Ever feel like you are in a crowd, with needs and nobody seems to see you, nobody cares, nobody wants to stop their "hurry"? We live a fast paced, get things accomplished world where everyone has to be some place quick. We can get so focused on where we are going that we miss where we really need to be.
Mark gives us an example of this in Mark 10:46-52. A great crowd is moving through Jericho in a hurry to keep up with Jesus. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to lay down His life for the redemption of mankind. But Jesus needed to be in Jericho for one man with a pressing need. The crowd is preoccupied with being with Jesus but there is a blind man by the name of Bartimaeus sitting beside the road begging. The man was blind, but he was able to see.
HE WAS BLIND BUT ABLE TO SEE THAT HE HAD A NEED
He was a poor blind beggar. He was constantly dependent on others to tell him what they were seeing and give him direction. He had to beg for food and money, he had no way to improve himself. He was an outsider, not a part of the "in crowd". He was not a member of their crowd. He was one of those guys that people would pass by and shake their heads at and thank God they were not like that person. No doubt Bart had heard many stories of this miracle worker and realized this could be a red-letter day for him. He doesn't pretend not to be blind or in need. He was tired of not seeing, of not working, tired of only begging - he wanted his life to change and knew that Jesus was passing by.
HE WAS BLIND BUT ABLE TO SEE THAT JESUS COULD MEET HIS NEED
No doubt he heard the great multitude and asked someone what was going on. "It is Jesus passing through our city," someone replied. The crowd said it was "Jesus of Nazareth" (Luke 18:37) but Bart cried out, "Jesus, Son of David". The term "Son of David" was a Messianic term, is it possible he could see clearer with his heart than the crowd could see with their eyes. The crowd tried to silence him, after all they didn't want someone like him to embarrass or take up Jesus' time. But Bart cried out even louder, he was persistent, and the Bible says "Jesus stood still." The cry of faith stopped Jesus in His tracks. There was a great multitude in that crowd - perhaps three or four thousand people, but Jesus stopped for one man and gave him his sight.
HE WAS BLIND BUT ABLE TO SEE THAT JESUS WOULD NEVER PASS HIS WAY AGAIN
What if Bart had let the crowd silence him? What if he had said to himself, next time Jesus comes by I will be healed? What if he thought, "I will work at getting worthy to be healed"? The problem is Jesus would never pass through Jericho again. He was on His way to the cross. Had Bart waited, he would have forever missed his opportunity for healing.
What about you? Are you willing to admit your need? Do you really believe Jesus can do something big in your life? Are you willing to risk all and be persistent? Then maybe you will join Bart and change from sitting, begging, and crying to seeing, following, and glorifying God!!
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