"And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the most a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me . And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole . And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way."

Mark 10:46-52

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Jericho was a place of battle - First battle of children of Israel 

Jericho was a place of stronghold

Jericho was a place of curse

Jericho was a place of immorality

Jesus went in and came out... There was nothing of significant done by Jesus recorded in Jericho

Bartimaeus was sitting on the highway side. 

He was a blind beggar. He had two obvious problem.

Blind: No light. No direction. Darkness. Confusion. Frustration. No VISION 

He was born with a problem...this was not by accident or coincidence

The one problem brought another problem

Beggar: Depending on others. On someone's hand. A low class.

He was in the place of battle, stronghold & curse. He wanted to get out of his circumstances.

He didn't have an identity. He was known as the "son of Timaeus"

They knew him because of his dual problem

They labeled him

He heard of Jesus. Rom. 10:17 "Faith comes by hearing, hearing the Word of God."

He cried out. Faith demands the spoken words. It demands declaration & confession.

Faith: Believe with your heart & speak out of your mouth

He cried out for mercy to the Son of David (Messiah, Son of God)

Mercy: Don't give me what I deserve, give me what I need. Give me what I don't deserve.

They charged him to be quiet...he called out even more 

YOUR VOICE OF FAITH MUST BE STRONGER & LOUDER THAN THE VOICES OF OPPOSITION & PEOPLE'S OPINION.

YOUR VOICE OF FAITH MUST BE STRONGER THAN THE VOICE OF CRITICISM.

I won't let you go until I get your attention and get what I need

And Jesus stood still...

Your voice of faith attracts the attention of Jesus.

Your life goes & grows to the level of your faith in God!

Jesus commanded him to be called...

GOD will cause the very people who are criticizing, your opposition, those who put you down, to pick you up to "ARISE" - To take you to the next level...

He casts off his garment - his old identity 

He believed that if Jesus is calling me, then my life, my identity and my circumstances will change.

No more in the dark, blind, no direction, confusion, beggar...

Cast off by faith your old identity 

Cast off what people are saying about you

FAITH REQUESTS ACTIONS

"You may have done what people said you have done but you are not who people say you are!

YOU ARE WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE."

He knew what he wanted... He was focus. 

He had a desire and nothing would distract him from his destiny. 

He was physically blind but spirituality he had a vision... 

Prov. 29:18 "People perish without vision (revelation)"

FAITH is focus...persevere...tenacity

FAITH has a vision

FAITH COMMANDS VICTORY

FAITH IS NOW...Now Faith!!! Heb. 11:1

Today is the day of salvation.

MY FAITH MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE 

Jesus said: Your faith has made you whole (complete)

He followed Jesus in the way.

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