Mark 10:46-49
As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.”
Have you ever found yourself raising your voice when talking with someone who is blind? It’s embarrassing for everyone involved when we notice. It’s like we think that we can get our message across better.
Bartimaeus is blind. and HE is yelling. He shows no restraint or embarrassment. He has nothing to lose. he is yelling just outside the walls of Jericho! I recently read a comment that said “The last time someone shouted outside of Jericho, the walls fell down.”
Bartimaeus has nothing to lose though! He is both blind AND a beggar. Everyone else has ignored him. So when Jesus stops and calls for him, his life changes. Jesus sees him and hears him. The walls around him are about to fall down! Neither Jesus nor Bartimaeus were concerned with what others thought about him or how they wanted him to be quiet and stay in his place.
Take heart; get up, he is calling you!