What did Bartimaeus answer Jesus that he wanted Him to do for him? See Mar 10:51, Luk 18:41. What does the fact that he wanted to regain his sight (Greek anablepo, lit. to see again.) indicate about his having been able to see at one time? How is that like those who once walked in the light of the truth, but then went astray and fell into darkness? Although such are blind and we have no power to open their eyes, should we suppose that they are completely without hope and can never see again? Who only is able to restore sight to one who has become blind? What does the example of Bartimaeus teach us is the only hope for one who has fallen into darkness to regain his sight? See again Mar 10:47-51, and cf. Deut 4:29, Luk 15:17.
What does Matthew say motivated Jesus to heal the blind men? See Mat 20:34. What does this also communicate about the Lord’s great love and tender mercies for each one of us in our miserable, poor, wretched, blind and pitiful state, especially as we cry out to Him for deliverance? Cf. Mat 9:36, 14:14, 15:32, 18:27, Luk 7:13, 15:20, Joh 11:33,35. We know that whatever pitiful state men may find themselves in is ultimately because of all the evil in the world that results from sin, and quite often from the sin of the individual himself; what temptation in regard to the lost does this pose to those whom the Lord has given this understanding? What does Jesus’ example teach us should be our own heart’s attitude toward the lost and perishing of the world in their pitiful state? See Joh 3:17, 12:47.
By what means specifically does Matthew say that Jesus healed the blind men? Cf. Mat 9:29, Mar 7:33, Luk 22:51, Joh 9:6-7. Although Jesus could have healed people with only a word, why do you suppose He so often physically touched them? See Mat 8:5-13, esp. Mat 8:13, and cf. 2Ki 5:1-14. What does this teach us about the Lord’s compassion to heal and deliver even when we don’t have a complete faith like the centurion’s? How does this help us to better understand why He quite often heals people today through the touch of others, such as physicians, and not with just a word? Cf. Mat 13:58. In regard to this, what do Mark and Luke record Jesus as saying to Bartimaeus about what exactly it was that effected his deliverance? See Mar 10:52, Luk 18:42; cf. Mat 9:29, Luk 17:19. How does this also relate to us in regard to our spiritual deliverance? See the NAS text note for “made you well” in Mar 10:52 and Luk 18:42, and see also Luk 7:50. Again, have we so great a faith as to believe in Jesus for a salvation from our sins that is as complete as Bartimaeus’ deliverance from his blindness? What does Matthew say was the response of the men after Jesus healed them? See Mat 20:34; cf. Mar 10:52, Luk 18:43. What does this teach us is the natural response of all those whose eyes the Lord has opened? Is it possible for a person who has truly been saved with the complete deliverance Jesus provides to not follow Him?
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The Atonement of Christ's Blood: Understanding How the Blood of Christ Saves and Reconciles us to God
What is the relationship between Jesus’ sacrifice and our redemption, forgiveness and receiving an inheritance per the terms of the covenant / will that was effected by His death?
- From what, and to what, are we saved? Is it Jesus’ death alone that saves us? What part does His resurrection have in our salvation?
- Does the justice of God demand the satisfaction of blood before He will forgive, similar to what pagans throughout history have believed?
- What was the purpose of the Old Testament sacrifices?
- Does blood alone atone for sin?
- How does Christ’s death render powerless the devil?
- To whom was Christ’s life given as a ransom? From what are we ransomed?
- Why did Jesus not only die, but suffer and die? If all that was necessary was His shed blood, why didn’t God sovereignly ordain a more merciful death for His own dear Son?
- What is the relationship between a will or testament, and a covenant? What was willed to Jesus as an inheritance from His Father, and what was willed to us through the new testament in His blood?