Mark 10:46-52
“Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), 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!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”
Mark 10:46-52 Niv
Have you ever felt at times when in desperation you call to God and people downplay your act of faith as if there is no more solution, even God can’t do it so let it be.
But for Bartimaeus, the discouragement that came from the crowd did not silence him for an encounter with Jesus. In fact, he even shouted louder to get Jesus’ attention.
In these verses, we learn about the importance of having the courage to ask for help. Asking for help in a time of need takes courage and risk. In this these verses, Bartimaeus could have stayed quiet and could have just let the presence of Jesus escape him.
He could have let his opportunity to ask for help pass. Jesus, at the end of these verses, lets him know that his faith saved him.
It’s important to believe in your faith and believe in receiving help or asking for it. Doing so does not make you weak and does not make you seem selfish. It allows you to be open to your faith and believe in something.
The story of Jesus healing Bartimaeus is an example of the call of Jesus to care for the lowly and the outcast. It’s an example of humble and confident faith in Jesus. It’s an example of the power of Jesus to heal and to save.
But above all this story helps us see the heart of Christ. That He hears the cries of those who call out to Him and responds with mercy and grace.
After this account Jesus continues to Jerusalem where He will lay down His life as a sacrifice. It is because of His death and resurrection that Jesus is able to save all who come to Him in humble faith.
A relationship with Jesus allows us to have the courage to believe in times of need and in times of fulfillment. Bartimaeus is a blind man seeking to be able to see again.
He confides in Jesus to make that happen. He shows his faith by stepping up and calling for Jesus to heal him. He shows courage in being able to approach and ask for something so grand. He shows that he believes in a higher power and he trusts that he will be taken care of.
Jesus makes clear that it is his faith that has healed him. His persistence in seeking Jesus is rewarded yet it is not his persistence but his faith that has healed him. Jesus does not look at him and say your doctrine has made you well. Nor does he say your good works have made you well.
What we should glean fro m these verses are: Without Jesus we are without hope. Jesus desires to heal me. Salvation, indeed, is very good news. He came to set the captives free. He came to comfort all who mourn and to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.
Rather than go out and see the world, Bartimaeus runs after Jesus. It is notable that he goes from being a beggar alongside the road to being a disciple on the road with Jesus. Jesus has a way of moving us off of the sidelines.
Christianity is not meant to be a spectator sport. We are meant to participate. This is why God has called us to active fellowship and not just be a bystander.
Perhaps the reason so many Christians are bored with their faith is because they are on the sidelines. They are not exercising their faith. They are content along the road watching others. We need to hear the Spirit saying to each of us take heart.
We must throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. We must follow Him. Cheer up. On your feet. He's calling you.
As followers of Jesus we are learning how to believe and how to follow. Faith in Jesus transforms how we think. Faith impacts how we feel. Faith alters what we do. Faith changes what you believe.
God uses faith to direct our lives and rearrange our priorities. Faith is one of the key subjects in the Bible. God wants us to understand faith and what believing in Him is truly all about!!!
Father thank You for this day and for the measure of faith you have given each of us to embrace. Lord let Your abundant blessings fall from the windows of heaven over my friend and family today. Lord help us to wait patiently and look for ways to help and serve others in Your Name. Lord give us the patience to listen to them as they express their need, the tenderness to invite them to let me share their burden, and the wisdom to do what they need. Lord use my friend and I to be someone’s blessing today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !
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