Blind Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was coming his way, so he shouted for Jesus to heal him. The crowd shushed him. “But he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me’” (Mark 10:48).
Blind Bartimaeus is marginalized and he knows it. He knows Jesus knows it, so he begs for mercy. For underserved help. That’s when you are at your best. That’s what attracts Jesus. People who need mercy.
Jesus healed Bartimaeus not because he was strong or smart, not because he met his sales quotas or earned the employee of the month parking space, not because he was invincible dad.
He simply admitted that he was marginalized. He lived down by the river, on the wrong side of the tracks, in the backwoods.
Jesus tells him, “Your faith has healed you” (Mark 10:52).
Bartimaeus placed his trust in Jesus because he knew Jesus to be merciful, compassionate and present. You can trust Jesus, too.
Jesus is merciful, and doesn’t expect you to earn his approval but freely gives what you’ll never deserve, including the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus is compassionate, and doesn’t stare at you with disgust because you’re doing something wrong or turn a cold shoulder because you don’t measure up. Even though he knows those to be true, his heart opens wide to welcome you into his love just the way you are.
Jesus is present, he loves the margins, the messes and mistakes, those who can’t control their spending habits, those who have made a mess of their marriage, those who burn bridges with people they wish they hadn’t.
Jesus heals it. He forgives it. He doesn’t scold, either, but like he says to Bartimaeus when he receives his sight, “Go” (Mark 10:52).
Jesus has things for you to do. Places to go. People to see. He doesn’t keep you hidden behind closed doors, because he’s not embarrassed by you. He enjoys you like he enjoyed watching Bartimaeus jump around and shout out loud and praise God that he could see.
That’s mercy. That’s faith. That’s now his call for you. Go. Find the marginalized. Show mercy. And see what happens.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I need you. Have mercy on me. Open my eyes to see others and have mercy on them like you have on me. Lead me today to people I need, and to people who need me. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Read the story of Blind Bart receiving his sight in Mark 10:46-52. List at least 3 evidences of Bartimaeus’ faith.
