Have you ever been stopped in your tracks? If so, do you remember what occurred? Read on to find out what happened to Jesus.
Bartimaeus, a beggar who received his sight, is one of my favorite characters in scripture. His testimony is brief but boldly told in Luke 18:35-42, “As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. 36 Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. 37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38 And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, 41 “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.”
As soon as Bartimaeus realized that “Jesus of Nazareth was passing by,” he started crying out to Him loudly and persistently. He knew his only hope of seeing was near and was within earshot. “Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Persistence is often annoying, repetitive, tiring, continuous, and monotonous. It does not give in nor give up.
As a result of Bartimaeus’ persistence, one of the most dynamic moments recorded in scripture occurred, “And Jesus stopped.” “And” is a conjunction which is a connector. Jesus stopping his journey was connected to the continual cries of Bartimaeus for help. His persistent cries caused Jesus to stop in his tracks. As a result, “immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.”
A lesson that I have blogged about twice this week is faithful persistent prayer receives the full attention of God. Bartimaeus was blind and in a crisis and so are each of us in this crazy world. Let no one or nothing keep us from persistently crying out to Him with a humble, repentant heart “following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.”
Has your faith ever stopped Jesus in His tracks?
Barnabas Man 
What a powerful analogy. I’ve never stopped to think of Jesus being stopped in his tracks. What a great insight to have.
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