Have you ever reached a point where you desperately needed help? The longer we live, we will eventually be in a situation where we need help with relationships, physical challenges, life decisions, finances or another challenge. What do you do when you desperately need help?
Bartimaeus is one of my favorites in the Bible. He was desperately in need of help. In Mark 10:46-52, we read that Bartimaeus was blind. He also was a beggar, which meant that he had no one to take care of him. In the text, we see him sitting beside the road begging. When he heard that Jesus was coming through town, he began to yell, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” That didn’t sit well with the crowd. They told him to shut up. I imagine many were thinking he was really crying out “Give me money!”
But, Bartimaeus wasn’t asking for money. He was asking for mercy. In Mark 10:49 it says “Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’” Bartimaeus got up and came to Jesus. Jesus asked him “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus said “ Rabbi, I want to see.” Jesus told him his faith had healed him. In other words, Bartimaeus knew it was Jesus and He had faith that Jesus could heal him.
On the outside looking in, I could look at this whole scenario and judge Bartimaeus. He probably looked scruffy and was certainly annoying with all his yelling. Why did he have to say the same thing over and over? You know how easy it is to judge your fellow human, right?
Bartimaeus is one of my favorites in the Bible. He was desperately in need of help. In Mark 10:46-52, we read that Bartimaeus was blind. He also was a beggar, which meant that he had no one to take care of him. In the text, we see him sitting beside the road begging. When he heard that Jesus was coming through town, he began to yell, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” That didn’t sit well with the crowd. They told him to shut up. I imagine many were thinking he was really crying out “Give me money!”
But, Bartimaeus wasn’t asking for money. He was asking for mercy. In Mark 10:49 it says “Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’” Bartimaeus got up and came to Jesus. Jesus asked him “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus said “ Rabbi, I want to see.” Jesus told him his faith had healed him. In other words, Bartimaeus knew it was Jesus and He had faith that Jesus could heal him.
On the outside looking in, I could look at this whole scenario and judge Bartimaeus. He probably looked scruffy and was certainly annoying with all his yelling. Why did he have to say the same thing over and over? You know how easy it is to judge your fellow human, right?
But, it was Bartimaeus who had faith! He believed Jesus COULD heal Him. It was the crowds that really couldn’t see. Blindness comes in all sorts of ways, doesn’t it?
What miracle are you asking God for today? Do you really believe that God can do anything? Did you know that God hears your cries for help? Don’t give up asking God to work a miracle in your life. It just takes a very small amount of faith. Just believe. God is able.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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