Every Male Jew Must Attend Passover
November 10, 2021
Commentary
On this final trip from Galilee to Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples were passing through Jericho which is in the Jordan Valley about 15 miles from Jerusalem (v. 46). Jericho was a popular resort city in the Judean wilderness, not far from the Jordan River crossing from Perea. It was the law that every male Jew over twelve years of age who lived within 15 miles of Jerusalem must attend the Passover. However it was clearly impossible that such a law should be fulfilled and that everyone was able to go.
Those who were unable to go were in the habit of lining the streets of towns and villages through which groups of Passover pilgrims must pass to bid them godspeed on their way. As they were going out of town, a blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus who was sitting by the side of the road yelled out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (v. 47). Some of the people standing near him tried to get him to be quiet, but he only cried out that much louder. Because of his determination and persistence the procession stopped and he was brought face to face with Jesus (vv. 48-50).
It is that desperate desire that gets things done. He knew exactly what he wanted and that was to escape his world of darkness. When Jesus asked what he could do for him the man made his request brief and to the point: “Lord, that I might receive my sight” (v. 51) and immediately the Lord granted his request (v. 52). He knew precisely what he wanted—his sight. Too often our admiration for Jesus is a vague attraction. When we go to the doctor we want him to deal with some definite situation. When we go to the dentist we do not ask him to extract any tooth, but the one that is diseased. It should be so with us and Jesus.
This involves the one thing that so few people wish to face; self-examination. When we go to Jesus, if we are as desperately definite as Bartimaeus, things will happen also. We are told that having received his sight he followed Jesus. He did not selfishly go his way after his need was met.
Application
If Jesus asked me, What do you want me to do for you? What would I say? Are there things in my life I need Him to change?
Mark 10:46– 52 (NET)
46 They came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many scolded him to get 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 the blind man and said to him, “Have courage! Get up! He is calling you.” 50 He threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied, “Rabbi, let me see again.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has healed you.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the road.