Mark 10:46-52 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus… I. THAT THE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST ARE NOT NECESSARILY HIS FRIENDS OR TRUE DISCIPLES. "He went out of Jericho with His disciples, and a great number of people." 1. In the multitudes who accompanied Jesus out of Jericho, some, doubtless, followed Him out of mere curiosity. 2. Some followed because it was just then fashionable to do so. 3. Some followed with a view to future worldly advantage. 4. Such following is generally useless, deceptive, and mischievous, being of no real or permanent advantage to anyone. (1) It confers no substantial benefit on any Christian country. (2) It is of no real advantage to those followers themselves. II. The text suggests to us THAT AMONG A MULTITUDE OF CHRIST'S FOLLOWERS YOU MAY GENERALLY EXPECT TO FIND SOME FRIENDS. "With His disciples." Out of those who follow from curiosity Christ is drawing many real followers. 1. This should encourage us to persevere in our own following. 2. This should encourage us in relation to other followers. (J. Morgan.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. |
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