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 the blind man, Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you, 

Mark 10:47-49 

Christ hears the cry of those who call upon Him. Bartimaeus cried loudly and allowed no one to silence him. He wanted Christ to hear him and have mercy upon him. Christ heard his cry and responded. The people near him said, ‘Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.’ This was the most exciting news Bartimaeus could receive. The one Person Who could resolve his most important issue wanted to see him. He had reason to be of good cheer, to rise, and to go to Jesus. We have the same hope because we are dealing with the same Person. We have huge personal issues we want resolved. We have heard of Jesus. We believe He has done miraculously in the lives of others. We have an invitation from Him. ‘Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ In this sense, He has called us. No one else can do for us what He can do. Therefore, we have reason to be of good cheer, to rise, and to go to Him. It is the opportune moment for us. There is no one else like Him, nor anyone else who understand our deepest needs as He does. What is more wonderful is that instead of putting us off, or holding us at arms-length, He has called for us to come to Him with our needs. 

Our Gracious and Welcoming God, 
we rejoice that You know our needs. 
We praise You that You call us to come unto You, 
in order that You may meet those needs. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means 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! 

Mark 10:46-48 

Bartimaeus was a man who was seizing an opportunity. Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. Who knew if He would ever pass this way again? Bartimaeus had heard of Him. He realized this Man could do him good if anyone could. He had apparently some knowledge of Christ’s reputation. Therefore, at the opportune moment he cried out to get Christ’s attention. He called upon Him directly, loudly, and persistently. He was not about to let this opportunity go. As people around him tried to silence him, he responded by crying louder. This was the cry of a desperate soul for the ears of the Great Physician. Bartimaeus ignored the would-be silencers. We believe Christ can do us good. In the face of all the naysayers we cry out to Him to intervene in our life. Our needs are physical, mental, spiritual, and social. We have heard of Christ and believe He can do us good. Perhaps others would counsel us to be less vocal. They may even seek to silence us. We cannot allow them and their opinions to put us off seeking Him. This man had his opportunity and he made the most of it. We have our opportunity. Let us allow no person or opinion to keep us from crying out to the One Who can do us good.  

Our Kind and Gracious Savior, 
we rejoice that You give us every reason to seek You. 
We praise You that as we call unto You, 
You will answer us according to Your will. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning

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! 

Mark 10:47-48 

Christ developed a reputation in Israel. In a relatively short period of time, He became known far and wide. Jericho was not His home territory. When He came to Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, He was about to pass a blind man called Bartimaeus who was sitting beside the road begging. As our text relates, ‘when he heard it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Apparently, Christ’s reputation as a healer had preceded Him. The man had heard of Him and had hope that He could do him good. Thus, at the opportune moment, he cried out and continued loudly in spite of attempts to silence him. Christ was his only hope. We also have heard of Christ. Beginning at Moses, and all the prophets we have heard of His words and deeds from ancient days. We have the prophets, the apostles, and the great company of those who have testified of what Christ has done. His reputation has preceded Him. We have heard and believe that He can do us good. We have cried out with expressions of faith that He would have mercy upon us. If He has done good for others, why not us? On the basis of what you have heard, of Christ already, call to Him today to have mercy upon you as well.   

Our Gracious Master and our God, 
we rejoice that You do good to those that call upon You. 
We praise You that everything we have heard of You, 
gives us hope. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning