30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 18 35-43 THE FAITH OF BARTIMAEUS 03 Faith was born
📖 Luke 18:35-43
02Nov2020 - *Faith was born* - _Luke 18:35-43_ - THE FAITH OF BARTIMAEUS 3 – Bible reading: _Isaiah 9:6-7_
There was a stir in the heart of Bartimaeus as he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. _Luke 18:36-38 And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. (37) So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. (38) And he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"_
Then, suddenly, as he heard the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the spark of faith was lit in his heart. He was no more the same man anymore. He began to cry out, _"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"_ Bartimaeus was a changed man.
_Romans 10:8-10 But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): (9) that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation._
Faith was born in the heart of Bartimaeus. Jesus was no more just a fascinating person, who was passing by, Jesus was the creator, the God of heaven and earth. Bartimaeus was ready to give himself completely to Jesus.
Let us take a closer look at the cry of Bartimaeus. _"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"_
This was no ordinary way of addressing Jesus. In that one statement was contained all of who Jesus was. He was the Messiah, the King, who was setting up His kingdom, the Lord of heaven and earth. The creator. All things consisted in Him. The Old Testament was full of the prophecy of the Messiah, who was to set up His kingdom rule on earth.
We read this verse in the very last chapter of the book of Revelation. _Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."_
When we see the prophecies in the Old Testament and the conclusion of it all in Revelation, we see the larger canvas of Jesus. As faith was born in Bartimaeus, he was able to see the big picture. This was an awesome moment for him to meet with the God of all the earth and he was not going to let this opportunity to pass him.
It is important to note here that though Bartimaeus was blind and he was a beggar he was familiar with the Old Testament prophesies of the Messiah. He knew that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah and he was not going to let the Christ pass by without encountering Him. This was how it was with all the Jews. If blind Bartimaeus knew who Jesus of Nazareth was then we can be sure that the entire Jewish population knew their Old Testament quite well.
_Isaiah 11:1-10 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. (2) The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. (3) His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;_
_(4) But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. (5) Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist. (6) "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them._
_(7) The cow and the bear shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox. (8) The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole, And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den. (9) They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea. (10) "And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious."_
Bartimaeus knew that Jesus was the rod from the stem of Jesse. The branch that shall grow out of his roots. The root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people.
_Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this._
Bartimaeus knew that Jesus was the one who will occupy the throne of David and His kingdom forever.
When Bartimaeus cried out, _"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"_ he had connected with God.
*Thought to ponder*
```This is how we experience our faith moments by repeatedly connecting with Jesus, the son of David.```