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Theme: 'The God in believe in ...'
Text: Isaiah 42:1-7 and Mark 10:45-52
Topic: ‘Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord’
To confess God as ‘maker of heaven and earth’ means you part company with Hinduism and Eastern faiths. Now, to call Jesus, ’Christ’ and God’s ‘only Son’, means you part company with Judaism and Islam.
Why?
Because, whilst ‘Jesus’ was the personal name of Mary’s son, ’Christ’ was not a surname, rather, it was denoting status (meaning literally, ’the anointed one’) and identified Jesus as God’s appointed Saviour King. ’Only Son’, also was a loaded phrase, implying that Jesus is not only Mary’s child, but was essentially originated from God Himself in a unique sense.
How do you feel in regard to these incredible claims about Jesus? Is Jesus special to you? Do these identifying titles reflect what makes him special to you? Would you say that you believe in Jesus, rather than simply that you believe in God? Can you explain your answer?
(Read Isaiah 42:1-7)
This is the first of the prophet Isaiah’s ‘Servant songs’, where he speaks of the Messiah (or ‘Christ’), who would come as the saviour/servant from God.
What are the main qualities about the Messiah which are emphasised in these verses?
Would you say that the picture which emerges is different from what the Jews were hoping for, or thought they needed, and how?
One of the key prophecies associated with the coming of the Messiah, was that he would give vision.
In Isaiah, we see this in many places (Isaiah 29:18; 35:5; 42:7,16,18). Before we look at the miracle of Jesus bringing physical vision to Bartimaeus, in what ways do you think there can be an inner, spiritual need for vision in regard to God?
Are you able to describe what your perception of God was before Jesus gave you spiritual vision?
As we turn to the passage describing the healing of Bartimaeus’ blindness, how true would you say the following words describe you?
‘Bartimaeus (insert your name) an eternal picture of the person in need, who fights their way to Christ.’
Is that your story, or has it been Christ fighting to get through to you? Either way, has it been a struggle?
Bartimaeus was a person who was desperate to get in contact with Jesus, whatever other people thought of him, whatever the cost to his pride.
(Read Mark 10:45-48)
What are the issues that seem to stand in the way of Bartimaeus making contact with Jesus? Have you ever felt that way also in your personal life?
Is there anything that strikes you about the cry of Bartimaeus to Jesus, because why should it have had the effect of carrying over the crowd and stopping Jesus in his tracks? Note, that Bartimaeus uses the title, ’Son of David’, a Messianic title, to address Jesus, and that this is the only place in Mark’s gospel where it is used to address Jesus.
What were the risks involved for Bartimaeus and Jesus ?
(Read Mark 10:49-52)
What is there in the response of Jesus that is encouraging and affirming?
Why do you think Jesus calls on Bartimaeus to come to Him through that big crowd, even though that would have presented obvious difficulties to the man? Why do you think Jesus asks what seems to be a very obvious question? (v 51)
Have you ever thought seriously about what you would say in answer to that question yourself?
Jesus’ command to Bartimaeus, involved a command to act with faith in response to what Jesus had said. The healing followed as he was obedient to Jesus‘ command.
Bartimaeus’ response was immediate. What are we told that he did?
How does that illustrate precisely what is means to confess Jesus as Lord?
What do you think that cost Bartimaeus personally?
Where was Jesus heading down the road?
Are we prepared to follow Him, even when the journey may be costly as it was for Bartimaeus?
What have you learned about your need of Jesus?
What have you learned of your need of persistence?
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