Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me

The example of blind Bartimaeus.

Mark 10: 46-52

And they came to Jericho: and as Jesus went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Jesus son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying to him, Be of good comfort, rise; He calls you. And Bartimaeus, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What do you want Me to do for you? The blind man said unto Jesus, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said to him, Go your way; your faith has made you whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

We see blind Bartimaeus sitting and begging by the road side, then He heard Jesus was passing. He stopped begging and turned his attention to Jesus. He cried out to Jesus: "Jesus, son of David, hve mercy on me" He must have been nagging a bit (as the people tried to stop him). Seemingly Jesus did not immediately respond (not that Jesus did no hear him, but Jesus was checking his desperation). But Bartimaeus was not te be stopped, he cried out even more (perhaps even louder): "Jesus son of David, have mercy on me!" Question: "How desperate are you?" Then Jesus stood still. This is the turning point (when Jesus is standing still and considering your request)! Jesus then commanded that Bartimaeus be called!

What was Bartimaeus response? "And Bartimaeus, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus." Notice that he respondd immediately. He even goes so far as to frow away his garment (remember that they whore long garments at the time). Why did he do this? He was making sure that nothing was going to hinder him (the possibility that he might stumble as he rush to Jesus). Question: "what is the hindrances that hold you back? Throw it away in Jesus' name!"

Then Jesus asks him: "What do you want Me to do for you?" Question: "What is it you want Jesus to do for you? Tell Jesus!"

We see the response of Jesus: "And Jesus said to him, Go your way; your faith has made you whole." Question: "Do you have faith? Then use it and reach out to Jesus!"

BUT, what if my faith is not strong enough? What if there is doubt?

The example of the father with the son with "epileptic fits".

Mark 9: 14-27

And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?” Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.” He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.

What an amazing account! This man brought his son to Jesus disciples to be helped. However, they stuggled as their faith was not strong enough to deal with the situation. As a result the father become frustrated and started to argue with the disciples. Question: "Have you had such an experience in life? Be of good cheer, it is not the end!"

Then Jesus arrive! This is the key, the turning point! Question: "Has Jesus arrived on the scene for you?"

Jesus then ask the man what is happening and the father tells the story. In desperation the father then reaches out to Jesus: "But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." IMPORTANT: Notice the difference here: Where Bartimaeus cried out that he might receive his sight, the farher here cries out "if you can". See the difference?! Bartimaeus had faith and no doubt, but the father has faith with lots of doubt (if you can). However, his doubt did not stop him! No! He still reached out to Jesus! Question: "Is doubt, fear and unbelief stopping you? Do not allow it! Reach out to Jesus!"

Look at Jesus response! Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Here is the important lesson! The father did not argue the point (not even the fact that he did bring his son to be helped). No, he acknowledges what Jesus is saying. He realise that he has unbelief (he does not try and justify it). No! Instead he reaches out to Jesus! "Question: "Do you try and justify yuor situation? Do not do it! Acknowledge where you are and reach out to Jesus!"

Conclusion

Whatever your situation (either you have faith like Bartimaeus or, you have faith together with unbelief like the father here above), Jesus is there for you!

If you need to attach your faith with ours (Emmanuel Tabernacle Power) then send us you prayer request (go to prayer requests on the web page) or come and visit us or watch the online service (and send a prayer request there)

Remember

There is a solution for you, Jesus!