Mark 10:46-5246And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimeus, the son of Timeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 48And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 49And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 51And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. (Mark 10:46‑52)
“AND AS He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus... sat by the highway side being. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal.”
Jericho in Scripture is always a type of the world, for it was a wicked city and one that had a curse on it since the days of Joshua (Josh. 6: 26). This poor world in which we live today has a curse on it, too — the curse of sin that came through Adam’s disobedience. “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Romans 5:1212Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12). Just as Jesus entered into (and passed through) Jericho, so He has entered and passed through this world, offering His life and taking upon Himself the curse of sin for all who will accept Him in their hearts.
One of the results of sin is the miry and hopelessness of so many who, like blind Bartimaeus, find life almost unbearable and have no hope for their future. The worst misery of all is the awareness of being overtaken by sin; and the best efforts to improve and overcome the sin problem only resulting in repeated failure and an increasing sense of guilt and distance from a holy God. But wait! Is there hope of deliverance from sin, too? Yes, indeed. But it can only be through the same One to whom Bartimaeus turned — the Saviour of sinners. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by he immediately acted on his conviction — aware that if he did not do so at once he would probably never again have the opportunity; the only One who could do him good would be soon beyond his cries and never return. Therefore from his place in the gutter he boldly cried for mercy and, though some tried to hush him, he cried all the more, “Have mercy on me.” Our gracious Saviour would not turn a deaf ear to such a cry and bids him come to Him. How gladly did the beggar leave his wretched place and garment and come for the blessing that resulted in receiving his sight!
Reader, are you burdened with the guilt of your sins and a conscience ever reminding you that you are a sinner away from God? He invites you to turn to the One who can bring you peace and happiness when you, in faith, see Him bearing your sins on Calvary’s cross. Bartimaeus did not try to improve his condition, but came “just as he was.” This, too, is the way you must come — owning your entire helplessness — putting aside the filthy garment of good works in which you have so vainly tried to cover your true condition leaving behind all that would hinder or attach you to your present lost condition — and accepting His mercy. You have perhaps joined with others in singing that familiar hymn:
“Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee —
Oh, Lamb of God, I come.”
May this be the true expression of your heart.
“The blind man said unto Him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.” Surely those newly opened eyes gazed in love and thankfulness on Him who had opened them and this too is the delight of all whose eyes are opened from spiritual darkness and brought into His marvelous light.
ML-01/05/1964