YES, I remember it quite well, dears! We were on the sands at L., and my brother took part with others in holding some Children’s Meetings. He spoke about Bartimaeus, who sat by the wayside begging, and showed what a wonderful thing, what an undeserved favor, it was for Christ to call the poor blind man. And so it is with us. We do not in any way deserve that He should love us.
Afterwards another speaker gave a short address, and said that he thought the grandest thing was that Jesus stood still. Yes, graciously waited for Bartimaeus to come near, after having commanded that the poor blind one should be brought to Him. How wonderful for the Son of God, the Lord of Glory, to stand still, commanding Bartimaeus to be brought to Him; for Jesus had divine authority and power.
And Jesus is waiting for you. Will you not come? Do not think you are too young. “Suffer little children to come unto Me,” are His own words. O! there is no love like His. Just think—He loves you.
If we love and honor our father and our mother, we are pleased to obey them, and to come when they call. How much more quickly ought we to come when the great Saviour calls! Bartimaeus did not say, “I will not come.” Why? Because he was anxious to be able to see. His eyes were no good to him if he could not use them. And I want you too, dear children, to be anxious about your souls, which only Jesus can save.
Did the Lord Jesus refuse the blind beggar’s request? No, it would not be like Him to turn anyone away. His words were:
“Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37). So you are invited to come. ‘Do not refuse this loving welcome. When Bartimaeus got his request, did he go away and say,
“I have my sight; I am satisfied now”?
No; he just followed Jesus in the way. And that is what Jesus wishes you to do: “Follow Me.”
(See 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); John 21:1919This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. (John 21:19).)
ML 01/29/1933