Seeking Help

How many times have you passed by someone in need and not helped them?

They 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. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. - Mark 10:46-52

You could say the blind beggar was in the right place at the right time.  But he seemed to know something that many who had sight failed to see.  He knew who Jesus was and what he was capable of doing.

So, he took advantage of the moment when Jesus passed by to call out to him.

Others told him to be quiet, but not Jesus.  Jesus called for the man to come to him.

The blind man had both faith and courage.  He ran to Jesus and called him a teacher, acknowledging all that he knew about him.  He was not ashamed nor afraid to be singled out.

Would we do that? Would we want others to see us beg for help?

Chances are we would choose to miss the opportunity, not wanting to be told to be quiet, not wanting to make a scene.

Sometimes, we need to put aside our egos and seek help.

Yes, some will tell us to be quiet. And some will rebuke us, but why would we miss the opportunity?

Where does our courage come from to stand up and run for help?  For the blind man, it was his faith.  Maybe it can be the same for us.

More to come...