This morning, we’re

continuing our message series entitled “Reclaimed” which is all about

becoming who you were created to be. 

This series begins our focus on the work of the Holy Spirit and His

ministry, the third core value of New Hope.

1 Timothy 1:15 

(ISV)

This is a

trustworthy saying that deserves complete acceptance:

To this world Christ

Jesus came,

sinful people to

reclaim.

We were each created

uniquely and intentionally by God.  We

were created on purpose and for a purpose. 

The process of being reclaimed is all about reaching that full potential

that we were created for.

Matthew, Mark, and

Luke all recorded this incident

Mark 10:46-52 (NLT)

46 Then they reached

Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him.

A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road.

Now we don’t know a

whole lot about Bartimaeus, but just his name reveals quite a bit.  In Hebrew and most eastern cultures, a name

was not just a name. 

A name held

significance that often defined who a person was and their life purpose beyond

just a way to identify one person from another. 

For example, God renamed Abram which meant “exalted father” to

Abraham which meant “father of multitudes” when he gave him the

prophetic word that he would be the father of many nations.

Bartimaeus’ name was

of Chaldean origin being formed from two root words.  The first is the Hebrew word, “bar”

which means “son” and the second word, you guessed it,

“Timaeus.”  Actually, most of

your Bibles probably already defined that meaning of his name.  Why? 

Because this is incredibly significant!

Bartimaeus was born

and was never really given a name of his own; no identity or purpose.  It is reasonable to assume that he was born

blind for this reason.  What is the

Hebrew meaning of the name Timaeus? 

“Highly prized.” 

Although neither the Bible nor extra-Biblical texts give us any

definitive history behind this man’s life leading to this moment, the fact that

it records his name and this account in 3 of the 4 gospels is significant. 

So much can be

inferred just by his name alone.  His

father was a highly prized individual and he was nothing more than a blind

beggar.  The way that he was treated by

those who knew him confirms this assumption. 

To many, he was little more than an annoyance – someone to overlook and

marginalize.  That guy that you pass

every time that you pass through the gate of Jericho.

Unlike the culture

that we live in, this culture was not kind to those who were disabled. They

were considered to be cursed by God and many would treat them as such.they were

a burden to society and their only purpose in life was to beg, it was their only

way of supporting themselves and their only hope for survival.

I’m grateful for the

country that we live in and the culture that we live in that still overall

honors life and values it. A culture that provides opportunity for all no

matter their lot in life.

Maybe you can relate

to bartimaeus, though?  After all, who

are you?  To some, you might be a nobody,

you might be little more than a screw-up. 

You might not measure up to much in the eyes of others, in fact, you may

even annoy them.  Maybe you are also

better known for your problems than for who you really are.  That’s OK, Jesus absolutely sees something

far greater in you!

Despite Bartimaeus’

disability, however, he did have one keen ability – his hearing!

47 When Bartimaeus

heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of

David, have mercy on me!”

I think it is

interesting that the Son of Timaeus called out not, “Jesus Christ!”

not “Jesus of Nazareth!” not “Son of God” not “Son of

Man” not, “Master!” or “Lord!” or “Teacher!”

or any other name which Jesus was commonly referred to as.  He shouted, “Jesus, Son of

David!” 

This name was the

name that was used for the long awaited Messiah, the savior coming in the line

of King David w