Jesus the Servant

Mark 10: 46-52 ⁴⁶ 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. ⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁸ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁹ Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” ⁵⁰ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

⁵¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

⁵² “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

They had been in Galilee and were headed to Jerusalem, so they were going through Jericho. Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, is listed by name, which is unusual in the stories of Jesus’ miracles. But we know his name because he later becomes a leader in the church. He went from being a beggar to a church leader because he humbled himself and called out to Jesus.

He called out for mercy and Jesus stopped. By the world’s standards he was worthless. But Jesus will in no way cast out the person who comes to Him in humble need. Jesus was the servant: “What do you want me to do for you?” (The same thing He said to the disciples in the previous passage.)

Jesus will save us at our point of need if we recognize it and give it to Him. Ask for His help with our short comings. When we let Him in we become free and “therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.”

Jesus tells him that his faith has healed him. Jesus died to save everyone, but not everyone is saved. It’s our faith that makes the difference.

Recognize your need. Call on the One who can help. And have faith.

How Can I Encourage Others?

A way we hurt people is to be too busy. Too busy to drop that note of comfort or encouragement or assurance of love. Too busy when someone needs to talk. Too busy to simply care.

A true servant of God is someone who helps another succeed. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” (1 Thess. 5:11) You can never speak a fine word too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.

Rather than give personal advice, how much better would it be for Christians to share God’s loving promises.

We should learn all we can from our personal problems, so that we can fulfill a ministry of comfort, just as Jesus did. We are surrounded by hurting people. We should be approachable and available.

“But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called today.” Hebrews 3:13