The Prayer That Stopped Jesus

The Prayer That Stopped Jesus!

Do you have an overwhelming need of some kind in your life today?

I suppose everyone has some kind of obstacle -- some type of disadvantage -- some type of hindrance -- that stands in their way. Do you believe God can make a difference in your situation?

You do believe in prayer -- don’t you?

I truly feel sorry for those who have no real faith in a God Who hears & answers prayer.

Someone has proposed a Dail-a-Prayer line for atheist.

You dial the number; -- it just rings & rings. -- No one answers!

Well, thank God -- when we pray, He does answer & He hears us!

But sometimes you may wish you could have His complete attention!

Do you ever wish you could just say: -- “Jesus, stop! Listen to me. -- I have a real need in my life -- & You must help me”?

Then you will probably identify with a blind man, named Bartimaeus, about whom we read in Mark, chapter 10 -- beginning with verse 46. The interesting thing about this passage is that it contains a prayer that literally stopped Jesus in His tracks! Mark 10:49 says: -- “Jesus stopped.” This has been called: -- “The Prayer that Stopped Jesus.”

But before we go there -- let’s read the entire passage -- Mark 10:46f.

Then they came to Jericho.

As Jesus & His disciples, together with a large crowd,

were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus),

was sitting by the roadside begging.

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout,

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Many rebuked him & told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more,

“Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Verse 49 -- Jesus stopped & said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”

Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet & came to Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, (Lord) I want to see.”

“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.”

Immediately he received his sight & followed Jesus along the road.

This story is perfect in its simplicity -- & in its transparent truth.

In our day many blind persons can often carry on quite normal & well-integrated lives.

There are schools for the blind; -- they learn to read Braille through their sense of touch; -- they have access to educational opportunities.

However -- during the time of Jesus there were no doors open to the blind!

They were forced to throw themselves upon the mercy of society -- & there was very little mercy to be found. They reluctantly accepted & endured a life given over to begging.

In this story, we are presented with a man who was absolutely blind.

Bartimaeus could not see anything! He was physically blind & financially strapped.

But he did not allow his limitations to conquer his ambition!

And he prayed a prayer that stopped Jesus in His very tracts -- & Bartimaeus got what he wanted! -- His great need was met!

Many of us here this morning can identify with Bartimaeus.

We can identify with Bartimaeus -- for in fact, we too have some handicaps; -- we too have some problems; -- we too have some difficulties. -- We all suffer from various limitations in our lives.

Our limitations may be similar to Bartimaeus’ limitations -- physical or financial. -- Our limitations could be emotional -- or even spiritual.

It has been said that there is no one so blind as he who will not see.

I suppose that is true -- for there are many people walking around in the world today who’s eyes work just fine -- yet they cannot seem to see that the way they are living their lives will eventually lead them into eternal damnation. Blind Bartimaeus could see nothing with the physical eyes with which he had been born -- yet he could see things on a spiritual level to which others were totally blind. This man was blind physically -- but he had 20/20 spiritual vision.

You may have 20/20 physical vision -- but spiritually you may be blind!

And through Bartimaeus was blind -- he teaches us some very important lessons on how to get the attention of God through prayer.

One day -- Bartimaeus, as he sat there by the roadside -- heard some commotion -- & upon asking what was happening -- “he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth” passing by.

Could Bartimaeus attract the attention of this One called “the Christ” -- or would Jesus just keep on going without stopping?

This was a moment of crisis for blind Bartimaeus -- & perhaps for the first time in his life he prayed!

What follows is truly dramatic -- for with vivid language Mark writes: -- “Jesus stopped.” -- The KJV says, “Jesus stood still.” What a beautiful, hope-filled statement!

What kind of prayer was it that stopped Jesus Christ in His tracks?

Let’s take a careful look at this prayer of Bartimaeus -- for it was the prayer that stopped Jesus in His tracts.

1. It was a Prayer of Desperation!

In verse 47 -- we are told that “when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’”

He raised his voice & shouted out -- because his was a prayer of desperation.

Up to this time Bartimaeus had been just a quiet beggar.

His education would have been very limited; -- what reason would there be for teaching a blind man? He had little to say to his community -- for who would listen?

Bartimaeus was in a state of desperation!

Strange as it may seem -- Webster’s dictionary in one place defines “desperation” -- as a state of being blind. In desperation -- Bartimaeus broke the pressure barrier of his handicap & projected his voice loud & clear!

One of the reasons we cannot overcome our handicaps is because we get so focused on our deficiencies -- that we ignore our assets. We read that “when he heard that it was Jesus...”

He could not see -- but he could hear!

Most of us would spend our time complaining about being blind -- & ignore the fact that we could hear. So many people want to have a pity party -- & moan & groan about what they don’t have -- & they fail to thank God for what they do have.

Not only could Bartimaeus hear -- but he could also speak!

After finding out what was going on -- the Bible says, “he began to shout” -- he cried out!

“I can’t see You -- but I know You are there. -- Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Whatever it is that is messed up in your life -- rather than focus all your attention upon it -- look around -- & begin to recognize God’s other gifts in your life.

Are you willing to cry out to God Almighty today?

I’m just a poor beggar, but Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.

I know I’m not worthy to stand before You -- but Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.

I know I haven’t always done Your Will -- but Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.

I know I don’t love everybody like I’m suppose to -- but Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. I know I don’t always treat my neighbor right -- but Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.

Remember now -- Bartimaeus was blind -- but he could hear -- & he could speak!

So the only thing he could do to get Jesus’ attention was to keep saying -- “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” He couldn’t see Jesus -- but he knew Jesus could see him!

If he cried out -- Jesus could not only see him -- but Jesus could hear him.

The crowd told him to shut up! -- Verse 48, “Many rebuked him & told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more.”

If you want to get something from God today -- you have got to learn how to overcome people.

You’ve got to learn how to turn a deaf ear; -- how to put on blinders when it comes to public opinion. If you don’t overcome people -- you will never get to your destination.

You can’t get stuck at the bar of public opinion.

If Bartimaeus had listened to public opinion -- he’d still be blind.

We’ve got to learn how to conquer Public Opinion!

Bartimaeus cried out in desperation -- “Son of David...”

It is interesting that the “Son of Timaeus” cried out to the “Son of David.”

He heard the crowd say it was “Jesus of Nazareth” -- but he cried out to “Jesus, Son of David.”

He did not have physical sight -- but he sure had spiritual insight!

The expression “Son of David” -- is used in the Jewish community as a reference to the Messiah -- the Christ -- the Son of God!

The interesting thing about this story is that the blind man could see Jesus better than anybody else. He sees Him as the compassionate Son of God; -- as the Messiah Who responds to the needs of His people.

The Pharisees could see Jesus with the eyes in their heads -- but they couldn’t see Jesus with the eyes of their hearts. They couldn’t see Jesus as the Son of David -- the Messiah.

The crowd saw Jesus as an amazing miracle worker -- but they didn’t see Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

I need to ask you today my friends: -- How do you see Jesus?

Do you see Him as a remote character from the dusty pages of history?

Do you see Him as a good teacher & nothing more?

Do you see Him as a distant figure ready to pass you by on the road of life?

Or do you see Him as the kind & compassionate Savior that He is?

Do you see Him as the living Lord of heaven & earth?

Do you see Him as a Savior to be followed? -- a Savior to be worshipped? -- a Savior to be glorified?

Do you see Jesus for who He truly is?

Bartimaeus cried out in desperation as he prayed a prayer of faith!

W. T. Purkiser -- a Biblical scholar for whom I have great admiration -- once said: -- “There is something about the prayer of desperation which gets results -- that the prayer of desire does not always bring.” I wonder how many of our prayers are truly prayers of desperation?

2. It was also a Prayer of Determination!

Not only did Bartimaeus pray in desperation -- his was also a prayer of determination.

There were those in the crowd who were shocked by the loud out-cries of the blind beggar. -- They felt that such praying was disrespectful. They believed in dignity. -- They were more concerned with being dignified than with being helpful.

They were embarrassed by his very presence -- but Bartimaeus didn’t give up! -- In vr. 48 we read that he “cried the more a great deal” (KJV). He was determined not to lose his opportunity -- his chance.

When I was a child I often heard that children were to be seen -- but not heard. -- Were you ever told that? -- Times sure have changed! Now we are told that praying people ought not to be seen -- or heard! -- It is no longer politically correct!

Skeptics & secularists seek today to silence your prayer & mine.

They feel -- if you have to pray, at least keep quiet about it.

Keep it out of the public sphere. -- Religion is a private matter, they say.

Secular Humanists can be very public about their beliefs & disbeliefs -- but praying people should be ashamed to show their faces.

But blind Bartimaeus did not let the crowd quiet him; -- he showed determination in his praying!

Bartimaeus is like : -- “I don’t care what these people say or think! -- This may be the only chance I ever get to talk to Jesus Christ! -- He may never pass this way again!” -- And he cried out all the more!

Determination was -- & is -- rewarding! Jesus -- upon hearing Bartimaeus’ prayer -- “stopped” -- “stood still”. Jesus then called for Bartimaeus to come to Him.

The same crowd that tried to stop Bartimaeus is now told to start the blind man on his way. -- Jesus stopped & said, “Call him.”

What a thrill it must have been to hear the summons of Jesus! No one had ever wanted him before!

If Bartimaeus had given up after just one cry for mercy -- the Master might have passed him by.

But now -- because of his undying determination -- he finds himself standing before an interested & stopped Christ.

“Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet & came to Jesus” (vr. 50).

Why did the beggar throw away something which -- to him at least -- was an article of value?

Probably he never saw that garment again; -- other beggars claimed it.

Bartimaeus recognized that in this particular matter -- his cloak could become a hindrance; -- it might trip him as he hurried toward Jesus!

Maybe you need to “cast off your garment” today!

When you take off your outer garment -- the real you is exposed.

When you take off your garment -- everybody sees everything about you. -- But when you quit hiding inside your garment of cover -- Jesus cannot really bring healing to your life -- & meet your need. Bartimaeus did not want anything to hinder him; -- he was determined.

Little Frederick was saying his prayers one night. His mother tiptoed up close & listened to him pray.

She overheard him say: -- “And please make Tommy stop throwing things at me. -- You may remember, I’ve mentioned this before. -- Jesus, he’s still doing it.” -- Frederick’s prayer showed determination. Do you pray with both desperation & determination?

3. Finally, this prayer of Bartimaeus, it was a Prayer of Dedication!

When Jesus asked Bartimaeus -- “What do you want me to do for you?” -- the blind man said, “Lord, (as the KJV says it) -- I want to see.” He did not ask in vague generalities!

On any other day -- if a stranger had asked Bartimaeus that same question -- his answer might have been trivial! He might have said he needed bread & money.

He might have asked for a hand to help him across the street.

And if he had been given these things -- he would have been perfectly content.

But today it was different! -- Bartimaeus wanted more than a hand out; -- he wanted a miracle!

He could have said -- “Give me a white cain -- or a seeing eye dog would be nice.” -- But he knew that the Lord had the ability to grant whatever his request -- & he knew exactly what he wanted.

Without hesitation -- Bartimaeus said: -- “I want to be able to see!”

He asked & he received! -- And having been granted a new lease on life -- we are told he “followed Jesus.”

Through his encounter with Jesus Christ that day -- Bartimaeus was not only healed of his physical blindness -- but he received a spiritual transformation as well!

Jesus said to him -- “Go thy way” (KJV) -- but Bartimaeus followed Jesus instead -- along the road -- all the way to Jerusalem!

Following Jesus is more than something we do; -- it is an attitude of the heart.

True discipleship begins when we stop our maneuvering -- & we begin to surrender!

Following Jesus means that we stop living in our own power -- & we begin trusting in God’s power!

There was an article in Newsweek in October 2005 -- about author Anne Rice. -- Her fans call her The Queen of the Occult -- because of all the books she wrote about vampires & witches & ghost & devils. But God started working in her life. -- About six years ago now she heard the testimony of a Christian art professor.

It spoke to her heart -- & her eyes were opened to the reality of Jesus Christ -- & she accepted Him as her Savior.

Later -- she stunned her fans by declaring: -- “From now on I will only write for the Lord! -- I will write only for Jesus Christ!” In 2005 she came out with a new book called Christ the Lord.

Once she saw the truth of Who Jesus is -- Anne Rice started to use her gifts as a writer for the Lord Jesus. She began to follow Christ down the path of kingdom service -- just like Bartimaeus did so long ago.

If you have not already done so -- it is time for you to do the same!

It is time to get up off the side of the road; -- it’s time for you to come to Christ for mercy & forgiveness.

Conclusion: -- Bartimaeus’ dilemma is our dilemma.

The ironic twist of this story is that the people who ought to be able to see -- cannot; -- & those who shouldn’t be able to see -- can.

Bartimaeus had a great need -- & he knew it!

He had a great opportunity -- & he seized it!

He had a great prayer -- & he prayed it!

He had great faith -- & he exercised it!

He had a great testimony -- & he gave it!

More than anything else -- people need to see & know that God cares.

They need to know that He is active & involved in their situation.

They need to know that they are not forgotten.

They need to know that they are truly loved!

They need to know that no matter who they are -- & no matter what they have done -- God is just a prayer away at all times!

Like the blind man -- some of you are sitting on the side of the road of life. -- You’re sitting in the dust of failure -- in the dust of insecurity -- in the dust of infidelity -- in the dust of anxiety.

And you need to be reminded that our God is the Giver of mercy.

In verse 49 -- even though Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem -- He stopped dead in His tracts when He heard the cry of Bartimaeus.

My friends -- even though it is approximately (time) in the morning -- even though there is a whole universe to govern -- God is willing to stop what He is doing -- to respond to your heartfelt cry right now. Do you need Jesus to stop & address a special need in your life?

Do you need His mercy right now?

Jesus will stop for those who call on Him in faith believing!

Although blinded by an illness at the age of six weeks -- & remaining that why for the rest of her life -- Fanny Crosby composed over 9,000 hymns during her life time.

It was while she was at a prison service in Manhattan -- that she heard a prisoner call out in a pitiful voice: -- “Good Lord! Don’t pass by me!”

That evening she wrote the words of one of her best known hymns: --

“Pass me not O gentle Savior, -- Hear my humble cry.

While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.”

Pastor Lyle Pettit -- Wynne Chapel -- Cochise, AZ