Be a Bartimaeus

There is a great story in the Gospel of Mark about a blind beggar who could see better than everyone else around him. I would encourage you to take a look at Mark 10:46-52.

Jesus and the disciples were leaving a town and as usual a crowd was hot on their heels. Bartimaeus was sitting by the side of the road and he could feel that someone important was passing through. Bart calls out to Jesus, and he is told to be quiet! This blind beggar doesn’t let their lack of love stop him and he begins to shout louder “Son of David, have mercy on me”. No doubt Jesus hears the commotion and invites Bartimaeus to come to him.

“What do you want me to do for you” Jesus asks
“I want to see” Bartimaeus replies.

What can we learn today from a blind guy who shouted louder than those who tried to silence him and who lived over 2000 years ago?…

1. There will be all kinds of things and people who will attempt to stop us from pursuing Jesus, but like Bartimaeus we need to focus on our redeemer and not the many other voices.

2. We may not always feel worthy of Christs attention but that’s a lie. Bart was blind but still knew he could stand before Jesus with confidence. Come as you are!

3. “I want to see” Bartimaeus replied to Jesus’s question and immediately he received his sight. Everyday day we should be praying that we would see, that God would open our eyes more and more.

I want to encourage you as we enter into a brand new week. Don’t stay seated in the dust or let other people or things stand in your way of having your eyes opened. Its time to stand up, throw to the side what weighs you down, and run to Jesus.