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Monday July 14 - Have mercy on me
When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Mark 10:47
Plenty of people would have passed by Bartimaeus, whose ears must have pricked up when he heard the name ‘Jesus of Nazareth’. He didn’t have the physical sight to locate Jesus, but he had the spiritual sight to know that he was close, so he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Bartimaeus’ opening words said a lot about him spiritually: he knew that Jesus was far more than just a man from Nazareth. He was Yeshua Hamashiach (Jesus the Messiah).
Bartimaeus’ words, “Jesus, Son of David", show us that he also knew Scripture well, not least 2 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 17. These passages reveal that God promises to save Israel through a Messiah born of the house of David. Clearly, Bartimaeus knew that Jesus was the Messiah prophesied in these books from the Tanakh, read by the Jews (in effect the ‘Old Testament’ books, but in a different order).
Sometimes when you are amongst a group of people, do you feel that they engage with Jesus and yet you are alone? Bartimaeus was separate from others and unable to see Jesus, yet instinctively he knew Jesus was there and called out to him. Even if others around you appear to communicate with Jesus more freely, can you start to talk to him and know that he wants to connect with you?
Jesus, may I learn from Bartimaeus’ incredible faith in you and have the boldness to take new steps spiritually. Amen.
Tuesday July 15 - What stops you asking?
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Mark 10:48
In Matthew 20:30, there is an account of two blind men sitting by the roadside, who also call out “Son of David!" It appears very similar to the one in Mark 10, but Mark focuses on the aloneness of Bartimaeus. As you read his story, do you see parallels of aloneness or loneliness in your own life? Maybe you don’t feel included, or you long for specific assistance but can’t call out for it. Perhaps you’ve had bad experiences of asking for help.
We read today in Mark 10:48 that ‘Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet...’ Other forms of rebuke are to shame, reprimand, criticise, scold, tell-off. These are strong words which would silence most of us, but remember that you can ‘call out’ to Jesus for support at any time. Bartimaeus did, repeatedly and passionately! However, it’s important to look at what drives you to verbalise the need for help. It wasn’t anger or injustice which motivated Bartimaeus, and it shouldn’t be these things in our own lives either. Bartimaeus’ request for healing was driven by his faith in God, and the belief that he had found the one true person able to restore his sight – Yeshua, the Messiah.
Spend time today thanking God for his only Son, Yeshua, who paid the price for your relationship with the Father and your eternal life. Talk to him about what you most need.
Jesus, I’m sorry for the times that I don’t call out to you. Help me to be like Bartimaeus! Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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