:24:35,369 --> 00:24:35,990 Speaker 3: Work of God. 374 00:24:36,690 --> 00:24:39,030 Speaker 4: Being bold before the Lord gives us a front row 375 00:24:39,070 --> 00:24:42,310 Speaker 4: seat to seeing him at work. Bartimaeus and his friend 376 00:24:42,350 --> 00:24:45,010 Speaker 4: didn't simply have their sight restored, They got to play 377 00:24:45,050 --> 00:24:48,010 Speaker 4: a part in one of Jesus' final miracles that affirmed 378 00:24:48,350 --> 00:24:50,190 Speaker 4: all of his claims to be the Son of God. 379 00:24:50,890 --> 00:24:54,810 Speaker 4: Where can we find such boldness? The boldness of Bartimaeus. Well, 380 00:24:54,850 --> 00:24:57,790 Speaker 4: it definitely won't come from within ourselves. If our boldness 381 00:24:57,830 --> 00:25:00,449 Speaker 4: comes from within, it rises and falls along with us. 382 00:25:01,010 --> 00:25:04,409 Speaker 4: Lasting boldness is birthed from faith and the Holy Spirit. 383 00:25:05,020 --> 00:25:08,100 Speaker 4: Knowing and being grounded in who Jesus is and being 384 00:25:08,180 --> 00:25:12,280 Speaker 4: sustained by the power of God's Spirit. Bartimaeus wasn't bold 385 00:25:12,320 --> 00:25:16,270 Speaker 4: for a stranger. because he knew who Jesus truly was. 386 00:25:16,770 --> 00:25:19,360 Speaker 4: And he knew what was to gain if he could 387 00:25:19,400 --> 00:25:21,800 Speaker 4: push through the doubt, he could push through the cynicism, 388 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:23,140 Speaker 4: and fall at his feet.