Jesus, Son of David- Have Mercy on Me.

Luke 18:35-43 and Mark 10:46-52 tell the story of Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus. The blind beggar was the son of a man whose name in Chaldean meant "highly prized," but in Hebrew, "to be unclean." So, he came from a prized person who was an idolater and became a beggar at the Jericho gate, desperate for salvation.

When Bartimaeus heard the voices around him announcing that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, without shame, he started crying out, "Jesus! Son of David, have mercy on me!" It gives me goosebumps. Laying the shame of his situation aside, he yelled with honor, 'Son of David;' I acknowledge your greatness. The crowd sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he shouted even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

When was the last time you cried out to God for something you were desperate for? We tend to put God on our timeframe and get perturbed when He doesn't answer us the first time. When those around us sternly shame us to be quiet already, we might do just that and be resentful that He didn't come through for us. But not Bartimaeus. He cried out even louder, "Jesus... have mercy on me!"

Jesus calls him near, and Mark's version tells us that he threw off his cloak and sprang up to meet Jesus. He took off the old man and jumped toward the new. The cloak defined his status and declared his right to beg. Notice he removed it before he had been healed. He believed. He sprang up in confidence of what was coming.

One of my favorite things Jesus said was, "I am willing." That line gets me every single time. But this one is equally as powerful. When He speaks to Bartimaeus, He asks, "What do you want me to do for you?" Oh, sweet lover of my soul. Thank You for asking.

"Lord, let me see again." I've been so blind, and I'm broken with nothing as a result. Restore life and ability to me.

Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has saved you." Hallelujah. Go on, Jesus!

But here is, in my humble opinion, the best part... "Immediately he regained his sight and FOLLOWED HIM, GLORIFYING GOD; and all the people, when they saw it, PRAISED GOD."

Now, come on. This is the cry of my heart! This is why I cry out, "Jesus! Son of David! Have mercy on me!" I long to be used. To have the cah-cah of my life and the lessons I've learned as a result glorify Him as I follow Him...so that... when people see it... they praise God.

That's it. It's so simple.

I refuse to wear that dirty cloak one minute longer. I want to shout from the rooftops that He has healed me! What good is it to be so far from sickness and walk in wellness if not to glorify Him and bring others to wellness when they see it? That they would praise God!

Lord, I praise You. Glorify Thy name! Glorify Thy name! Grant others the same emphasis on integrity that You have given me, and grant us the honor of following You, causing others to come to restoration and life as we do!! We come to You with the expectation of ripple effects. We praise You and thank You in advance! Amen.