Ep. 35 - The One With Blind Bart and Jesus [Mark 10:46-52]

From The Leader Lounge · 19:40

Show by Chris Storms and Emily Storms

Send us Fan MailA blind beggar, a crowd telling him to be quiet, and a Savior who stops and asks, "What do you want me to do for you?"What happens when the crowd tells you to be quiet, but Jesus tells them to bring you to Him? Chris and Emily Storms read the story of blind Bartimaeus in all three Gospels that include it: Matthew 20, Luke 18, and Mark 10. They compare the accounts, including two blind men in Matthew versus one in Mark and Luke, entering Jericho versus leaving it, and why Bartimaeus being named might add to the story's credibility. They also connect this healing to Zacchaeus, the man at the pool of Bethesda, James and John's request, and the blind man in John 9. Along the way they show how one story can work as a person of Christ talk, a need talk, or an appropriation talk."Jesus goes against the crowd as He so often does and meets the man. And actually tells the people who were telling him to be quiet to go bring him there."SCRIPTURE REFERENCEDMatthew 20:29-34Luke 18:35-43Mark 10:46-52Mark 10:35-45 (James and John ask to sit at Jesus' right and left)Luke 19:1-10 (Zacchaeus)Mark 11 (the triumphal entry)John 5 (the man by the pool)John 9 (Jesus heals a man born blind)WHAT TO LISTEN FORConnecting the stories: could Zacchaeus have heard about Bartimaeus before he climbed the tree?In Mark, this is one of the last stories before the triumphal entry and the road to the cross.Two blind men or one? Why different Gospel writers highlight different details.Why a named person like Bartimaeus can add credibility to a Gospel account."What do you want me to do for you?" The same question Jesus asks James and John, with very different answers.The crowd tries to answer for Jesus, and Jesus sends them to bring the man to Him.Jesus tearing down social barriers, from the woman at the well to the children, and why that matters to Gen Z."My rabbi": how Emily's translation makes Bartimaeus' words personal.Jesus says "go your way," but Bartimaeus chooses to follow Him down the road.Why Matthew, a shunned tax collector, might be the one to note that Jesus touched their eyes.Spiritual blindness, and how John 9 sparked a good conversation at Campaigners.FOR YOUTH LEADERSUse this story in a person of Christ talk to show a Jesus who stops for the people everyone else ignores.Try it as a need talk or appropriation talk by asking kids Jesus' own question: "What do you want me to do for you?"Point out that Bartimaeus didn't earn anything. He cried out for mercy, and Jesus said, "Your faith has made you well." That is a clear picture of salvation by faith, not works.Pair it with John 9 at Campaigners to talk about spiritual blindness and seeing Jesus clearly.NEXT WEEK ON THE LOUNGEJesus heals another blind man.Giving a Club Talk? Download our Club Talk Prep Guide and listen to Episode 32 - The One About Young Life Club Talks!Note: We provide links to specific resources; this is not an endorsement of the entire website, author, organization, etc. Their views may not represent our's.Contact Us: [email protected]'s InstagramChris' InstagramChris' Substack - Love, Life, and Lampoonery

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