"And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus"
The story of blind Bartimaeus has always intrigued and encouraged me. It touches my heart. Here we have a man who is blind, who sits by the highway, begging. Those who had to resort to asking for money or panhandling, as we would call it today, were considered by the general public to be outcasts. Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was coming, and as He approached, Bartimaeus began to cry out to Him...but as He did so, the crowds tried to silence him.
It makes me think of the times in my life when I've done some of my own "crying out" . One of those times, as I was worshipping The Lord, and pouring out my heart and my love..believing that He was actually directing this in my life...someone tried to silence me. This became one of those times when I had to make a decision...do I push ahead with what I believe God spoke to me...or do I allow the voice of the naysayer to stop me right in my tracks? I love what Bartimaeus did. He cried out the more! As he cried, Jesus heard him.
Beloved, Jesus hears you. He hears your prayers. He hears it when you cry out. Don't give up!!! Push through! Press on! There was a great crowd surrounding Jesus that day..and therefore Bartimaeus as well...but whatever the crowd may be saying to you...stand on what you believe...and cry out the more!
Jesus stopped what He was doing. He stood still and called for Bartimaeus. At this point the crowd changed their tune. Now they spoke kindly to Bartimaeus and told him to be of good comfort, that the Master was calling him. Sometimes others don't see right away that God is doing something in your life...they haven't heard what you've heard in your heart when He has spoken to you. Again, this is the time to plant yourself firmly on what you believe and Who you are believing! Jesus is living IN you, and when you call on Him, He hears. He stops. He cares.
During the time that this story took place, it was customary for people to wear garments that identified who they were in life. If you were a blind beggar, people would know you by your garment. I love what Bartimaeus did with his garment when Jesus called him. He cast it away! Then he rose, and came to Jesus! This is so significant. This was a step of faith...this was a man acting on what he believed..and WHO he believed in. This was a man thinking that he may be blind now..but he has just come in contact with the One who heals. This was a man casting off that old identity, and coming to Christ to be made whole!
Beloved, when we have come to Christ, the Bible tells us that we have been made new! The old man is dead. All things have become new. The garment that a believer wears is a garment of righteousness! Jesus has become your identity! We can throw aside every hindrance. We can lay aside every weight. We can cast away the garment of our own sufficiency! And we come to Jesus...where we receive wholeness, strength, peace, eternal life, pardon. Today, cast off whatever hindrances may have held you back. Rise up! Run to Jesus! He will hear you..and He delights in answering!