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by Sandy Shaw
Jesus and his men are on their way to Jerusalem. Jesus has decided and Jesus has decided that this is the hour.
Luke 18 verse 35 – They make their way to Jericho, and a blind man – a beggar calls out – “Jesus, Son of David - have mercy on me.” Those who were leading this procession gave the blind man a row - Be quiet - Sh! Sh! - Don't make such a noise. Were they embarrassed? Were they annoyed? Did they regard Jesus as their property - for them alone? For their procession in Jericho? And - why should this tramp take up the precious time of Jesus?
He was crying out for mercy - and they were saying "Sh! Sh!" He shouted all the louder - his sight depended upon his meeting Jesus - Jesus Christ the King.
It must have been quite noisy. Whose voice was Jesus going to hear? This was not the setting for a healing - Jesus was not upset or concerned about the setting.
How great is your need at times? What do you really need from Jesus? Is there something that only Jesus Christ can give? Is there something that you need to meet Jesus about? If that is so - you are in the right place.
Blind Bartimaeus sowed a seed - he sowed a request - he sowed a prayer - and soon, for him, there would be a HARVEST.
To the crowd he was just a nuisance - a pest - a tramp. Some people may regard you as that at times - does it matter? There comes a point where we no longer have to think about what people may think of us. To Jesus he was someone in need, and Jesus always has time for the person in need - who really needs Him.
Verse 41 - Jesus asks - What do you want me to do for you? Jesus, is it not rather obvious? But sometimes Jesus wants us to spell it out. Blind Bartimaeus's need is so desperate that he is unafraid and unashamed to make it all public.
When we come in sheer need - Jesus comes in sheer Grace and Mercy and Love and Power.
Kingdom Power flowed. Kingdom sight was given. Kingdom discipleship resulted.
The Kingdom of God had broken through into Bartimaeus's life.
Jesus meets this blind man's need - and in one sense this blind man could see more than all the others put together. He had faith to see that Jesus could heal his sight. What a harvest from that prayerful seed - that prayerful request - that prayerful shout.
Verse 43 . He went on to follow Jesus. He went on to praise God. He was so open to change - his life would now take on a totally new shape - a different form. And the people who were present - when they saw the miracle - they too praised God.
When people rise up and praise God, that is always meaningful and significant.
What a harvest - what a miracle - and it all began with someone who sounded just like a nuisance - but he cried for mercy to the right Person. His prayer was not a polite correctly worded nice sentence - No - No.
Bartimaeus wanted to see - and he didn't care how he sounded - if it were going to get him his sight back. He was for real - he was desperate - determined and persistent – and when Jesus met his need he went on to follow Jesus. What a future - I am sure he had not planned for whatever the future held for him.
As Jesus touches you - blesses you - speaks to you - heals you - forgives you - feeds you - ministers to you - follow Him all the way - to Calvary and beyond.
“Loving Father – heavenly Father – our gracious God – hear our prayers. As we pray, may these words be like seeds. Lord God, we all need mercy. We all need forgiveness. As we confess our sins – as we cry out for mercy – as we spell out our needs – as we tell You about our pains, our hurts, our wounds – have mercy, and touch us. May we feel and sense Your touch. Thank you that Bartimaeus had courage and boldness and guts to cry out – and raise his voice above the noise of the crowd – so hear our voice as we pray and tell You about our needs – for others as well as ourselves – Father, we pray in Jesus’ Name.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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