When "they" say SHUT UP, I will shout louder...

Have you ever read about my friend "BART" in Mark 10?  How I want to be like blind "Bart"!  Here is his story:

⁴⁶ Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. ⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
I love that he SHOUTED. He is not afraid to cry out to Jesus. Listen to what happens next...

⁴⁸ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
 
Isn't that always the way? Someone is always there to tell us to be quiet....don't bother Jesus....He is too busy.....He isn't concerned with our "little problems."

⁴⁹ Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

Jesus STOPPED.....stopped what He was doing....stopped where He was going.
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” ⁵⁰ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
⁵¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
Don't you love that? Jesus asks each of us, "What do you want Me to do for YOU?"

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 

That is the cry of my heart- Jesus, I want to SEE. Give me eyes to see You. Give me spiritual eyes. Like the words to "Amazing Grace," I was blind, but now I see." Look what happens next.

⁵² “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. 

Notice that the man's FAITH healed him. Lord, may I have faith like that! And, what does he do next?

He FOLLOWS Jesus.

May I always follow You, Jesus. May I always follow You.

Father, thank You that You are ever ready to heal me....all I have to do is ask. May I always seek hard after you, no matter who or how many are telling me to "shut up." May I be like the man and SHOUT LOUDER! Lord, may I have that kind of faith! Lord, thank You for Your compassion. Thank You that You open wide my eyes to see You. Thank You that, although I was blind, now I see. Thank You, Jesus. Praise You.