Mark Sorensen I love it when I come across a story from scripture and find something I had never noticed before.
Take a look at Mark 10:46 – 50:
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.
In the story, Jesus was traveling through Jericho and, as always, a crowd was following Him. Somewhere along the journey, they come across a blind beggar named Bartimaeus who heard the Messiah was walking by. Immediately he cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me and help me!”.
Pay close attention to what happens next.
The VOICE translation of Mark 10:47 – 48 reads, “Disgusted by the blind man’s public display, others in the crowd tried to silence him until the Master passed. ‘Be quiet. Shush.’”
Two things.
First.
It’s easy to see the discouragement from the crowd when it came to Bartimaeus’ pursuit to reach out to Jesus. They questioned his crying out and tried to silence him. But it didn’t keep Bartimaeus from reaching out to Jesus all the louder. I love this. The same can be true for today, can’t it? It’s easy to let culture suppress our need for Jesus. But don’t miss this: Bartimaeus did not let culture dictate his need for Christ in his life. I love that Bartimaeus was persistent. When told to be quiet, he cried out louder. And the result? Jesus heard him and called him forward.
But Bartimaeus, unaffected, shouted louder, and Jesus stopped and called Bartimaeus forward. Then it happens. Seriously. This is the BEST part. Ready?
“Bartimaeus cast aside his beggar’s robe and stepped forward, feeling his way toward Jesus.”
Second.
I love this part. He cast aside his beggar’s robe and stepped forward feeling his way towards Jesus. In first century Palestine, a beggar would lay his cloak down and use it as a means to take money from those who felt compassion towards the one in need. But when Jesus called Bartimaeus forward, I love that Bartimaeus tossed the cloak aside EVEN BEFORE he was given his sight back.
King David writes in Psalm 40:3, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” There’s delight in its purest form. A song is being written for you today. Step up to the Father. Pursue it. Here’s the delight:
Jesus is still at work in the world today through the Holy Spirit, and we are a people STILL in need of the Savior.
Wherever you are today, cry out. Be persistent in your pursuit of Jesus and know that, once you encounter the One who gave it all, healing comes, the old is gone and He is still in the business of making all things new.
