Mark 10:46-52 46 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. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” 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. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. 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.
Bartimaeus’s persistent cry for mercy in this text provides a profound model of faith and discipleship. As Jesus walks through Jericho on His final journey to the cross, a massive crowd surrounds Him. Despite his physical blindness, Bartimaeus possesses a spiritual clarity the crowd lacks. Bartimaeus disrupts the entire atmosphere by using a simple prayer: “Son of David, have mercy on me.”
The people who Bartimaeus depends on are the very ones who tell him to stop shouting because they think he’s a nuisance and not worthy of Jesus’ time. Yet, he cries out for the mercy of God to rescue and help him because he has faith in the person he is crying out to. He is yelling a prayer in real time because he’s heard that it is Jesus of Nazareth who is passing by.
Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus, and His response to Him was “go, your faith has made you whole,” and Bartimaeus does just that: physically healed, he began to follow Jesus on the way.
When Jesus calls, Bartimaeus leaves his past behind on that dirt road, trading a beggar's identity for a disciple's destiny.
When the world tells you to be silent, let your need for Jesus drive you closer to the Savior. Throw off your old cloak, step out of the darkness, and follow Jesus.
The crowd tried to silence him, but his expectant faith refused to miss the moment. When the Savior passes by your road and calls your name, don't let the noise of the world hold you back. Cast off your old garments, spring to your feet, and follow Jesus.
True discipleship begins when we stop worrying about the crowd and start following the King who hears and answers our cry.
God Bless! Thank you for enjoying the ride here with Jesus on tonight.
Minister Aiken
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