Join us this Sunday! In-Person 9:00am & 10:45am, Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

Join us this Sunday! In-Person 9:00am & 10:45am, Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

Join us at the next Sunday worship service:
In-Person
9:00am & 10:45am,
Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

Time For A Change

“Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” – Mark 10:46-47. 

Is it time for a change or changes? We all need to make some changes. Maybe it is a change in attitude. Maybe we need to change how we do business, or how we handle our temper or maybe how we handle relationships. Real change is not easy to achieve, especially without God.  

In the latter part of Mark 10, we meet a man named Bartimaeus. He was a blind man who sat on the side of the road in Jericho, hoping for people passing by to be charitable. He had no way of changing his lot in life by himself.  God was the only one who could make change happen. And when  Jesus came to Bartimaeus’ town, he wasn’t going to miss his only chance for change. It is now or never. It is Jesus or no one. What is he going to do? He shouts. The blind man literally starts yelling. He knows that he has a need. He has heard about Jesus and the wonders that He performs. So, he starts yelling. He screams for mercy. Basically, he wants to take advantage of the situation in any way he can. If we want to change, we can learn from Bartimaeus. 

Bartimaeus wanted to see. Bartimaeus lived in the dark. He had never seen the sunrise, or trees, or stars. He had never seen the faces of his own loved ones. No wonder when Jesus asked him what he wanted he replied, “My Rabbi…“I want to see!” (Mark 10:51).

All of us have reached a point where we want to change but we are not sure how to change. Whether we need help with relationships, finances or life decisions, there will always be challenges that we should not face alone. We need help. Despite others telling him to be quiet, Bartimaeus continued to beg Jesus for healing until He did it. Jesus changed Bartimaeus’s life by restoring his sight. After he was healed, Bartimaeus immediately followed Jesus.  Jesus can change us as well. With even the smallest amount of faith, God can make incredible changes which can lead to accomplishing extraordinary things.  

Have you come to that point where Jesus is your only hope of making the changes you want to make? Have you come to the place where you are tired of groping around for direction and happiness in life? Do you desire a change in your life? Let God mentor you and have the desire and faith to make those changes a reality.  

Discussion Questions:

  1. Jesus asks Bartimaeus…”what do you want me to do for you?” Wow! What a question! What if Jesus asked you this today? How would you answer it?
  2. Jesus invites Bartimaeus to “go his way” but after this transformational encounter with Jesus, his way becomes Jesus’ way. How has “going your way” transformed into going Jesus’ way?

<PREVIOUS

NEXT >