Luther Seminary

A daily devotion brought to you by the alumni of Luther Seminary

Archives for December 8, 2001

Saturday, December 8, 2001

Mark 10:46-50 (NRSV)

Read Mark 10:46-50 on biblegateway.com

Verse 46They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. Verse 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Verse 48Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Verse 49Jesus stood still and said, "Call him here." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you." Verse 50So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.

Devotion

The singular thing about Bartimaeus is not his call to Jesus for sight. It was his persistence when many sternly ordered him to be quiet. How indescribably rich this season would be if followers of Jesus would persist in singing his praise, desist silence and bear noisy witness instead, and insist on seeking and giving mercy. In the deepest sense, though, it is not our activity but God’s grace, which restores sight and gives health. That’s amazing!

Prayer

Amazing God, how great you are; you’ve saved a wretch like me. I once was blind, but now I see; was lost, but now set free. Amen.