Several weeks ago in my Friday morning Access Church “Jesus the Healer” small group, we read and studied what I consider to be one of the most powerful divine healing accounts in the New Testament, the healing of blind Bartimaeus. Possibly like you, I’ve known of this healing since childhood. I’ve read it, taught it, preached it, and even used old Barty Baby in a puppet routine back in our days of traveling as children’s evangelists.
If I remember correctly, around 2 AM on the morning leading into that Access group meeting, I believe that the Holy Spirit awakened me and gave what has become a fun, powerful teaching from the Mark 10:45-52 account of the healing. True to form, God made this teaching come alive as only He can by using my children’s ministry background mindset and an every-day, common object to make this an easy-to-teach/preach, easy-to-understand healing insight. Within some fifteen to twenty minutes, the 7 UP Healing Miracle was ready to share.
Pull out your Bible and follow along this skeletal 7 UP outline. You can make this even more visual and memorable if you will grab a can of the 7 UP soft drink (this phrase varies with the location of the reader — pop, soda, soda pop, sodie water, or Coke), open the can as the title is shared, and finally take a sip as each point is shared.
THE 7 UP HEALING MIRACLE
UP #1 — Bartimaeus recognized the power of the approaching Jesus and refused to have Jesus PASS HIM UP. Once he learned who was approaching, Bartimaeus knew that it was a now-or-never encounter in the making.
UP #2 —Those around the desperate Bartimaeus told him to SHUT UP. (For those more dignified, HUSH UP.) There will always be those around who will try to keep you in your place and squelch your passion for receiving from Jesus.
UP #3 — His desperation caused Bartimaeus to ignore those around him and instead TURN THE VOLUME UP. It’s been said, if you can be denied, you will be denied. Mute himself? Are you kidding? “…he yelled all the louder, “Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!” (MSG)
UP #4 — Bartimaeus’ undignified display of desperation caught Jesus’ attention, causing Him to stop and command Bartimaeus to GET UP and come to Him. Actions of faith are both seeable and knowable and will bring a response from Jesus. (Mark 2:5)
UP #5 — Upon hearing Jesus’ command, the once antagonizing bystanders were wishy washy and now began to tell the blind beggar to CHEER UP. (NIV) Don’t allow your passion and pursuit to be dictated by the fickle around you.
UP #6 — Jesus commanded Bartimaeus to FESS UP (or SPEAK UP) and tell what he needed. Blind Bartimaeus’ need was obvious. He needed to regain his sight. And yet, Jesus commanded him to be specific in speaking his need.
UP #7 — Because of Bartimaeus’ faith, he gladly GAVE UP his old identity and way of life as Jesus made him whole. (Side note — This is one of five occurances in the gospels where Jesus declared “Thy faith has made you whole.”) His old identity was gone. No longer would he be known as blind Bartimaeus. His daily routine was forever changed. No longer would this former beggar be dependent upon others for support. SEEING Bartimaeus would never be the same again!
I’ve shared this THE 7 UP HEALING MIRACLE with the desire that you will preach/teach it to those in your church and home. As a matter of curiousity, is this usable?
