A VERY Special Baby: Christmas Series Part 4

Exodus 13:11
“And it shall be, when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to you and your fathers, and gives it to you, 12 that you shall set apart to the Lord all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be the Lord’s."

(Simeon holds baby Jesus."

When Jesus was about one month old, Mary and Joseph, as required by law, took Him to the temple to be dedicated. An old man named Simeon was there.  Through the leading of the Holy Spirit, he was there at the temple that very same day.  God was keeping His promise this faithful man of God that he would not die until he got to see Jesus. He had waited many years for this promise to come true.

Secrets In The Hebrew Language.
"Simeon," in Hebrew, comes from the root word "shema," which means "hear." Ask any of your Jewish friends about the "Shema" and they will tell you it encompasses the whole law.  It is a summation of this one verse from Deuteronomy 6:3:  "Shema Israel: Yahweh Elohenu, Yahweh Echad." "Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God is One LORD."  They will not speak the word, "Yahweh," the Tetragrammaton, but instead substitute the word, "Adonai," however.

Typologies.

Simeon is a type of the law, the Old Covenant, that was passing away. When he saw Jesus, he took the baby in his arms and said, "Lord, now You are letting your servant depart in peace." He had seen God's "salvation;" God's "Y'Shua-Jesus!". Simeon, a typology of the Law (Shemá), was happy to "go away" because JESUS--GRACE was coming into the world!  The Holy Spirit is showing us that the law was being replaced by grace! HALLELUIA!!!

At the same time, there was a prophetess named "Anna, "who had been day and night in the temple, fasting, praying and pointing people to Jesus.  Her name is a short form of the name"Channanaiah," which means, "God's grace."

Luke 2:36-38 (KJV) 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of *Phanuel,* of the tribe of ASHER: she was of a GREAT AGE, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."

(Prophetess Anna.)

Did you catch that?  The INSTANT Simeon left, she appeared!  

She was the daughter of "Phanuel."  Phanu means "face."  "El" is an abbreviated form of God's Name, "Elohim/Creator."  "Hannaiah haPhanuel," means Anna was "Grace from the face of God!"  

Remember what Proverbs tells us?  "A merry heart doeth good, like medicine."  In the presence of God, there is true happiness, well-being and LONG LIFE."  Here she was at the age of 84, still strong, still preaching away, pointing people to Jesus! What a gal!  

As soon as "Shema" departed, she came in to see the baby. Isn't God good?  He wanted us to know for sure that  the Law was leaving because Grace was coming!  

Gematria.
Here's something else in this passage.  She was 84 years of age, it says.  That is a very interesting number.  Numbers in the Bible have meanings.  The rabbis call this phenomenon, "Gematria."  (For more on this topic, follow this link:

http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2015/11/bible-numerics.html)

You see, Hebrew uses the letters of the alphabet for numbers, unlike Western cultures. What does the number 84 tell us? 

If you remember your times tables from grade school, you know that 84 is 7x12.  7 is the number of perfection or completion.  7 is "shevah," in Hebrew, which means "promise or oath."  12 is the number of government. 7x12=84 therefore 84=PERFECT GOVERNMENT.  GRACE...not law...IS PERFECT GOVERNMENT!!!

As the passage indicates, all these many years, Anna had been preaching in the Temple, dishing out "Royal Dainties."  What are "Royal Dainties?"  This whole scene was foretold by Jacob in his blessing over his son, Asher, way back in Genesis 49:20, when he prophesied over his son, Asher,

"Bread from Asher shall be rich, And he shall yield "royal dainties."

Anna was feeding people the Bread of Heaven:  Royal Dainties.  Jacob may not have had the full revelation but his blessing over his son was a prophetic reference to this distant relative, Anna. Care to guess from what tribe she came?  Yes, Asher!  

Asher means "healthy and happy."  Even at the advanced age of 84, she was both happy and healthy because she had been preaching about Jesus for years.  The Holy Spirit hides the secret to our happiness and longevity here in her story.  Preaching Jesus: GRACE brings happiness and longevity!

Now, because of Jesus, you and I don't have to go around telling everyone about Jesus; we GET TO go around dishing out such "royal dainties," just like Anna because of that VERY special baby!

Chimham's Inn: Christmas Series Part 2

Luke 2:1-7

“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR THEM IN THE INN.”

(No room at the Inn.)

Taxes.  Nobody likes taxes.  Yet, amazingly, God used them to orchestrate events so that His Beloved Son, Jesus, would be born in Bethlehem.  

Herod was king back then though he was not the true King.  He wasn't even Jewish.  He was an Edomite, a usurper and a very evil King at that, though he was a great builder.  

On the other hand, Joseph and Mary BOTH were direct descendants of King David.  They were actually the rightful heirs of the throne, a bonafide royal couple.  Through their lineage, Jesus had a double claim to the throne of his father, David.

Genealogy.

Matthew chapter 1 records Joseph's lineage to David, who's ancestor was Solomon.  Mary's is recorded in Luke 3.  Her ancestor was Nathan, another of David's sons, for he had many.  Interesting that his name means, "Gift!"

Did it ever seem strange to you that the lineage in Matthew only goes as far back as David, the son of Abraham?  Why?  Because Matthew is all about Jesus as the King of Israel.  Luke's gospel, on the other hand, portrays Jesus as "the perfect Man."  That is why which the genealogy recorded there traces all the way back to Adam, proving Jesus was fully man.  He did not take over some human body, like invasion of the body snatchers.   

(For more on that topic, follow this link and also discover why we have four gospels:

https://emmausroadministries.wordpress.com/2016/03/30/why-do-we-have-four-gospels-tabernacle-series-part-5/)

Joseph And Mary's Itinerary.

There were two possible routes they could have taken. {See map}  One was more direct; the other turned East, ran along the Jordan River toward Jericho and then turned West, back again toward Jerusalem.  Both were approximately 70-75 miles in distance, give or take, and would have taken about four or five days if one were to walk about 20 miles a day. 

In the opening passage, it says that "the days were accomplished that she should be delivered."  By that phrase, you can tell she must have been VERY PREGNANT, not too far from her due date.  How'd you like to make a trip like that, ladies, at nine months pregnant?  Wow!

The Jordan route would have been the most likely for two reasons.   First, it would have been flatter terrain and thus easier traveling.  Being the lower in elevation, it would also have been more moderate in temperature. The other reason was that most Jewish people did not like to go through Samaria.  They did all they could to skirt around that region lest they be soiled by contact with those ignorant Gentiles. 

Why Did Mary Accompny Joseph?

Either way, in those days, it was a long and difficult journey from Nazareth and Mary, being great with child, would have found it particularly difficult.  

Under normal circumstances, she would never have accompanied Joseph on this journey because, back then, only men were taxed.  But because she was so far along in her pregnancy, which no one could adequately explain, she would have been in grave danger had she remained in Nazareth.  She wasn't legally married to Joseph yet, simply betrothed, so they assumed she had broken the Law of Moses.  They might have stoned her to death.

The Inn.

Now what about this Inn, and who in the world is Chimham (pronounced "Kím-ham)?"  

There is a very long history and interesting story to tell.  Located in greater Bethlehem, it was a well-known place for travelers to stop along their journey.  There were many lodging places all throughout the Middle East along the Silk Road.  Such places, called "Caravanserai," offered travel-weary folk lodging for the night as well as food and water for their transportation, kinda like our Modern-day hotels.  The oldest of these is in present-day Turkey.  Still standing, it is more than 600 years old!

History Of The Inn.
Mary and Joseph's ancestor, David, was a Bethlehem boy from way back.  He lived there until he became king and moved into the palace, which at that time was located in Hebron.  The home in Bethlehem, where he grew up, was passed down to him by his father, Jesse.  He inherited it from his father, Obed, whose Mom and Dad were Boaz and Ruth, the Moabitess.  

Boaz, you recall, was the wealthiest and most eligible bachelor in all of Bethlehem who had fallen madly in love with Ruth, the widow of Naomi's son.  You can imagine his home was not too shabby, more like an estate.  

His parents were Salmon and Rahab.  Remember her?  She was the reformed prostitute from Jericho that helped the two Hebrew spies.  Salmon's father was Nahshon who had been captain of the tribe of Judah.  He lead the Israelites through the Red Sea.

What an long, amazing and illustrious lineage of the Bible's "Who's Who!  

Barzillai The Gileadite.

Back when David was King, his son, Absolom, who was extremely handsome and charismatic, wanted the throne for himself.  He stole the hearts of the people away from his father.  But instead of fighting his son, David chose to walk away.  He didn't want to kill him.

As he was wandering here and there with his mighty men, several people helped him. Let's follow the story in lI Samuel 17:27-29.

“Now it happened, when David had come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the people of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, brought beds and basins, earthen vessels and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds, honey and curds, sheep and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him to eat. For they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.””

Barzillai was very old, somewhere around 80 years old.  Two chapters later when Absolom was killed, David prepared to cross back over the Jordan and return home.  Gilead, where he had sought refuge, is in present day Jordan.  He wanted to reward Barzillai for his many kindnesses but he declined as we'll read below:

“Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, near the grave of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what seems good to you.” And the king answered, “Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you. Now whatever you request of me, I will do for you.” Then all the people went over the Jordan. And when the king had crossed over, the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his own place. Now the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him. And all the people of Judah escorted the king, and also half the people of Israel.”

II Samuel 19:37-40

The Sons Of Barzillai.

Later on, David, on his deathbed, didn't have much of anything good to say about anyone:  "Kill this person, get rid of that guy," and so on; except for the "sons of Barzillai.  

““But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.”

I Kings 2:7 NKJV

We don't even know Barzillai's real name, only that he was the son, "bar," of "Zillai;" but his sons were accorded forever the privilege of eating at David's table in his own house, you know, the beautiful home of Boaz in greater Bethlehem.  Later on, this house came to belong to Chimham and his descendants as you see in the scripture below.

“Then Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, took from Mizpah all the rest of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah after he had murdered Gedaliah the son of Ahikam—the mighty men of war and the women and the children and the eunuchs, whom he had brought back from Gibeon. And they departed and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is near Bethlehem, as they went on their way to Egypt,”

Jeremiah 41:16-17 

This great home which had belonged to David became the Inn which formerly belonged to the royal family of the house and lineage of David.  By the time Jesus came along, however, it had changed hands and had turned into a purely money-making operation.  I mean, come on; a VERY PREGNANT lady comes along and the innkeeper can't even ask anyone to give up their room for her?  The guy was obviously all about money.  

But did Joseph kick up a fuss and pull rank on him and say, "Don't you know who I am? I'm the rightful king of Israel.  I'm a DIRECT DESCENDANT of King David himself!"  No.  None of that.  He left it in God's hands to work all things out for good.  And so He did.  God was about to show to His people a sign; a sign to the shepherds.

So where did Mary have her baby?  IN THE "CAR PORT; the stable," where the animals were kept.  

Baby Jesus was placed in a very particular manger, most likely the one at the foot of the Tower of Eder, Eder Migdol, or the Tower of the Flock.  It was here that they kept sheep used for temple sacrifices.  

They were all good quality sheep fit for use a sacrifices because, as soon as they were born, they were  "wrapped in swaddling" clothes to lie in mangers so that, while they were very young and rambunctious, they wouldn't jump around and injure themselves.  That would render them unfit to be used.  So, when the Angel told the shepherds that they would find the babe wrapped in "swaddling clothes, lying in a manger," there was no doubt in their minds what manger it was!

The Original Owner Of The House.

You learned that grand home once belonged to Boaz, whose great, great grandfather was Nahshon, the captain of Judah.  But there was someone long before Nahshon who built that house years before and who lived there first:  Jacob.

When his favorite wife, Rachel, died, he buried her just outside Bethlehem and erected a monument there when exists to this day. 

“So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day. Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.” Genesis 35:19-21

Rachel's tomb is still there.

Spiritual Truth.

Notice the name change from Jacob to Israel?  That means there is a spiritual truth hidden here.  Jacob was his given name but the name, Israel, was given to him by the Lord.  He "pitched his tent just beyond the Tower of Eder," where the flocks of the temple sacrifices were kept.  Being his most beloved wife, he wanted to be close to her so he built his house nearby the monument he erected.

Years later when the young shepherd boy, David, came along, he most likely was a shepherd to those very sheep who would be used in temple sacrifices.  He would even fight against wild beasts for these sheep who were basically born to die.  

Centuries later, the original family owners, THE ROYAL COUPLE, the parents of David's great, great, great, great......grandson, THE KING OF ALL KINGS, came looking for lodging and safe haven so that His mother, Mary, could have her baby.  How incredibly ironic that there was no room for Him in the house that He rightfully owned!   And do you know why they were rejected, even though she was VERY PREGNANT?  They probably didn't have enough money to bribe the money-grubbing owner.  So, they were relegated to a cold stable for animals where there was only a stone manger filled with hay in which to place lay baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes.

And that, Church, is the amazing history of the Inn where no room was found for the King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords known as Chimham's Inn.

Queens, Concubines and Virgins Without Number

Song of Solomon 6:1

"Where has your beloved gone,

O fairest among women?

Where has your beloved turned aside,

That we may seek him with you?"

This wonderful book, this "Song of Songs," describes Jesus #1, His love for us and His loving relationship with His bride, The Church.  It is a picture of two so enamored one with the other that neither could ever have eyes for anyone else.  The love they share is deep and abiding.

Jesus describes us in terms that also apply to human relationship in marriage.  He talks of love and intimacy yet He is referring to how He relates to His people.

In chapter 6, the Beloved has gone away just as Our Jesus has gone away, back to His Father in Heaven.  We, His people, who have been left here on earth during His absence, are described in verse 8.  We are grouped into three categories and they are:  "Queens, Concubines and Virgins without number."  Why?

"8 There are sixty queens

And eighty concubines,

And virgins without number."

Sixty Queens.

In the verse above, notice that there are fewer queens than there are concubines but "virgins without number."  What does it mean?  

The Holy Spirit is drawing pictures for us again!  

A Queen is one who has a bridal relationship with the King, Jesus.  She shares His Name, His love, His throne and she is intimate with Him.

Believers in this category have a burning, deep and abiding love for Jesus simply because they know how much they are loved by Him.  

Born out of such intimacy is a walk that is secure in the knowledge of His perfect provision for her. They lean hard on His love and are at rest. 

They are not worried as they walk through life.  There is a deep and abiding trust for their provision and protection.  They are supply-minded, not demand-minded.

They freely share everything with Him in full assurance of His love because there is no fear of retribution or condemnation.

They also walk in a power that is evident to those around them.  Because they understand they are enthroned with Jesus, they never pray FOR victory, no!  It is finished!   They pray FROM VICTORY!  

The verse in Matthew 7 that states, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it," describes this group perfectly.

Eighty Concubines.

Concubines share intimacy but do not share the throne.  Like Christians who don't fully know who they are, they have lost their scepter.  There are more believers in this category than in the Queen's division.

A kings scepter was always made of gold.  Gold in the Bible speaks of Divine righteousness.  To lose your scepter means you have a consciousness of your sins as opposed to your righteousness in Christ.

Those who have lost their scepter are more hesitant to approach God, believing they must ask forgiveness for their sins each time they fall and be made right again and again in order to come into His presence. This false conception breeds a fear and hesitance, creating a perceived distance between them and God. 

As a result, though they come before the throne, they don't sit on it, never feeling quite worthy.  They have little or no power as they walk through life, falling easier prey to sickness and troubles.  They seem to struggle to live a holy life, more easily beset by bad habits.  They don't fully understand how much they are loved by God!  

The way to this group and the next one is progressively broader.

Virgins Without Number.

Virgins are Christians who are just  happy to be saved and washed in the blood.  They do not really know Jesus.  They don't share intimacy or the throne, yet they are still saved.  It is difficult to tell them apart at times from the rest of the world.  At lease when they die, they'll go to heaven or, if they're still here when the rapture hits, they'll be going up with the rest of us!

There so many Christians in this category as to be without number.   The so-called, "Worldly Christan," is in this category.  For more on that topic, follow this link:  https://emmausroadministries.wordpress.com/2016/06/07/the-love-of-the-father/

Like Queen Esther.

Jesus wants queens, like Esther, who know who they are, who share the throne with Him and know how to use their power and Authority in His Name.  Church, we share Our Husband's Name!  We wear His signet ring!  We carry His scepter of power!  

In these last days before His return, the devil is beginning to be just as afraid of the Queen, US, as Haman (picture of our enemy, satan) was afraid of Esther.....as he is already afraid of THE KING:  JESUS!!!

So stand up, Church!  Come on into the Holy of Holies!  Know who you are in Christ and what power you wield in His Name!  Don't be afraid of "the dark" any longer.....the "dark" is afraid of you for you have within you THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD:  JESUS!

So, who do you want to be?  A queen, a concubines, or one of the virgins without number?

Where Are You?

Genesis 3:8&9

8 "And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, WHERE ART THOU?"

The Question.

Adam and Eve, who once enjoyed close, personal, sweet face-to-face fellowship with God, now hid from Him because they were afraid. 

Why did the LORD ask them where they were?  Doesn't He know all things? Well yes, of course He does.  He knew where they were. So the question remains, why did He ask this question?

This is the very first question recorded in the Bible. God asked it of Adam and Eve.  Do you really believe He was unaware of there whereabouts?  No.  Of course He knew.  But He didn't ask because He didn't know where they were:  They didn't know where they were. 

It was now His sorrowful task to telling them the consequences of their sin.  His question, however, would have no answer until 4,000 years later.

How His heart must have been breaking when He told them of their fallen condition, their broken relationship with Him and how they would no more be able to walk with Him in the cool of the garden.  No more sweet communion with Him.  No longer could they see His face.

The Answer.

What is the answer to God's question?  It is found in the answer to the first question recorded in the New Testament!

(Wise men ask Herod where Jesus would be born)

In the gospel of Matthew, the Holy Spirit has eloquently recorded that answer for us.

Matthew 2:1-2

1 "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, WHERE IS HE THAT IS BORN KING OF THE JEWS? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." 

The answer is "COME.  COME AND FIND HIM Who is born King of the Jews. Come and worship Him."  

He is the One worthy of all our worship and praise!  The ONLY One!  He came to pay a debt He did not owe for us who owed a debt we could not pay.  And He is still holding out His nail-pierced hand which is freely offered to "whosoever will," though it was anything but free to Him.  It cost Jesus and His Father EVERYTHING!

What better gift could you get at Christmas or, for that matter, any time of the year?!   Eternal life: The gift that keeps on giving!

So.....Where are you?

Blind Bartimaeus

Mark 10:46-52

"Now they came to Jericho. As He (Jesus) went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.

Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”

And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road."

"Jesus stood still."  That's a powerful phrase!  Only three times it is mentioned in scripture that He "stood still," and each time, it was to open the eyes of the blind.  Twice it was spoken to two men as He approached Jericho and two more times to the same blind man as He was leaving Jericho.  The 

The name, "Bartimaeus," is mentioned only one time in the entire Bible:  Right here in Mark 10.  Though there are other times in the other two synoptic gospels where Jesus restored the sight of a blind beggar near Jericho, these may indeed be the same event or they could be separate events.  The man, "Bartimaeus," is only named here, in Mark's account.

We don't even know his real name, only that he is the son:  "Bar," of Timaeus.  His name means, "Son Of The Unclean One, or Son Of Uncleanness."

Jericho, the city which God cursed, is located at the lowest point in planet earth, near the lowest body of water at  1280 ' below sea level, The Dead Sea.  How appropriate that the "cursed city" should be near the "Dead Sea," where nothing lives.

These are all word pictures the Holy Spirit is drawing for us.  

He called Jesus, "Son of David."  Only a Jewish person can say that so he was obviously Jewish.  But he was also from Jericho, signifying that, without Christ, they are also without hope of salvation.  It's clear from Paul's writings that the Gospel is "to the Jew first," but also for us Gentiles!  

Sea is always a reference to the gentile nations of the world.  Outside of Christ, we are all of us: Jew and Gentile, are poor and blind.  We only get crumbs from people passing by.  What we need is to be healed from our blindness!

At first, the others walking with Jesus heard the man cry out to Jesus.  They told him to keep quiet.  But he persisted.  At last, Bartimaeus was told that Jesus was calling him.  So, he immediately jumped up, threw off his outer coat and came to Jesus.  

“What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.  The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”  Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road."

The One Who made the stars, called them all by name and set them on their courses in the heavens; the One Who caused the sun to stand still in the sky so that Israel could defeat their enemies, Who parted the Red Sea, THAT GOD.....stopped at the cry of a blind beggar.  What a Saviour!  That's our God!

His outer cloaks depicts our sinful nature that Jesus replaced with His white robe of righteousness.  We all must come to Jesus just as we are; no pretensions to any righteousness of our own.  

There is a dark, empty hole inside of every one of us that only Jesus can fill.  He is the only bread and water of life that can truly satisfy a hungry and thirsty soul.  The world instinctively knows this, even though they look for love in all the wrong places.  The One against Whom they fight so hard, blinded by the Prince of darkness, is the One they need most desperately.  

The Gospel of Mark records events chronologically.  Right after this healing of the blind beggar, Jesus entered Jerusalem, riding in a donkey, an event we call, "The Triumphal Entry."  It signifies why he came:  To seek and save that which was lost.

 

When Jesus came, He healed the sick, bound up the broken hearted, restored sight to the blind and made the lame walk.  Physical and spiritual healings of all kinds.  His name is only mentioned once because SALVATION ONLY HAPPENS ONCE.  It is good for all time and eternity.  It can never be lost.  We get up, sight restored and follow Jesus on THE road.

And that, Church, is why we have the story of Blind Bartimaeus.