Mk.10:47 – When he heard that Jesus from Nazareth was passing by, he began to shout “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me now in my affliction. Heal me!”
This cry of desperation holds a key to why Jesus stopped for Bartimaeus. Not every blind person that Jesus saw was healed; why this one? I think in the sound of the cry of desperation Jesus heard something. It wasn’t just the loud shouting or the ruckus Bartimaeus was causing, I think there was something in this cry that grabbed the Lord’s attention. “Have mercy on me”. Bartimaeus was crying out for a miracle of healing but there was more to it than that. It appears that Bartimaeus realized his desperate spiritual condition. He was not only blind, he was spiritually crippled and blind. As Jesus drew near the first rays of gospel light began to penetrate Bartimaeus’ heart. “I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Jesus, son of David have mercy on me.” The cry of desperation salted with authentic repentance and dependence stopped Jesus in his tracks. What was Jesus response? “Bring that man to Me”. Here is how the Christ Centered Expository Commentary describes this.
“The blind man pleads with Jesus, “Have mercy on me!” He acknowledges without apology his helpless and hopeless condition. He cannot give himself sight. He cannot make himself wealthy. He is all alone and completely dependent on others, and he boldly and publicly declares he will stake his dependency on Christ and Christ alone, the Son of David.
Like Jesus, Christians should avoid getting so caught up with the masses that we miss the one. Pray for one at a time. Evangelize one at a time. Feed one at a time. Clothe one at a time. Disciple one at a time. Adopt one at a time. Love one at a time. There is always one who needs our help. Do you see that one? Do you hear that one?”
This is how our spiritual journey started. We may have been in the midst of a tragedy and we began to hear about Jesus. The thought of Him brought our miserable condition to mind, I was a sinner in need of a Savior. I cried out for mercy and Jesus called me near. We are surrounded with blind beggars in our world everyday. Keep your eyes and ears open, you might find someone who is crying out for mercy just like Bartimaeus. If so reach out to them, the light of the gospel is about to open their eyes.
