Mark 10:46-52 “What Is Truly Needed”

Mark 10:46-52 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Refiner – Maverick City Music
• Take My Life – Chris Tomlin
• Cody Carnes – Run To The Father
• WELOVE – After The Dark Days (Korean Praise with ENG SUB)

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Kids Animated Bible – Blind Bartimaeus – Mark 10:46-52
• “That’s My King” Motions Video (Bridge Worship) – Song for Kids
• Raise A Hallelujah by Bethel Music performed by Grace Chapel Kids – Song for Kids
• I Have Decided | Cave Quest VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

They finally arrive at Jericho, which is not far from Jerusalem (v. 46). The distance between Jericho and Jerusalem is about 15 miles (24 kilometers). The road from Jericho to Jerusalem is a steep uphill path. After spending some time in Jericho and preparing to leave, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus follows Jesus and his group, crying out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (v. 47). The title “Son of David” was a designation for Messiah. This indicates that the man had heard about Jesus and regarded him as the Messiah. The phrase “began to shout” implies that he kept crying out repeatedly.

Although the people rebuke him to keep him from causing a disturbance, he cries out even louder (v. 48). Jesus then stops, calls for the man to be brought to him (v. 49), and asks, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (v. 50). The man responds, “Teacher, I want to see again.” The fact that he says “again” suggests that his blindness was acquired rather than congenital. Jesus then says, “Go; your faith has healed you” (v. 52). Here, “healed” refers to his restoration from blindness. Immediately, the man regains his sight and follows Jesus on the way.

Meditation:

When Jesus asked the man, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (v. 51), his response—”Teacher, I want to see again”—brings to mind Jesus’ earlier words to James and John: “You do not know what you are asking” (v. 38). As a beggar, Bartimaeus could have asked for many things, but he knew that the most essential thing for him was to regain his sight. In a way, James and John claimed to see, yet their hearts were blind, while Bartimaeus, though physically blind, had the eyes of his heart open. Jesus healed him, and in response, Bartimaeus became his disciple.

Mark, in recording Jesus’ “travel narrative” (from Galilee to Jerusalem), structures it using two healing stories. Later scholars have called this literary technique “inclusio”—a method of framing a narrative by starting and ending with similar events. This was a common literary device among Jewish writers. Mark first introduces the healing of a blind man at the conclusion of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee (Mark 8:22-26). Then, at the end of Jesus’ journey, he again presents a healing story of a blind man. The healing in Bethsaida occurs in two stages, whereas in Jericho, the healing is instant, and the healed man immediately becomes a disciple of Jesus.

Mark structures the travel narrative with these two healings because the disciples were spiritually blind. Like the blind man from Bethsaida, they were only seeing things dimly. The story of the blind man in Jericho, who is instantly healed and follows Jesus, serves as foreshadowing. Although the disciples are currently spiritually blind, they will eventually see clearly and walk the path of the cross that Jesus walks.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, you have opened the eyes of our hearts so that we may know who the Lord is and see the kingdom of God. We thank you for restoring our spiritual sight, even to this extent. Yet, like the man in Bethsaida, our vision remains unclear—we see people as if they were trees. Perhaps this is because we do not yet fully understand what we should be asking of you. Oh Lord, help us to know what we truly need to ask for and restore our spiritual sight completely. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Even though Bartimaeus was physically blind, he had a clear spiritual vision—he knew that Jesus was the Messiah and had faith that Jesus could heal him. Meanwhile, though they could see with their eyes, the disciples were still spiritually blind, struggling to understand who Jesus truly was. Like Bartimaeus, we should seek not just physical or worldly things but what we truly need—a heart that sees Jesus clearly and follows Him.

• For Preschool-Lower Elementary
  • If Jesus asked you, “What do you want me to do for you?” What would you say? Why?
  • Why do you think Bartimaeus followed Jesus after he was healed? What does it mean to follow Jesus today?
• For Upper Elementary-Middle School
  • Bartimaeus asked for his sight back instead of money or other things. What does this tell us about knowing what is truly important? How can we figure out what we really need in life?
  • Sometimes, we pray for things we may not truly need. How can we pray in a way that helps us see more clearly what God wants for us?
• For High School
  • The disciples thought they could see clearly but were spiritually blind. Have you ever thought you understood something, only to realize later that you didn’t? How did that change you?
  • What are some things in your life that might be keeping you from seeing Jesus clearly? How can you overcome them?