Mark 10:46-52 – “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.”
This is the story of a blind man who sat by the roadside begging for a living. His life had no purpose. He lived only to survive. He was blind, destitute, and reduced to a life of dependence on the generosity of others. On this day things would be different. He was about to experience a radical change in his life.
On this day Jesus was coming to His city. As Jesus made His way into the city a multitude surrounded Him on the road. Verse 47 reads, “When he heard it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’” The New Living Translation says, “He began to shout.” Bartimeaeus shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
In verse 48 we learn those around him warned him to be quiet. The New Living Bible says, “’Be quiet!’ many of the people yelled at him.” Like Bartimeaeus we must cry out with a loud voice for mercy and deliverance. Imagine the noise on that day. There were thousands who surrounded the Lord. There were many cries for help. In the midst of all this noise Jesus hears the cry of a lonely blind man desperate for help. Be warned when you cry out there will be those who will try to keep you quiet. The world around you will try to make you be quiet. Many times the religious will tell you, “Be quiet, don’t trouble the Master.” The enemy will whisper, “Jesus is not really concerned with your problems.”
We live in a noisy society. We are surrounded by a lot of noise, yet the Lord will hear your cry for mercy and grace. What happened when Bartimeaeus cried out? Verse 49 says, “So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.” This blind man experienced a great deliverance. Psalms 120:1 says, “In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He heard me.” Be encouraged today because He hears you when you call His name.
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