LORD, HAVE MERCY

The blind beggar, I suspect, sat beside the road daily, rain or shine. The busy highway was bustling with travelers. Going east, the road led downhill past Jericho to the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. Westward, the road led up the steep incline toward Jerusalem. Travelers were constantly coming and going. A few, walking or riding a donkey, left the beggar with a small coin or two. Others offered information. He couldn’t see, but Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, was always listening.

Bartimaeus knew that Jesus was with the large crowds of Passover pilgrims coming his direction. With great anticipation, Bartimaeus readied himself for his long-awaited meeting with the Messiah.

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me” (Mark 10:47). He cried out! “Jesus, oh Jesus, have mercy. I’ve heard that you healed the leper and the crippled. You cast out demons. You even raised the dead. Have mercy on me!”

The entourage traveling with Jesus gruffly and quite unmercifully, shushed him. “Quiet! Jesus doesn’t have time for you! He’s on His way to Jerusalem. He has important business to conduct. He doesn’t care about your troubles.”

But Jesus did care. “Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’ So they called the blind man and said to him, ‘Have courage! Get up; he’s calling for you’ ” (Mark 10:49).

Imagine it! The blind man jumped to his feet. Like an excited schoolboy, he cast off his coat and hurried to Jesus. As he fell at the Master’s feet, Jesus kindly asked, “what can I do for you? Do you need a new coat? Do you want money? Do you need food?”

Bartimaeus replied, “I want to see!” (Mark 10:51). “I want a miracle!”

“Moved with compassion, Jesus touched (him)” (Matthew 20:34).

Take it from Bartimaeus: Jesus has plenty of time for you and your troubles! He cares!

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).