By Mike Seale

Mark 10:46-52 It took courage for blind Bartimaeus to shout, “Son of David, have mercy on me,” especially when people in the crowd rebuked him and told him to be quiet. The rebuke fueled his passion because he “shouted all the more.” Jesus must have appreciated that desire because he responded and said, “Call him.”

It is interesting how the crowd changed, instead of telling him to shut up, they said “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Here is a good point to remember: Jesus does not feel or act like other people do toward us. He was not inconvenienced and most likely was moved by the call for mercy.

You’ve got to love Bartimaeus’s response, “Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.” It was immediate!

Too often when we hear Jesus calling us through a message, or a song, or perhaps something leaps up off a page of Scripture and grabs us, we delay coming to Christ. Sometimes we think we have to get rid of a habit, heal our brokenness before we come to Him. Delay happens if I think I’m too messed up and unlovable. So we don’t act in the moment of His calling our name.

The Challenge today, if you know what you want, then ask for mercy. Then listen and hear Jesus calling your name. He knows his sheep by name (John 10:3).

Blind Bartimaeus could not see, but he could hear. Your plea for mercy is heard by Jesus who responds. He will even plead your case before the Father. Be blessed today as you seek Him and as you hear Jesus calling your name. Do you know what you want?