Co-Host: Let's talk with Alvin from Dallas, Texas. Hello Alvin. You're on the air.
Caller: Ok. All right.
Pastor Doug: Hi - thanks for your patience - and your question?
Caller: My question is coming from Mark 10, and I was wondering, how did Jesus had stood up and commanded this man to see?
Pastor Doug: All right Mark chapter 10, what verse are you looking at?
Caller: Ok I'm looking at Mark chapter 10, verse 49.
Pastor Doug: Mark 10 verse 49, ok.
Caller: It says where Jesus stood and He...
Pastor Doug: ...and He commanded him to be called, and they called the blind man named Bartimaeus saying, 'be of good cheer.'
Caller: Yes.
Pastor Doug: Yes. It's interesting you should ask this because I just preached on this last week! ?
Caller: Oh really?
Pastor Doug: Yes - Blind Bartimaeus - one of my favorite sermons.
Caller: Ok ?
Pastor Doug: Jesus was passing out of Jericho and this blind man heard from the sounds of the crowd that it was the Great Teacher from Galilee, and he called out, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' And the crowd said, 'Shhh - be quiet. You're messing up the parade.'
Caller: Ok.
Pastor Doug: And he called even louder, 'Son of David, have mercy on me', and Jesus stopped the procession and He asked those around Him, 'Bring the blind man to me.' And I'm sure people led him to Christ, just like you and I must lead people to Christ.
Caller: Right - ok.
Pastor Doug: The blind man came, and even though Jesus knew what he wanted he said, 'What will you that I should do for you?' In other words, you must ask me. God knows what we need before we pray doesn't He?
Co-Host: Right.
Caller: Yes.
Pastor Doug: But He wants us to pray.
Caller: Oh ok.
Pastor Doug: And he [the blind man] said, 'that I might receive my sight.' And Jesus said, 'Go your way. Your faith has made you whole' - and he was a new man.
Caller: Ohhh.
Pastor Doug: So that's a wonderful story. I like the part where it says He cast aside his garment and clung to Jesus. You know when we come to Jesus friends, we need to cast aside our self-righteous rags that are filthy, and we come like that man - poor, wretched, miserable, blind and naked - we come to Jesus. Just like blind Bartimaeus.
You know, Jesus didn't give him a better garment. In other words, He didn't give him better rags. He said I'm going to give you your sight so you can work now.
Co-Host: Amen!
Pastor Doug: And he sets us free.
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