Mark 10:46-52

Mark 10:46-52  Then they came to Jericho.  As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging.  When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”  Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”  So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet!  He’s calling you.”  Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.  “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.  The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”  “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.”  Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. 

The above scriptures reveal the salvation message perfectly.  Notice that Jesus is passing by.  Today, Jesus is passing by: He has been passing by for over 2,000 years.  The book of Revelation says that Jesus stands at the door and knocks.  Who will open the door?  Who will call out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  Notice that many in the crowd and maybe even the beggar's relatives, who might have been standing by, rebuked him for calling out to Jesus.  They must have said, "Be quiet, you beggar.  You have nothing to offer Jesus.  We ourselves provide for you.  Don't disturb the Messiah."  But he called even louder, for he was desperate; he was tired of living his life as a blind beggar.  He was tired of not being able to see.  But Jesus, who hears even the faintest cries for help, stopped and said, “Call him."  The man threw down his beggar's cloak, that which designated his lowly position in life, and he came to Jesus in faith, believing Jesus could do something special for him.  When Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”  The beggar did not ask for food, a better place to beg, or even an easier life.  He asked,  “Rabbi, I want to see.”  Jesus responded, “Go, your faith has healed you.”  Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.  This is the message of salvation.  The Bible indicates regardless of whether you physically see or not, without God in your life, you are blind.  You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’  But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  (Revelation 3:17)  The Bible indicates that all have come short of the glory of God--all are in need of his healing, restorative touch.  Without him in their lives, all people are counted as unrighteous, unacceptable, unable to approach his throne, unable to see his glory, unable to gain eternal life.

Salvation comes to the desperate--to those who recognize that they have a need, to those who know the world just doesn't make sense without God in it, to those who know they are blind.  Praise God!  In every crowd there are those who belong to Christ, who will say to the desperate, “Cheer up!  On your feet!  He’s calling you.”  Listen to his voice.  The Messiah is calling you.  Don't worry, you'll see, you'll see clearly from now on.  Life will make sense to you when you hear him.  All things will become new when the Messiah touches you.  Now you will never be alone again, living a beggar's life.  Instead, He will walk with you, interact with you as you journey through life.  He will comfort you with his words.  He will even say to you, "I heard your words before you called them out.  I saw your desperation; I knew you were there by the side of the road.  That is why I passed by; that is why I knocked at your heart's door.  As you journey through life, you will have a continuous conversation with him: he, telling you how special you are and you, telling him how much you love him.  Yes, life became different for the beggar that day, and life will be different for you when you follow the Messiah with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Choose you this day whom you will serve.