Word@Work 124 - Mark 10:49-52
Published: Thu, 05/15/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 10:49-52 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (NIV)
Jesus never dismisses a call for mercy. It was why He came! So despite the rude insults of the crowd, to silence the blind man, they changed their tune when Jesus ordered that Bartimaeus be brought to Him. They even told him to cheer up! Knowing that Jesus had personally called him, he rushed to meet Him. The Master's question may have seemed strange, "What do you want me to do for you?" Had he not previously begged for mercy? But now, being accepted by Jesus, was that not mercy enough?
Having received mercy, he now wanted grace. (Mercy is the withholding of what we do deserve: grace is the gift of what we do not deserve.) Bartimaeus had deserved to be shunned and rejected - but mercy brought him close to the Saviour. He had no right to ask Jesus for healing, but at Jesus' invitation he dared to ask. And the request was granted; so of course he left everything (his begging bowl heaped with abuse) and followed the Lord.
In these days of 'social evangelism' where we are encouraged to absorb unrepentant sinners into our Christian community, it may seem strange to suggest that 'calling out to Jesus for mercy' is an essential ingredient for conversion. But it is. Perhaps we even minimise our friend's need or even applaud how well they are coping ... when Jesus longs that they cry for mercy. Mercy and grace are the divine part of the gospel package. Only God can grant them, and He will only grant them to those who know their need enough to ask for them.
Prayer: Father God. Thank you for the way your mercy and grace has changed my life. Help me not to minimise these stark gospel realities when talking to friends and colleagues. For Your dear Name's sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Jesus never dismisses a call for mercy. It was why He came! So despite the rude insults of the crowd, to silence the blind man, they changed their tune when Jesus ordered that Bartimaeus be brought to Him. They even told him to cheer up! Knowing that Jesus had personally called him, he rushed to meet Him. The Master's question may have seemed strange, "What do you want me to do for you?" Had he not previously begged for mercy? But now, being accepted by Jesus, was that not mercy enough?
Having received mercy, he now wanted grace. (Mercy is the withholding of what we do deserve: grace is the gift of what we do not deserve.) Bartimaeus had deserved to be shunned and rejected - but mercy brought him close to the Saviour. He had no right to ask Jesus for healing, but at Jesus' invitation he dared to ask. And the request was granted; so of course he left everything (his begging bowl heaped with abuse) and followed the Lord.
In these days of 'social evangelism' where we are encouraged to absorb unrepentant sinners into our Christian community, it may seem strange to suggest that 'calling out to Jesus for mercy' is an essential ingredient for conversion. But it is. Perhaps we even minimise our friend's need or even applaud how well they are coping ... when Jesus longs that they cry for mercy. Mercy and grace are the divine part of the gospel package. Only God can grant them, and He will only grant them to those who know their need enough to ask for them.
Prayer: Father God. Thank you for the way your mercy and grace has changed my life. Help me not to minimise these stark gospel realities when talking to friends and colleagues. For Your dear Name's sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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