When blind Bartimaeus came into contact with Jesus Christ he immediately discarded the cloak that identified him as a beggar (read Mark 10:46-52). In those days begging was prevalent and those that begged were required to wear special garments so that there was no mistaking who they were, their social status. Being a beggar placed you on the bottom rung of the social ladder, being a blind beggar placed you under that ladder – you did not even have the privilege of being on the ladder.
Bartimaeus’ blindness and his position of
poverty are symbolized as one single piece of fabric, the fabric of his
circumstances in life. But it’s clear that Bartimaeus longed to see a change in
his circumstances, and hearing that Jesus was about to be right where he was,
gave him the impetus to act and so, he cried out to Jesus.
His story, like so many others, has not
been placed in the Bible for our entertainment, those stories have been
recounted as examples for us to follow. They’re there to teach us lessons as we
journey through this life. We can all relate to Bartimaeus in some way. How?
Let’s take a look.
Like most of us, Bartimaeus, must have
heard the good news of Jesus. Reading Mark 10:46-52 it’s apparent that he felt
that Jesus was his way out of a life of poverty and blindness. The way in which
he cried out proves that Bartimaeus had a gut feeling that it was only through Jesus
that he would ever be able to see a new spiritual, social and material reality.
Disgusted by his public display, those of a better social standing tried to
silence him in their attempts to keep Bartimaeus blind, poor, and invisible.
How many times in your quest for a change
in circumstances have the naysayers in your life voiced their disapproval?
How many times have people tried to deter
you from seeking a new way of life?
How many times have persons tried to stop
you from expressing your exuberance upon encountering Jesus, or decry your
unrelenting conviction?
It’s time to ignore the hindrances being
laid in your path and like Bartimaeus, the more they hush you, the more you
call out to Jesus.
So loud was his call that it caused Jesus
to stop and listen. Blind and poor, Bartimaeus decided that he’ll no longer be
enrobed in anything that qualified his dependency. The beggar became the
chooser, tossing away the filthy rags of self-righteousness (Isaiah 64:6) in
exchange for the riches that are found in the righteousness of God in Christ
Jesus.
We are all like Bartimaeus, you and I, poor
blind beggars wrapped in filthy rags of self-righteousness, easily identified
by angels and demons alike. We all have a choice to make. Do we want to remain
in these old, dirty, smelly garments, or do we want the change of clothes that
has been offered to us – the new garment, the righteousness that only Jesus
Christ can give? (see Matthew 22:11-14; Revelation 19:7-8)
Casting aside your filthy rags is an act of
faith which says that you want to see your life changed from rags to riches. It
says that you are ready to leave behind the old way of life and enter into the
Kingdom of God where you’ll be a beggar no more. This God-made garment has
already been given through Jesus, when He chose to give up the glory, the
beauty and the magnificence of heaven to become human in every way and to
suffer a cruel crucifixion so that you might become rich in every aspect of
your life, spiritually and physically.
Jesus suffered the worst the world has to
offer so that through Him you do not have to. His poverty has made you rich (2
Corinthians 8:9) – not in a worldly way, which is fickle, but it’s much more
than that, indeed far greater than material wealth. It’s something that money
can never buy…it is your Salvation.
There is nothing more valuable than your
Salvation. To first receive Jesus Christ as Saviour, then to establish an
intimate relationship with Him, where God reigns supreme in your life, is a
mark of true riches.
Salvation involves everything God will do
for, through, with, in, and to you, as He brings you into the fullness of life.
Salvation brings you into God’s Kingdom,
moving you from a life of blindness and poverty to a life of spiritual sight
and the “unfathomable riches of Christ” (Ephesians
3:8).
Bartimaeus wanted more out of life, made a
decision, persisted despite hindrances and Jesus saved him and surely He will
save you too beloved. So, “Take hope! Stand up, He is calling for you!” (Mark 10:49); throw off your beggar’s robe, accept Jesus
as your personal Saviour and you will be instantaneously enriched with every
spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) making you a beggar no more.
Amen†
Shelley Johnson “Beggars No More” © 2016 revisited June 20, 2025
No comments:
Post a Comment