Renewal
Mark 10:45-49: Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man,saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you." And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
Is there a finality of lost opportunity? Can we miss the "one important thing" that we've been placed on this earth to accomplish? Can misfortune, age or loss of physical strength rule the day and prevent us from having the daily sense of purpose and "calling"? Will the impurity of a prior life's decisions lock us into a failure from which we can never hope to escape?
Today as I was reading this passage, I was quickened with a great surge of hope. Poor Bartimaeus! He was blind. But his hope lay in the fact that he knew he was blind. He sat by the road, outside of the city of Jericho. This was that same city which in years past, had experienced the collapse of its walls when worshipping men of faith, in obedience, walked around the city. As they blew the trumpets, God said, "Enough!" and with His mighty finger, He pushed over its walls of protection.
Now, years later, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat on the dustry road outside the city and knew he needed help. The city may have been rebuilt, but Bartimaeus sat in the area of the city's brokenness, for he himself was broken and incomplete.
Was it an accident that Jesus just happened to pass by on that day? Was it an accident that Bartimaeus just happened to be sitting in the right spot to hear the good news? No. There are no accidents where Jesus is concerned. Even though He was surrounded by activity and the din of voices, Jesus heard him cry out for help. Bartimaeus was warned to stop making a spectacle of himself. Isn't it sad how other people do not want anyone else to draw attention to themselves. People want to see a sensation, but people do not want to BE a sensation. And especially, people do not want someone next to them to be a sensation!
But Jesus heard the call. And He stopped. And He commanded that Bartimaeus be brought to Him. Jesus' commands will always override the limitations of the naysayers around us.
Now the excitement really began! Suddenly the discouragers became supporters! And they told Bartimaeus, "Be of good cheer! Get up! He's calling for you!"
Isn't it wonderful that Jesus will notice us as we sit in the dust knowing our weakness and yet longing for deliverance? In this passage, Bartimaeus, is not just Bartimaeus. He is listed as the son of Timaeus. In other words, Jesus was even aware of the blind man's pedigree. He not only knows our name, He also knows our lineage. He knows all about us. He has come to help and to set us free!
What was the result? Bartimaeus leaped to his feet and threw off his garment and ran to the One who would help him. We, too, can leap to our feet, throw off the weight of sin which so easily wants to slip itself onto our shoulders and run to Him for help. He will gladly set us free from our blindnes and make us useful for Himself. He will give us purpose as He cleanses us from the dust of the streets of life.
Hallelujah! Set me free, LORD Jesus!
Victoria
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