By Rev. Stephen Hammond, Senior Pastor
Bethel Community Church
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you,” Mark 10:49.
The context of this portion of scripture is called “Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight.” It always amazes me how people tend to identify each other by our past instead of who we are right now. Bartimaeus is most known for being blind, yet the moment that he met Jesus, his sight was restored. He was no longer blind and was now a follower of Jesus Christ.
His whole life until that moment, he had no hope of ever seeing. When he heard that Jesus was passing by, he yelled out so loudly that it caused a disturbance, and people tried to quiet him. But he would not be quieted because he had a need that only Jesus could remedy. He called out to Jesus. He caused a scene and would not be silent until Jesus noticed him.
I love the picture in this account of Jesus helping a helpless man. Jesus was leaving Jericho to go make His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. He had an important event to attend in preparation for His death. Yet, Jesus stopped His journey for a moment to help a man that no one else could help. He stopped and gave the instruction to call the blind man to Him.
The disciples of Jesus went to the man with this greeting, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” They knew what Jesus was about to do for this man, so they encouraged the man to turn his sad hopelessness into happy cheer. He left his cloak behind, which was the symbol of his blindness, and ran to Jesus.
Jesus immediately healed him, and Bartimaeus became the newest follower of Jesus. That is what Jesus does when He has a real encounter with everyone who seeks Him. In a moment, He changes sadness into joy, hopelessness into a miraculous future, and changes the course of every life He touches.
Jesus is still calling to anyone who is listening. He hears your cries. He sees your tears. He knows your circumstances. He is waiting for you to respond to His calls with the answer that only He can provide for whatever situation that you are in. Jesus is calling; will you answer?
