A Reckless Need for Jesus

One of my favorite encounters in the New Testament is that of blind Bartimaeus and Jesus: 

“Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’  Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’  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.”  Mark 10:46-52 

I think the thing about this account that stands out the most, at least to me, is Bartimaeus’ reckless need for Jesus.  It is palpable.  His intense and desperate yearning and longing for just a touch from Jesus…  Though the people around him rebuked him and tried to shut him up, his cry only intensified.   In fact, scripture records that Bartimaeus “shouted all the more”   …All the more he calls out.  Nothing could deter him.  Not the crowd, not his condition, not “naysayers”…nothing.  This shakes me to the core and persuades my soul that this must be so, that we must likewise be willing to reach for Jesus and let nothing discourage us from seeking Him with all that is within us.  Oh, that we might have that same urgent, fervent cry in our souls; that we would cry all the more for Jesus!  

Today, reach for Him.  If there is anything that has been dampening your need or desperation for Jesus, cry out all the more, and as with Bartimaeus, Jesus will answer that cry. 

 –Katie Botello