Mark 10:50

New Living Translation (NLT)

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

For Meditation

Do you have a situation that needs divine intervention? How would you respond once that divine touch comes, and you are relieved of that burden?

Consider the story of the blind man Bartimaeus and Jesus (Mark 10:46-52). His healing by Jesus is remarkable, highlighting his faith (47-52a). However, this message focuses on his response before and after his healing: the casting off of his garment when Jesus called him and his following Jesus afterward, which shows genuine commitment.

At the heart of the story, Bartimaeus persistently cried to Jesus when he heard He was passing by (47-48).

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47).

He believed Jesus could heal him, so he shouted relentlessly. The crowd tried to shut him down, but he would not let up. He persisted in his loud plea to Jesus for mercy. Three things stand out about Bartimaeus’ desperate cry to Jesus: purposeful, persevering, and full of faith.  

First, he cried out with purpose. He was blind, needing to see. The name of Jesus and His acts had become Primetime news in Jericho, and he knew this was his only chance for healing. So, he took it with determination. How about you? Do you pray with purpose?

Second, though the crowd insisted he shut up, their rebuke could not stop him from pleading even more strongly. He persevered in his purposeful cry for mercy from the Son of David (48). His example teaches us to be persistent in prayer until all resistance gives way, and the Son of God addresses our needs.

Finally, Bartimaeus showed unrelenting faith in Jesus to restore his sight (51). We receive from God only by faith through Jesus. James says we cannot expect to receive from God if we pray without faith (Jas. 1:6-8). Bartimaeus knew Jesus would heal him.

Is that how you approach Jesus with your needs?

When Jesus finally called him up to Himself, Bartimaeus cast his coat aside and ran to him (50). That coat could have been all he owned in this world, his treasured possession. However, in his joy, he readily cast it away to answer the call of the Master. O, how we honor the Father when we respond to Jesus with the same careless abandonment of all our treasured possessions!

Bartimaeus’s miraculous healing serves as a powerful illustration: once we’ve experienced mercy, our response should be complete devotion to following Jesus. Although Jesus told him he was free to go (52), Jesus had become his everything. This prompts us to consider whether we, too, have relinquished all and are following Jesus after experiencing His love and grace. His consistent acts of love should inspire us to remain close to Him and to follow Him.

May Bartimaeus’ faith and willingness to surrender all to Jesus challenge you to focus fully on Him as your greatest treasure and goal. 

Remember: No treasured possession in this world is worth losing the treasure Jesus has preserved for you in heaven.

Pray with Me

Jesus, I need you every day. You are all I have and trust, and I am therefore determined to walk with you everywhere you lead me. Thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit, who enables me. Amen.

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