These chapters are filled with so much that it was hard to decide which touched my heart the most. The disciples, always full of questions after the Pharisees got through grilling Jesus, wanted to know more about his answer on divorce. Jesus explained that God's intent in marriage was for "oneness" - a permanent marriage. Be determined to stay together - what God has joined together . . .
Again we see Jesus being criticized for wanting to be with the "wrong people," although this time it was the children. Can't you just see him smile when his lap was full of these little ones? Don't you just know that they flocked to him feeling his love and acceptance and probably laughter? Children can feel acceptance and trust from a person without words, and I'm sure that is what they felt from Jesus immediately.
The rich young ruler, the first shall be last, the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the cleansing of the Temple, the teaching on prayer to the disciples, and the challenge of Jesus' authority when asked by the religious leaders about John the Baptist - each verse and each teaching has many facets and many thoughts we could camp on.
But for some reason, what moved me most when reading these chapters were the words Bartimaeus began to cry out to Jesus. A blind beggar. Blind - not able to see his family, the beauty of the world, not able to hold a job, living in poverty, dependant on other people for food and clothing. In that time and place, if you had a physical disability, you were not able to work and usually were forced to beg.
Again we see Jesus being criticized for wanting to be with the "wrong people," although this time it was the children. Can't you just see him smile when his lap was full of these little ones? Don't you just know that they flocked to him feeling his love and acceptance and probably laughter? Children can feel acceptance and trust from a person without words, and I'm sure that is what they felt from Jesus immediately.
The rich young ruler, the first shall be last, the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the cleansing of the Temple, the teaching on prayer to the disciples, and the challenge of Jesus' authority when asked by the religious leaders about John the Baptist - each verse and each teaching has many facets and many thoughts we could camp on.
But for some reason, what moved me most when reading these chapters were the words Bartimaeus began to cry out to Jesus. A blind beggar. Blind - not able to see his family, the beauty of the world, not able to hold a job, living in poverty, dependant on other people for food and clothing. In that time and place, if you had a physical disability, you were not able to work and usually were forced to beg.
But Bartimaeus saw with different eyes. He called Jesus the "Son of David" because he knew that the Messiah would come as a descendant of King David. He recognized that Jesus was the Messiah, and his faith brought about his healing. After Jesus restored his sight, he threw aside his cloak - which meant he was ready for service, ready to follow Jesus. As the Holman Bible Handbook says, By following Jesus on the way to Jerusalem, Bartimaeus accepted the way of his suffering Lord. Finally Jesus had a disciple who saw.
When there was no hope, no help, nothing that showed the possibility of changing his life or lifestyle, he was willing to cry out to Jesus. I dare say that most of us reading this Blog have cried out to Jesus for forgiveness, salvation and redemption, but I wonder if we always cry out to Jesus for everything else. Do I depend on Him for my hope when things look bleak, when sickness I don't expect comes, or the sudden death of a loved one? In those really "big things" yes. But what about in the minute to minute of everyday living? When I deal with difficult people at my place of work, or crabby clerks in stores where I shop, or not enough money at the end of the month?
As Henry Nefeld says, I think about 90% (or more) of God's answers to our prayers do not involve performing a physical miracle or changing someone else. It involves changing us and our perspective. In the daily grind of life, have I learned to cry out to Jesus?
Sorry, ladies, here comes another song . . .
There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are.
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus
