Mark 10:50

New Living Translation (NLT)

Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

For Meditation

The monotony of life! The grind and constancy of sitting and begging while trapped in the dark alley of blindness. That was the daily experience of Bartimaeus, and that of everyone without Christ. So, to say that Bartimaeus needed help was a serious understatement.

1.  Can you understand his elation then when Jesus came along (Mk. 10:46)? More than that. Can you imagine Bartimaeus’ surprise and joy when Jesus responded to his plea for help (47)? What use was his cloak when Jesus called for him (50)?
2. If you have ever been asked a question that needed no time to think it over, Jesus’ question to Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you”, is one; isn’t it? “Rabbi, I want to see”, Bartimaeus responded (51). “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” And healed he was – able to see and freed to make sense of his life (52).
3. But, what does a man do with his life after such great deliverance? Light had chased out darkness at the Master’s command and Bartimaeus had a new life to live; but could anything satisfy without Jesus? Is it surprising that Bartimaeus gave it all to Jesus and followed Him (52b)?
4. Was that not gratefulness to the Carpenter from Nazareth? Isn’t that what Jesus expects from all who come to Him for salvation – to follow Him “along the way (52)?”
5. Have you thought about Him this way? Was that not what Jesus commanded Peter to do on the shores of the Sea of Galilee – to follow Him (Jn. 21:19)? Is that not the command to every believer in Christ?

I pray we all be like Bartimaeus and let go all our treasured possession and follow Jesus in full trust and obedience, and in everything.

So: May we enjoy our walk with Jesus; and may we also have faith in Him to do for us whatever humans consider impossible, until final victory embraces us on the other side of eternity!

No treasured possession in this world is worth the joy of heaven and the crown of righteousness Jesus has preserved for us in eternity (2 Tim 4:8).

Shalom