Seeing through Blind Bartimaeus

Mark 10:46-52

There are so many insights from the story of the Blind Bartimaeus which we can learn from.

1. We must be bold in calling out to Jesus.
He was beggar and he was blind. He was used to being ignored or even stepped on. But when he learned that Jesus was passing his way, he began to shout.

2. We must persist even when others tell us otherwise.
People around him told him to shut up, but he refused. He knew that this was his one golden chance to ask Jesus to heal him.

3. We must be eager/willing to take that leap to go near to Jesus.
Jesus heard his persistent calling and stopped, and called for him. Bartimaeus immediately did these --

a. threw his cloak aside
b. jumped to his feet
c. came to Jesus
d. followed Jesus

The cloak during these times was a valuable piece of clothing, especially for a beggar who has to stay outside. It protected him from the hot sun during the day and kept him warm at night. In his happiness to be called by Jesus, he threw aside his cloak. When Jesus calls us, do we throw aside the things that we hold dear?

In his excitement, Bartimaeus jumped to his feet. After being seated on his spot on the road for so long, his joints must have been stiff already, yet, in his eagerness and happiness in being called by Jesus, he immediately jumped up and ran. Are we just as excited when Jesus calls us to do something for Him or do we drag our feet, moving at our normal pace?

When he finally came to Jesus, Jesus asked him, "What do you ant me to do for you?" It is only when we draw near to Jesus and stand before him in prayer that we can pour out our heart's desires.

Then Bartimaeus, having been healed, followed Jesus. he didn't go back to his old spot to beg, to his old way of life. He had a new purpose in his life and that he was to follow the One who had healed him and had given him a new life.

(Clipart credit: www.theologasia.ph)