And Jesus stopped…

Luke 18:40 ESV

Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. He was on a mission from his Father. His was the most pressing and important business in human history. Timing was critical. If you or I had been given such a mission from God, we would not have stopped.

The large, central portion of Luke’s Gospel is called the Journey Narrative. It begins in chapter 9 in Galilee where Luke tells us “he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” But he did not go as the crow flies. His path took him through Samaria and eventually south to Jericho. By Luke chapter 18 He was on the last leg of his Journey to Jerusalem. And all along the way he had told his disciples that he was going there to die. They did not get it.

On the outskirts of Jericho, he was followed by a “great crowd.” And suddenly a voice rang out from the side of the road. Mark tells us the voice’s owner: Bartimaeus. And many in the crowd yelled back, “Shut up!” But he cried out even more, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

At that point Jesus could have continued walking. We probably would have walked on if we were on a mission as pressing and important as his. But thank God Jesus is not like us!

Jesus stopped. These are among the most important words in the Gospels! And these words are Good News for you and me. There was a crowd between Jesus and Bartimaeus, all hostile to his plea. But Jesus said, “Call him.” And Bartimaeus sprang up and came to Jesus. Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And Bartimaeus replied, “Master, let me recover my sight.” Jesus said, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

Here is the lesson for us: if we cry out to Jesus for mercy, the Lord of all Creation will stop. He will stop and listen and act. He loves you and he loves me that much! What an astounding thought!

And did you notice Bartimaeus’ little disobedience. Jesus told him to go his way. Instead, he immediately followed Jesus on the way. He whose former occupation was begging was delivered. His new occupation was following Christ.

Never give up hope! Call out to Jesus from the side of whatever road you find yourself. If you cry out to him in your blindness and poverty for mercy, he will stop. He will hear. He will speak kind words. And he will heal you and set you free to follow him.

Image credit: Lawrence OP, license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/, not modified