The Seeker and the Follower

Mark 10:17-2517 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?“ 18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good — except God alone.

19 You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honour your father and mother.'" 20 "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 22 At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"

Mark 10:46-52 46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and 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.

47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!“ 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

49 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

51 "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." 52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

The rich man - health and wealth

Bartimaeus

Poverty and blindness

• The Inquiry vs the Plea

• Turning away vs Following

Lessons we can draw from the encounter of the 2 men with Jesus

• Only by Grace do we stand before God

Rom 3:22-23 There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Isa 64:66 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

• Only by Grace do we stand before God• God listens to those who call to

Him in humility

Isa 42:2-3 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. 3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.

• Only by Grace do we stand before God• God listens to those who call to

Him in humility• Spending time with God does not

guarantee salvation

Heb 6:4-6 4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age,

6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

• Only by Grace do we stand before God• God listens to those who call to

Him in humility• Spending time with God does not

guarantee salvation• Exercising faith in the living God

What a man thinks of God is the most important thing about him and will determine the whole course of his life. . .. Tozer

Critical application. • Is there something that I still

lack and if so, what is it? Is this something that God wants me to give up?

Critical application. •Am I prepared to surrender

fully to the Lordship of Christ and to follow Him?

Psalm 231 The LORD is my shepherd, that is relationshipI shall not be in want. that is supply2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, that is resthe leads me beside quiet waters, that is refreshment

3 he restores my soul. that is healingHe guides me in the paths of righteousness that is guidance for his name’s sake. that is purpose

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, that is testingI will fear no evil, that is protectionfor you are with me; that is faithfulnessyour rod and your staff, they comfort me. that is discipline

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. that is hope You anoint my head with oil; that is consecration my cup overflows. that is abundance

6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, that is blessingand I will dwell in the house of the LORD that is security forever. that is eternity

Critical application. •God is Master and He leads; I am His servant and I will

follow.