Notes on the International Lesson.
By C. P. B.
IN studying this lesson, the student should compare the account of this miracle given by Mark with that given in Matt. 20:29-34 and Luke 18:35-43. Those who do so will observe an apparent discrepancy between Matthew's account and that of Mark and Luke. Matthew says that there were two beggars, while Mark and Luke mention but one, namely, Bartimeus. This is probably owing, it has been suggested, to the fact that he was the more conspicuous of the two on account of his persistency, and it appears also that he was the spokesman both for himself and for his companion. Mark makes a similiar omission (Mark 5) in his account of the casting out of the devils at Gadara; he speaks of only one demoniac, while Matthew mentions two. WHAT may appear to some to be another difficulty is the fact that while Matthew and Mark agree that this miracle occurred as Jesus was coming out of Jericho, it would appear from Luke's account that it took place as Jesus was entering the city. Commenting upon this, Dr. Pentecost says: "The discrepancy is not of serious moment. . . . It is not material whether the blind man was healed as Jesus went in or as he came out of the city; the important fact is that he was healed." It has also been suggested that Bartimeus first sought to attract the Saviour's attention as he was entering Jericho, and that failing to secure a hearing he went to the opposite gate of the city, and there waited till the Saviour came out, when he renewed his supplication and was healed. Matthew and Mark record only that which took place after he left the city, while Luke notices the prayer of the blind man as Jesus was entering Jericho, passes over the interval in silence, and records the healing as he was leaving the city. This would comport well with what we know of the energetic character of this poor blind man. BUT the important point in the narrative is the lesson which it contains of earnest, persistent prayer. If, as seems probable, Bartimeus failed to attract our Lord's attention as he was entering Jericho, and so sought another opportunity, his case certainly affords a striking example of importunity. He was not only blind, but he was poor and friendless; he believed, however, that Jesus could restore his sight, and he was determined that nothing should keep him from laying his case before the great Physician. To him, it was the all-important thing. Some of the multitude followed Christ hoping that he would establish a kingdom, and that they might derive some pecuniary benefit from it; others followed him from curiosity; but this poor blind man thought only of recovering his sight, and he would not be turned from his purpose. The more he was rebuked for his outcries, the more he sought to attract the attention of the Saviour. He felt that if he let that opportunity pass, he probably never would have another, and he cried mightily, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me;" nor did he cry in vain; for "Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way." "SEEK and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you," is the divine injunction and the divine promise. Our Lord is well pleased with importunity. He wants to bestow his blessings, but he will not give them to those who would have no sense of their value. Only those who know the value of spiritual things will value the blessings which Heaven has to bestow. What would the man who does not feel his guilt care for pardon? or the man who does not feel that he is sick care for healing? God does not want us to humble ourselves before him to taunt us with our condition, but that we may realize our need of the blessings which we seek. He would have us feel that we are soul-sick before he heals us; that we are morally polluted before he cleanses us; that we are spiritually blind before he gives us sight; and that we are sinners before he pardons us.