Mark 10:48

New International Version (NIV)

Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

For meditation

“Why do you think I chose your little town for my seminar on entrepreneurship last week”, the billionaire businessman asked Jones. “So, why didn’t you talk to me after the group session? Remember I opened myself to meet one-on-one on any issue?”

“I wasn’t sure you would meet with me, knowing my notoriety as ex-con in the community. Besides, too many people crowded you after the session and I couldn’t muster the confidence to push my way to you”.

“That’s too bad, Jones. I held the seminar in your town because somebody in the community had written to me about your project and your desire to meet with me. Remember I even stopped for a handshake and photograph with you on my way out”, the businessman queried.  “Well, I called you to my office this time because I like people who challenge themselves to make right, their sordid past by doing something with their lives; and also because, I like your project. So how can I help you?”

1. Can you imagine the loss of this ex-con, had it not been for the magnanimity of the billionaire businessman?
2. What opportunities haven’t many missed by allowing their imaginations and people’s perceptions stop them from getting the help they needed?
3. So, do you get the lesson of Blind Bartimaeus and Jesus (Mk. 10:46-52)? Though he was visually challenged; do you see how he compensated with his ears and mouth (47)? Isn’t it a marvel to reason how he knew Jesus was the Son of David, the Messiah, when the sighted and learned disputed that truth?
4. Recognizing his need and the only One who could help him, do you see how Bartimaeus persisted in his plea for mercy (48)? Isn’t his unyielding faith against extreme opposition, inspiring?
5. What then is our need? Is it salvation or healing or protection or peace? Is it counsel, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, or encouragement? What is it that the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Is. 9:6), cannot do for us if only we would ask?

I pray our faith in our Risen Christ would be released by Bartimaeus’ example into an attitude of persistent prayer that takes hold of victory in Him.

So: May Jesus hear our cry for mercy above all the deafening shouts of our problems; and may the grace of God embrace us today with the greatest surprise of our life, in Jesus’ matchless name. Amen!

Shalom