There is a character in scripture who often gets my attention. Being blind from birth, he had every right to feel sorry for his plight in life and could have daily cowered into the dark recesses of his mind being a chronic burden on others, but he didn’t. He was a blind man who ended up with 20/20 vision. If you are like me, you want to know what he did to see.
Mark 10:46-48 begins the story, As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving Jericho, a blind man, Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
- “Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside begging…” You would think that a beggar would have been humiliated, disgracefully having to ask for handouts. Not this guy! He stayed within himself and embraced his predicament crying out for help. James 1:9 instructs, “Believers in humble circumstances are to take pride in their high position.” In the kingdom of Jesus, those who are in humble or misfortunate circumstances should not feel disgraced while serving a mercy-“full” and grace-“full” God. If you are in this position, you are not helpless. Cry out to Him!
- “When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’” When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by, he began to cry out for Jesus to have mercy on him. He did not back down or back off! He shouted out for Jesus. In your difficulties in life, how do you behave? Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:7, to keep on asking, to keep on seeking and to keep on knocking.
- Guess what happened next. “Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” The rebuke of others ignited his hunger for Jesus! Is this our attitude, or do we let others beat us down? “He shouted all the more!”
There’s still more to the story…the response from Jesus:
- Jesus stopped and said, “Call him” (v. 49)! On a busy highway, the heart and cries of Bartimaeus stopped Jesus in His tracks! He wanted to meet Bartimaeus.
- So, they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. Do you jump to your feet and immediately go to Jesus when He calls, or do you timidly, anxiously, slowly, or nonchalantly respond? Are you a victim, passive, or passive aggressive and not act remaining in bitterness and inactivity? If so, you will never “see”. 1 Peter 5:6&7 emphasizes, 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you and will in due time lift you up.
- Jesus asked, 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately, he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Do you wanna see? Throw your cloak (the things in life that “entangle you”) aside, jump to your feet, and go to Jesus (Hebrews 12:1&2). If so, you will see!
Barnabas Man 