About the website name - The Blind Beggar

     I picked the name "The Blind Beggar" because of the story the scriptures tell us about the Blind Beggar named Bartimaeus. This Story is found in Mark 10:46-52. Now at first glance we think it is a story about, well, a blind man gaining his sight. But upon further examination of the text we see it is about the sinners state and their desire to change.

    Now, I hope you picked up your Bible or found one somewhere and read the story; but if you have not here is a little background about Bartimaeus. He was a blind man, well duh, but that meant that he could not work so he had to beg for a living. From necessary inference we can tell that He had knowledge of Christ and his ministry, and we can tell from the text that he had faith in Christ; which was confirmed through his miracle.

      We see that Bartimeaus heard that Christ was coming near he began to cry out, again and again "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!". Now I will be exploring this in later days and weeks, there is often another lesson to be learned in many, if not most of the scriptures. Here we can see that Bartimeaus is like the Sinner who acknowledges his/her current state of being away from God, and it is their sin that is what's keeping them from Him. Bartimeaus acknowledged his current state of being blind and he knew, had faith, that Christ was the only one that could make him see again. We as Christians and non-Christians alike need to know that Christ is the only way to "gain our sight" or atonement for our sin. But like the beggar many will try to keep us quiet or away for what will save us. Just like those in the crowed telling him to be quiet, many who claim to know God will do the same to us. Remember the crowed was there to hear Christ as well. Also the world who already doesn't like the idea of Christians will try to discourage us as well. But like the beggar we will not let that stop us, we like him will only yell louder and louder( or actively seeking the truth ) until Christ hears us. And in the end it will be worth it.

     The scriptures tell us that after Bartimeaus received his sight he began to fallow Jesus down the road. Knowing his faith, he obeyed all that Jesus commanded and that means he was saved. But what does that meant to be saved? or What must I do to be saved? That very same question was asked by the Jailer to Siris in Acts 16:30. The Bible teaches that

 You must hear the word of God - That means the Gospel of Christ, who he was and what he did - Matthew 7:24-27

You must believe that Jesus was the Christ, the son of God - Mark 16:16

You Must repent of your sins - that requires not changing your life first, but changing your mind concerning sin -  Luke 13:3

You must Confess your faith in Christ Acts 8:36-37

You must be Baptized by submersion for the remission of sins - Romans 6:3-6


As Always, God Bless
       - Ashby