Have Mercy on Me
(Mk. 10:46-52)

Our life is filled with various encounters with others. We met our parents when we were born and we met friends, spouse and children as time passes. The most important encounter is to meet Jesus personally. Encountering Jesus in person turns our life from desperation despair into absolute hope.

1. Bartimaeus, a blind bagger
When Jesus and disciples got to Jericho, they saw a blind man, Bartimaeus. He could not see anything so he needed to be helped by others and begged for his living. He lost his hope and he was in despair. His life symbolizes a life of people, who are spiritually blind, living in the distress of sins. People beg for living as they are spiritually blind. Jesus comes to heal the blind and makes them live abundant a life, which needs not to beg. (2Cor. 8:9)

2. Bartimaeus desperately shouting to Jesus
Whenever Bartimaeus heard the name of Jesus who heal the sick, he must have had the strong belief that Jesus could heal him. One day, he heard the news that Jesus passed near him. He began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more. Likewise, we should cry out to be healed and to have answers of God. Sometimes, surrounding people rebuke or accuse us of making noises. However, we should not lose our passion for seeking out the help of Jesus. We should seek for Jesus and cry out all the more over and over again.

3. Jesus calling Baritimaeus
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man. (Mk. 10:49) Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Jesus said to him that his faith has healed him. Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. The faith brings about miracles. By encountering Jesus, we will not be spiritually blind any more, we can live a victorious life thought the fullness of the Holy Spirit.