And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. - Mar 10:49-50
The more I reflect on this seemingly insignificant passage in Mark's narrative, the more implications I see and the more challenged I become. After you read the passage (Mk 10:46-52), I would ask you the prayerfully consider the following:
It is always Jesus who calls. Sure, Bartimaeus was calling at the road side, but until Jesus said "call him" nothing changed in Bartimaeus' life.
It is right and good to call out to Jesus. Bartimaeus was calling out to Jesus to the point of annoying the disciples. In God's timing and providence, we may need to appear annoying to others as we seek out Jesus. We may need to be the persistent widow. But God does reward those who earnestly seek him.
There is an honor associated with Jesus calling us. I've lost sight of this. I'm too American, I guess, and think salvation and God's favor, grace and mercy are mine by right. They are not. So when Jesus calls us, it is an immense honor, privilege and it really, truly is a gift that is undeserved.
There is an unfettered joy (dare I say glee) in being called by Jesus. It is not just a religious transaction. It is not just a check box on a to do list. There is a joy in receiving something beyond expectation or imagination or deservedness. I've forgotten the immensity of my prior lostness. I've shrunk (in my mind) the gulf that had separated me and God. I've watered down the blackness of my sin. And yet Jesus' says of me: "call him"
I think one could find more here, but I need to stop and repent. Too often my approach to Jesus is much more like the the disciples (look back a few verses in Mk 10) than it is like Bartimaeus'. Perhaps today the Holy Spirit can open my eyes more fully to the powerful call of Jesus, to the need to be continually seeking after Christ, to the incredible honor of being called by Jesus all driving me to joyfully spring up and come to Jesus, my Lord and King.
To God Alone be the Glory
