Warriors Arise: May 17, 2021
Mark 10:46-52 (NKJV) Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” 50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. 51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.
What a great day for blind Bartimaeus. He responded when he heard. He did not have to ask who this Jesus was. He did not need background information on this Jesus. When he heard, he began to cry out. He couldn't see. He didn't know where Jesus was. But he was not going to let Jesus pass by without hearing his name called. When the Scripture tells us that he began to cry out that means he yelled at the top of his lungs. Bartimaeus was going to make sure Jesus would hear him call his name.
Have you been so tired of the way life is that you have call out to Jesus?
Have to been desperate like Bartimaeus, a blind man who has heard Jesus heals everyone who asks?
Have you been looking for a way to get out of the hole you are in, free from the bondage you feel trapped in that you position yourself to be heard by Jesus?
The courage, the boldness of Bartimaeus is astounding. Read verse 48 again.
Mark 10:48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
The people tried to quiet Bartimaeus. They warned him. You know that warning did not come with just a hard look because Bartimaeus couldn't see the hard look. You know they probably pushed him, maybe even hit him. He wouldn't know who did it, because he couldn't see them. When we know someone can't see what we are doing, we tend to be a little more liberal in our actions, indulge in the deception, and steal more than was planned. Why? Because we think we are getting away with it. But their warning does not stop him from crying out. Matter-of-fact, he cries out all the more.
Bartimaeus was not going to let Jesus pass him by. It didn't matter what kind of a beating he got. He would not live with the regret of keeping quiet and remain in his demise any longer.
Then Jesus stopped. He stood still. What must the crowd have thought? He listened again. Then commanded the one calling His name to come. Now the crowd has a different tone toward Bartimaeus. Now they are nice to him. They don't want him to tell Jesus what they have done to him, how they have treated him. Just read and listen for how their tone changed.
Mark 10:49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”
Now, everyone is Bartimaeus' best friend, because Jesus has called for him to come. Bartimaeus could care less about these people who were abusing him before because he was going to get what he is hoping. His confidence is amazing. There is no question what he is expecting to happen when he is before Jesus. Why do I say this?
Mark 10:50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
The garment he threw off was the garment that gave him a right to collect money. It was government issued so he could sit on the road and beg. It was his license to do nothing, but he didn't want any part of that life any more. Who cares if he now had to go get a job at least he would have his sight. Along with his sight would be possibilities. Living by means of another's handout is no type of living. He had no intention of living that way again.
When Jesus asked him what he wanted, he could have responded, "Don't you know?" But he made his request. Of course Jesus knew. Jesus didn't ask because he didn't know. Jesus asked so the people around would know. He wasn't going to ask Jesus for a few coins like a begger never seeing an end to that type of life. Too many times we ask for coins when we need to be asking for our miracle. We need to ask the King of kings for what will truly change our lives.
Bartimaeus had a faith that even the seeing couldn't see. Jesus asked so Bartimaeus what he wanted so he could make a request from the measure of faith he had been given. His asking revealed his level of faith. You might think I am being presumptuous. However, what does Jesus say healed Bartimaeus?
Mark 10:52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.
Father, there are times in my life when I have called out to You and people have told me to be quiet. They didn't understand the cry of my heart, my desire to have You touch me, speak over me, and work a miracle in my life. There are times I didn't stop calling out to You. Their jabs and glares caused me to retract and I became silent. I stopped praying for what I needed. I had all kinds of faith to pray for others and they would let me pray for others. I ak for you to forgive me. I know now the value You have placed on my life. I do not need others to give me permission to seek You, to call to You, nor to make my request known. I will position myself to listen for Your coming. I will stand and call out to You. I will make my request known for Your love does not fall short. Your love cause you to stop, listen for my call and tells me to come into Your presence. I will come to You and make my request known for You are my God and there is no other in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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