Mark 10:47

New International Version (NIV)

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

For Meditation

In a world where bad news is suffocating people, a gentle breeze of good news is always a life saver. Blind Bartimaeus had this life altering experience one day in Jericho. His whole world was shrouded in pitch darkness where beauty was banished to the land of oblivion. The roadside was his office and begging was his business. He lived at the mercy of the generous; but there were days he may have gone home with nothing. But, did anybody think Bartimaeus loved that life? I don’t think so! However, that’s what we think sometimes when the physically challenged ask for a little favor by the roadside. It is true that many enjoy the freewill giving of others that becomes a disincentive for any attempt at getting out of that dependency, but that should not dull the merciful heart, which is divine. Spiritual sensitivity is what we need for working through this dilemma with the heart of Christ.

The number one item on Blind Bartimaeus’ wish list was the recovery of his sight. He yearned to see and be able to fend for himself. Sitting in one place with a cup in hand had become monotonous and boring. Besides, it took away his dignity. In his time, facilities that enable the disabled to gain competence in any preferred profession were unknown. His only hope of recovering his self-worth was a miraculous healing. But where could Bartimaeus find this help?  The only voice he heard repeatedly everyday was, “You are condemned to this deplorable situation for life.”

What a day that was, therefore, when Jesus came by! Like a fresh breeze of cold air on a dry summer day, our friend Bartimaeus heard something different. Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. That’s a name he recognized. The news about Him was mixed. Some said He was the Messiah; others claimed He was a deceiver. The miracles, the casting out of demons, and the authoritative messages supported the Messianic claim; yet the Pharisees and teachers of the law said, “By Beelzebub, the prince of demons, He [drove] out demons” (Lk. 11:15). Bartimaeus, like everyone else, was confronted with this choice, and he made the right decision. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of David.  So on this day that Jesus was passing by, he made his pitch.

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me” (14:47).

The people’s rebuke could not stop him. This was his day, and the last opportunity to a fulfilled dream.

“Son of David, have mercy on me!”

“Call Him.”

“Cheer up! On your feet! He is calling you.”

What good news! The only One who could help him was calling! His cloak was inconsequential, as he jumped to his feet with expectation and came to Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?”

“Rabbi, I want to see.”

“Go … your faith has healed you.”

But where else would Bartimaeus go with his new pair of eyes apart from following Jesus? What was his life apart from the man who had renewed all things for him? He had none before, but now he was full of it. So, Bartimaeus gave it back to Jesus. What a man!

That’s the miracle of the new opportunity Christ brings to the blind, lame, and oppressed of the world. The call of Jesus is the Good News that brings life and renewed hope in its abundance to the ‘Bartimaeuses’ of this world (Jn. 3:16). He has committed the communication of this message to us who have believed (2 Cor. 5:18-21). Our faithful obedience is all He requires, and the rest is the work of His Spirit.

Are you telling it?

Shalom