I have heard good people say “I don't get much out of reading the Bible.” This kind of statement breaks my heart. Without the Word in a persons life, there may be activity and there may be visible gifted living, BUT life without the Word will be ... void of lasting truth, eternal connection, and may be in danger of eternal separation from the God who made us. The conundrum - Are you in the way?
In the way! He couldn't see. He spent his days learning in darkness. He truly had no personal name because of his blindness. His blindness had disconnected him from the full movement of life. Life as the “sighted” knew it, was beyond his reach insomuch that he was just known as the blind son of another. The father's name that he was associated with left anyone knowing the language of the day wondering... Son of “Highly Prized” or Son of “Most Defiled”... But what is his name? Oh it doesn't matter, just another blind man in the way! (It mattered to God because this man with the conundrum of a name would soon be intimately associated with Jesus.)Mark 10:46 – “And they came to Jericho (place of fragrance): and as He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.”
Blind Bartimaeus' moment with Jesus in Mark 10 unveils in his story the spiritual reality of the crossroad or the defining moment that we all will and must face. Our very existence (because it carries both the potential delight of a treasured blessing and/or the burden of a grotesque curse) depends on our response to the Savior in that moment. When Jesus enters the landscape of our lives, light begins to shine on the lost-ness of our “life without Him”, and when we cry out, He will be there ...in the way.
Let's follow the progression in Mark 10:46-52 – 1. Begging - his existence vs.46; 2. Sensing Hope is near, he cries out of his existence - “Jesus of Nazareth – have mercy on me!” vs.47; 3. Resisting the “Shut up!” of many, he cries louder using the Word of Prophecy - “Son of David, have mercy on me!” vs. 48; 4. Jesus responds to the heart cry from the Word and the intimate connection is orchestrated – - “And 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.” vs. 49; 5. He throws away his beggar's garment and comes to Jesus (no turning back) vs. 50; 6. At the imploring of Jesus, he requests the restoration of his lost sight – “Lord, that I might receive my sight, (if but for a moment).” vs 51; 7. Jesus declares that his faith, though broken and momentary, has made him whole. Note: at this point he had the choice to “Go thy way!”... His choice, “and he followed Jesus in the way.” vs. 52.
Special question for our hearts' discussion: What do you think happened to the “name conundrum” that this man carried to Jesus - Son of “Highly Prized” or “Most Defiled”? Could he have been given a NEW NAME?
Although the story ended at verse 52 … It should be our story, daily, “and we followed Jesus (with intense desire to know Him) in the way". Although while following Jesus in the way, we may get in the way of others, let's position ourselves to be calling ...“Be of good comfort, Jesus is calling you!”
Study scripture(The Bible), believing it is the Word of God. With this perspective we will find that it is a spiritual treasure trove, a “life quickening”hope chest, and a love feast for the heart that will truly allow us to know The Lover of the Soul. When we open the pages and fasten our eyes to the words before us, know that God has prepared a sustaining wellspring that constantly challenges and changes our perspective of the depth of His love for us.
In the Way?
HLFA,
Jeff