“The Call of Compassion” – MARK 10:46-52

No doubt the excitement was high when Jesus of Nazareth came to Jericho (10:46-47), as the “large multitude” attests. Each one had a reason for going to see Him. Perhaps some just wanted a glimpse, while others needed a miracle. Maybe others wanted to learn from His wisdom, yet others wanted to catch Him in His words. There may have even been some who were just there because a crowd gathered. As the throng moved out of the city, it passed a blind beggar … and ignored him.

Bartimeus did not come to the crowd, the crowd came to him.

Then he overheard someone say it was Jesus of Nazareth. When he received the healing miracle that gave him his sight (10:51-52), Jesus commended his faith (10:52a) as the force of the healing. What faith? The crowd was calling Him “Jesus of Nazareth”, and Bartimeus called out to “Jesus, Son of David” (10:47) in an acknowledgment of His kingship. He persisted and used the title a second time (10:48), knowing it was the truth. When Jesus asked what he needed, he called Jesus “Master” (10:51), acknowledging His lordship. He was so bold as to ask for the “impossible”.

Folks, this is the essence of faith in Christ Jesus!

Upon receiving the gift of impossibility, his eyesight, Bartimeus followed Jesus.

In the midst of this glorious event, we find reason to pause for reflection. Why have YOU “come to Jesus?” Just like the Jericho crowd, each of us has our own story and our own reason. Still today, however, there are folks in the “Jesus crowd” that never reach the point of faith of blind Bartimeus. As the Word of God (John 1:1), Jesus the Teacher must be heard, or else He will forever be “merely” Jesus of Nazareth. As the divine King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15) we must accept Him as the Son of David and our Master.

Whatever our story, the forgiveness of sins is our greatest need; granted when the Father adds us to the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13-14, Acts 2:47) and continued as we walk faithfully after our Lord (1 John 1:7).

The other facet upon which we should reflect is our compassion for others. The Jericho crowd was so wrapped up in their own personal reason for being there that they managed to ignore a blind beggar sitting on the roadside. He called out in desperation (10:47). The response of many of the multitude was to tell him to be quiet (10:48).

Stop and think.

Yes, we are called to a personal relationship with Christ. As we strive for closeness with Him, may we never allow our need for Jesus to blind us to the needs of others for His mercy.