I have to admire Bartimaeus's spunk. He shouts to Jesus, and then when others tell him to be quiet, he "shouts all the more" Mark 10:48. I heard a sermon recently that criticized the pat statement, "... if it be God's will." He said, Jesus asked us to pray that God's will be done on earth, as it is in heaven, implying that because we live in a sinful world- his will is not always done on earth. Why else would he have us pray this? Since we know that sickness, death, and eternal separation are not his will (Matt. 18:14) but entered because of the fall of man (or perhaps because of Lucifer’s sin), we can pray consistently against these evils. God will not tire of us. Even Jesus, the pastor noted, repeatedly asked for the cup to be taken away from him- a message that shouts- "I do not passively accept or condone this sinful problem or the consequences, and yet, out of love, I choose to pay this price." In Luke 18 we read about the persistent widow Jesus used to show us "how we should always pray and never give up".
After speaking about healing, and discussing examples where healing was provided, and not provided, our church opened up a time where people could come up and ask others to pray for healing. I watched, amazed at the response. I couldn't help crying for the little boy whose arms and legs were bandaged because of his crippling skin disease. I wanted to see him healed so badly. I know God can heal. And yet I know sometimes he doesn't. I don't know why. And yet, he asks us to come to him and not give up. I almost didn't want to face the disappointment for that boy if he wasn't healed. I slipped into the attitude of: "Don't ask God, because then you can't be disappointed if he says no- or worse, if he seems to say nothing at all." I believe that attitude is wrong. Coming to him is a kind of healing in itself. He alone can heal our life- disappointments and all. Sometimes he even heals our bodies in this life. We need to continue to ask- and if others quiet us- SHOUT all the louder like Bartimaeus.
2. Humility
And what was he shouting? "Jesus, have mercy on me!"
I find what he was shouting extremely interesting. I would have shouted, “Jesus- I want to see! Heal me!” Instead, his humble plea shows he understands that he is not worthy- he understands he requests an intervention from a holy God. He requests something he does not deserve. I learn from this because I think, “That child deserves to be healed. No one deserves to suffer.” Wrong. It is God’s great desire that none should perish. If he could, Jesus would gather us in his arms like a mother hen, but not because of our worthiness, but because of his holy compassion. Bartimaeus was bold- not stopped by fears of humiliation, not stopped by the disgust of man, but he humbly cried out to the Holy One of Israel.
3. Obedience
Then when called upon by Jesus, he immediately threw his cloak aside, "jumped to his feet and came to Jesus". How many times have I instructed my children, “Obey right away.” I might send them to their room, and they begin at a pace that will ensure Jesus returns before they make it! As their punishment increases, they gasp in shock but I say, “It isn’t obedience unless you obey right away.” How hard it is to put into practice.My fear is that I would be crying out to God with my whole heart, and then he would call, and I would delay. How many people had some reason not to follow Jesus. But he said, we are not fit if we put our hand to the plow and look back. Do I really expect a response when I pray? Bartimaeus did- as evidence by his immediate response. I pray God would give me the strength to throw my cloak aside- forsaking all else- and jump up and meet with Jesus. And I can- through prayer. I can meet him every day!
4. Thankfulness
After his healing, Bartimaeus followed Jesus.
If we have accepted the spiritual healing that Jesus has given to those who have called on him, we show our thankfulness by following him. A daily walk.
Micah 6:8 “He has show you, oh __(your name)__ what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Bartimaeus called out for mercy. He acted justly by jumping up to meet with Jesus, and he showed his thankfulness by humbly walking with Jesus.
Now it is our turn.
