September 16, 1984
Do you ever feel trapped in loneliness? Alistair Begg reminds us that few people today would admit this need. In the time of Jesus, however, the blind man Bartimaeus desperately shared his longing not only for healed sight but also for renewed connection with others. In response, a large and fickle crowd rebuked him. They treated Jesus like a distant celebrity. Jesus, however, had a far different response, restoring Bartimaeus’s relationships with other people—and with God.
46xAnd they came to Jericho. And yas he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, za blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47And when he heard that it was aJesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48And many brebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, c“Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50And throwing off his dcloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51And Jesus said to him, e“What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, f“Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; gyour faith has hmade you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
Copyright © 2024, Alistair Begg. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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