Called Out
And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 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!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
They called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; He is calling you.” Throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.
Jesus said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
The blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.”
Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed Him on the way.” Mark 10:46-52
INSIGHT
If you’ve ever been called out by someone, you know the nervous “pit in your stomach” feeling it induces. During my school years, I would get called out for causing trouble with my friends or sneakily using my phone during class. As a married man, I still get called out by my incredible wife Denise, usually on how I could fold our clothes a little better. Not every call-out is bad of course, but either way, most of us worry about what we have done to deserve it.
The guy in our account today, Bartimaeus, probably felt that pit in his stomach. For background purposes, Bartimaeus does not have the strongest start when we read about him. He is often referred to as Blind Bartimaeus; it is never a good feeling when you’re labeled with a weakness. To be blind in today’s world comes with limitations but we’ve come a long way. Back in the days of Jesus though, not only did blindness leave you vulnerable, but you were viewed by society as less than and worthless. Being blind was not just a disability for Bartimaeus, it was his identity. That is until he met Jesus.
As Jesus made His way through the crowds and passed by Bartimaeus, He knew he had a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Bartimaeus poured his heart out to Jesus. Try to picture this moment. A crowd is following Jesus, and a blind beggar begins to scream out for Jesus to have mercy on him. You can feel the awkwardness and tension in this moment. Bartimaeus abandoned social decency and norms to cry out to someone who he thought could help.
The crowd responded in the exact way we think they should: they tried to silence Bartimaeus. Whether it was because of his labels or the social misconduct Bartimaeus committed, the crowds did not want the distraction. But, Bartimaeus would not be silent. He knew that if he could get just a single moment with Jesus, his life would change forever. Sure enough, Jesus stopped and told His disciples to call Bartimaeus over.
I love the reassurance the disciples showed as they approached Bartimaeus. They tell him, “Take heart. Get up; He is calling you.” I cannot think of ever hearing a greater invitation! The question Jesus posed to Bartimaeus is simple, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Bartimaeus asked for the obvious. He wanted to be able to see. Jesus responded, “... Your faith has made you well.”
The implications of this statement go far beyond the recovery of sight. If Bartimaeus only had received his sight, he would not have walked away well. Even though he was an outcast, Bartimaeus was just like everyone else before they met Jesus – spiritually blind. When Bartimaeus was made well by Jesus, his entire life changed. Bartimaeus left his labels as a blind beggar and followed Jesus.
After one encounter with Jesus, Bartimaeus was a new person. That same reality is true for us. Jesus hears us when we cry out for Him. No matter what the world may use to convince us to stay quiet, our pleading and cries are heard by a loving Father. When He calls you, He makes you well. You no longer carry labels of your conditions or circumstances; You carry the label of His child.
REFLECTION
Is there a label that keeps trying to stick itself to you?
Replace any label that is not from Jesus by claiming the truths that He has spoken over you.
PRAYER
Father, I am grateful that the words You spoke thousands of years ago to Bartimaeus are words that You also speak over me. Before You, I was blind in my heart, and I was sick in my sin. Yet, one moment with You changed all of that. I came to You and You made me well. You gave me sight. May my identity in You rise above the labels that try to stick to me. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.
Port City writer Davy Nance wrote today’s devotional.
