A Blind Beggar Is One of My Heroes
Bartimaeus, the blind beggar whom Jesus healed, is one of my heroes!
The story of his encounter with Jesus begins in Mark 10:46. Jesus and a crowd of people are walking out of Jericho. Bartimaeus has been waiting – hoping. He hears the crowd and realizes Jesus is in the middle of it. Watch what he does.
When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
“My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”
And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.
I’ve learned three things from our hero:
Humility cries out to Jesus, believing there’s more to life than what they can see without Him. Self-reliant people cannot truly see Jesus (Mark 10:46-47).
When Jesus calls you near, don’t let anything (even your coat), make you hesitate. There’s nothing you need that he will not provide. There’s nothing you have of greater worth than seeing Jesus (Mark 10:49-50).
Call on Jesus for every need but follow Jesus Him every day for the life you were made for.(Mark 10:46-47).
In Christ,
~Pastor Chuck