Have Mercy On Me

In Mark 10:46-52, we read about a blind man named Bartimaeus who was sitting by the road begging “when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene (47, NASB)” approaching with a large crowd. He immediately cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me (47)!” Many in the crowd tell him to be quiet, but he continues to cry out, “ Son of David, have mercy on me (48)!”

I picture Bartimaeus sitting by the roadside, unable to see and hearing a large crowd. Someone tells him Jesus is in the crowd. Perhaps he heard Jesus gave sight to the blind so he cried out to Jesus, asking him to have mercy on him. But he cannot see him and probably could not hear his response amidst the noise of the crowd. He did not want to miss this opportunity, so he continued to cry out to Jesus. Isn’t that what we do?

In the noise of everyday life, we hear how Jesus heals — how he transforms lives. We want him to heal us of our brokenness, make us whole. We cry out to him for mercy, but we cannot see his response. Others tell us to be quiet, to just deal with it; to tap our inner strength, but we persist and cry out to him for mercy.

Bartimaeus’ persistence paid off when Jesus responded to his pleas and called him over. Some in the crowd that day told him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you (49).” Bartimaeus responded immediately, “throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus (50).” Jesus asked him what he wanted and he told him he wanted to see. “And Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road (52).”

In the midst of our pleas to Jesus for mercy, for healing and grace, we may not see his presence, but know he is there. Cry out to him, even if you feel he is passing by you. Hear his voice. Throw off the weight of this world and run to him. Share with him the deepest yearnings of your heart. Let your faith guide you. Trust in Jesus and follow him.

© 2020 CGThelen