Take Heart and Get Up

“Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight. And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

Mark 10:46-51 (ESVUK)

Blind Bartimaeus was sitting by the way. He knew it was the way and that’s why he chose it as a supreme begging spot. But he wasn’t begging for food or money.

Some judged him to be merely a poor man in need of a few denarii or crusts of bread to survive the day. But Bartimaeus wanted more than food. He was longing for more than survival. He wanted to see again.

There is no sorrow like that of one who once had sight, then lost it.

This can happen to any of us on the way.

Bartimaeus had lost his sight, but he hadn’t lost his faith. It is possible to sit by the way, longing for sight, full of faith. Waiting for Jesus.

When Bartimaeus heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene (v 47) passing by, he began to cry out for Him. The crowds raised their voices in stern rebuke, but Bartimaeus didn’t care. He knew from where his help would come. He was full of faith and didn’t care if it caused a scene.

Jesus was passing by.

The crowds changed their tune when Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” Jesus could have gone to Bartimaeus, but he asked him to come to Him instead. 

Herein we find another instead, the God of Instead asking us to rise, instead of sitting in our complacency, to stand up and draw near, instead of cowering in self-pity. There was nothing wrong with Bartimaeus’ legs. He threw off his cloak (oh cloak of despair!), jumped up, and came to Jesus (v. 50).

Then Jesus, looking intently into eyes that could not see, asked the question that silenced the crowds.

What do you want me to do for you?

Did he not want sight? Was it not obvious?

When God asks an obvious question, it is always to expose our hearts.

What do you want me to do for you?

 

I want to see again. I want to know the way again.

 

Go your way; your faith has made you well.

Bartimaeus immediately regained his sight. He immediately knew the way he must go. He began following Jesus on the way and never looked back.

If the sight you once had has dimmed and you find yourself sitting by the dusty way, cry out to Jesus. He won’t pass you by. Take heart and get up. #renewal Share on XGo to the one who is calling for you. You will see again. You will find the way again.

Lord, let me recover my sight and show me the way again. Amen.

@audreycfrank