"So they called the blind man. 'Cheer up,' they said. 'Come on, He’s calling you!'" Mark 10:49
Bartimaeus was a poor, blind man. His physical limitations forced him to depend on others for even the most basic of needs. Unable to actively embrace the beauty of this world we find Bartimaeus perched along the side of the road. Hopeless. Forgotten. Doubting his significance in life. Questioning, "Is there any purpose for me?"
Then enters the Savior. The Christ. The One of whom it was foretold that when He should come, "the eyes of the blind would be opened" (Isaiah 35:5).
Satan whispers, "He doesn't want you, Bartimaeus. You're nothing but a blind beggar. What would the Christ have to do with you? You were born blind; your father was blind. It runs in your family. Don't you know there's no hope for you?"
But Bartimaeus dismisses the enemy's lies. Bartimaeus has heard rumors of the healing power of the Christ. Bartimaeus' ears capture the rumblings of a crowd. Seated on the ground Bartimaeus begins to feel the vibrations of a stampede of footsteps which follow the Healer. Could it be Him--the Christ? Should I ask for help? What if He turns me away? Desperate for hope, Bartimaeus shoves doubt and fear aside. As God in flesh approaches, Bartimaeus stands in faith and cries, "Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!" (Luke 10:48)
Time stood still for Bartimaeus. How would the Holy One respond to the cries of a poor, desperate beggar? Would Bartimaeus be cast away in shame or welcomed with open arms? Truth be known, we struggle with similar doubts.
Jesus stops.
"Tell him to come here."
The crowd rejoices. Because if there's hope for Bartimaeus, there's hope for them too.
“Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, He’s calling you!”
Only Heaven knows the hope that lies in those three little words.
He's calling you.
We do not call Him first. We can call upon Him because He first calls us (John 15:16).
How will you respond to His call?
"Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus."
“'What do you want me to do for you?' Jesus asked."
"'My rabbi,' the blind man said, 'I want to see!'”
"And Jesus said to him, 'Go, for your faith has healed you.' Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road" (Mark 10:50-52).
come to Him, are great encouragements to our hope, that we shall speed
well if we come to Him, and shall have what we come for. Let the guilty,
the empty, the tempted, the hungry, the naked, be of good comfort, for He calls them to be pardoned, to be supplied, to be succoured, to
be filled, to be clothed, to have all that done for them, which their
case calls for (Matthew Henry Commentary on Mark 10).
If you find yourself beside a lonely road, take note of His footsteps. Listen for His voice. He's calling you. Call upon Him. Tell Him exactly what you need (Philippians 4:6).
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