By Lindsay Urquhart

Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, had often heard about Jesus, the teacher-healer of Nazareth. Being blind, there were many things he missed, but he heard a lot more than most people. As usual, he sat today by the roadside in his regular begging spot. He listened to the babble of voices as the crowds gathered and stream of people shuffled along the main road of Jericho, on their way to Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover. Bartimaeus had heard that Jesus would be among the travellers and he had made up his mind that one way or another he was going to speak to this prophet.

 He soon judged by the conversation of those around him that Jesus was coming closer and called out “Jesus, son of David!” The by-standers corrected him. “Shush, blind man, who do you think you are?” But no-one was going to rob Bartimaeus of what might be the only chance in a lifetime to escape from his world of darkness. He could now hear the prophet speaking as he drew closer to where Bartimaeus sat. He called out again, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 One of the tour guides tried to silence him. “Quiet, man, can’t you hear that the Master’s busy teaching?” But Bartimaeus felt that he had every right as a Jew to appeal to this prophet of Israel. One thing about Bartimaeus, he could be persistent. He saw nothing with his eyes but his ears were good, so was his voice. Now he shouted more loudly, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy!”

And then the miracle began to happen. Jesus heard him, stopped his teaching and said to one of his disciples, “Call him”. The disciple pushed his way to where Bartimaeus was sitting and said, “On your feet, friend, He’s calling you!”

Now, we may forgive the disciples if they agreed with the crowd in trying to keep Bartimaeus quiet. Their Master was a busy man and had a tight schedule to keep. Here’s this useless blind man interrupting things and getting in the way of the real program. Only later did they understand what discipleship was all about when you were following such a master as Jesus.

Just as well that Bartimaeus was so hard to discourage. That’s the really good thing about this blind man. He didn’t give up. Persistence is a strength and we need to recognise it when we see it in others, and respond rather than re-act.. We need people who are positive, unstoppable. And we need to encourage them when we see them reaching out to Jesus for the light and life that only he can give.

Christianity begins with a determined response to Jesus. It is nothing if it does not lead to a personal relationship with Jesus. And you and I will assist or prevent people entering into this relationship. Bartimaeus received his sight. The blind beggar became the sighted benefactor, followed the master, and joined his ministry.

Are you a Bartimaeus? Are you unstoppable? The Master calls you and heals you. You the beggar are to become the benefactor, following the Lord in his onward march. The world mission of our Lord Jesus Christ calls for men and women of the character and make-up of Bartimaeus, men and women who will not be put off by the objectors and the knockers.

And being a Bartimaeus is a choice. Every one of us will make this choice and no-one else can make it for us.

On your feet, friend. He’s calling you!

 Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, had often heard about Jesus, the teacher-healer of Nazareth. Being blind, there were many things he missed, but he heard a lot more than most people. As usual, he sat today by the roadside in his regular begging spot. He listened to the babble of voices as the crowds gathered and stream of people shuffled along the main road of Jericho, on their way to Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover. Bartimaeus had heard that Jesus would be among the travellers and he had made up his mind that one way or another he was going to speak to this prophet.

 He soon judged by the conversation of those around him that Jesus was coming closer and called out “Jesus, son of David!” The by-standers corrected him. “Shush, blind man, who do you think you are?” But no-one was going to rob Bartimaeus of what might be the only chance in a lifetime to escape from his world of darkness. He could now hear the prophet speaking as he drew closer to where Bartimaeus sat. He called out again, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 One of the tour guides tried to silence him. “Quiet, man, can’t you hear that the Master’s busy teaching?” But Bartimaeus felt that he had every right as a Jew to appeal to this prophet of Israel. One thing about Bartimaeus, he could be persistent. He saw nothing with his eyes but his ears were good, so was his voice. Now he shouted more loudly, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy!”

And then the miracle began to happen. Jesus heard him, stopped his teaching and said to one of his disciples, “Call him”. The disciple pushed his way to where Bartimaeus was sitting and said, “On your feet, friend, He’s calling you!”

Now, we may forgive the disciples if they agreed with the crowd in trying to keep Bartimaeus quiet. Their Master was a busy man and had a tight schedule to keep. Here’s this useless blind man interrupting things and getting in the way of the real program. Only later did they understand what discipleship was all about when you were following such a master as Jesus.

Just as well that Bartimaeus was so hard to discourage. That’s the really good thing about this blind man. He didn’t give up. Persistence is a strength and we need to recognise it when we see it in others, and respond rather than re-act.. We need people who are positive, unstoppable. And we need to encourage them when we see them reaching out to Jesus for the light and life that only he can give.

Christianity begins with a determined response to Jesus. It is nothing if it does not lead to a personal relationship with Jesus. And you and I will assist or prevent people entering into this relationship. Bartimaeus received his sight. The blind beggar became the sighted benefactor, followed the master, and joined his ministry.

Are you a Bartimaeus? Are you unstoppable? The Master calls you and heals you. You the beggar are to become the benefactor, following the Lord in his onward march. The world mission of our Lord Jesus Christ calls for men and women of the character and make-up of Bartimaeus, men and women who will not be put off by the objectors and the knockers.

And being a Bartimaeus is a choice. Every one of us will make this choice and no-one else can make it for us.

On your feet, friend. He’s calling you!Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, had often heard about Jesus, the teacher-healer of Nazareth. Being blind, there were many things he missed, but he heard a lot more than most people. As usual, he sat today by the roadside in his regular begging spot. He listened to the babble of voices as the crowds gathered and stream of people shuffled along the main road of Jericho, on their way to Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover. Bartimaeus had heard that Jesus would be among the travellers and he had made up his mind that one way or another he was going to speak to this prophet.

 He soon judged by the conversation of those around him that Jesus was coming closer and called out “Jesus, son of David!” The by-standers corrected him. “Shush, blind man, who do you think you are?” But no-one was going to rob Bartimaeus of what might be the only chance in a lifetime to escape from his world of darkness. He could now hear the prophet speaking as he drew closer to where Bartimaeus sat. He called out again, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 One of the tour guides tried to silence him. “Quiet, man, can’t you hear that the Master’s busy teaching?” But Bartimaeus felt that he had every right as a Jew to appeal to this prophet of Israel. One thing about Bartimaeus, he could be persistent. He saw nothing with his eyes but his ears were good, so was his voice. Now he shouted more loudly, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy!”

And then the miracle began to happen. Jesus heard him, stopped his teaching and said to one of his disciples, “Call him”. The disciple pushed his way to where Bartimaeus was sitting and said, “On your feet, friend, He’s calling you!”

Now, we may forgive the disciples if they agreed with the crowd in trying to keep Bartimaeus quiet. Their Master was a busy man and had a tight schedule to keep. Here’s this useless blind man interrupting things and getting in the way of the real program. Only later did they understand what discipleship was all about when you were following such a master as Jesus.

Just as well that Bartimaeus was so hard to discourage. That’s the really good thing about this blind man. He didn’t give up. Persistence is a strength and we need to recognise it when we see it in others, and respond rather than re-act.. We need people who are positive, unstoppable. And we need to encourage them when we see them reaching out to Jesus for the light and life that only he can give,

Christianity begins with a determined response to Jesus. It is nothing if it does not lead to a personal relationship with Jesus. And you and I will assist or prevent people entering into this relationship. Bartimaeus received his sight. The blind beggar became the sighted benefactor, followed the master, and joined his ministry.

Are you a Bartimaeus? Are you unstoppable? The Master calls you and heals you. You the beggar are to become the benefactor, following the Lord in his onward march. The world mission of our Lord Jesus Christ calls for men and women of the character and make-up of Bartimaeus, men and women who will not be put off by the objectors and the knockers.

And being a Bartimaeus is a choice. Every one of us will make this choice and no-one else can make it for us.

On your feet, friend. He’s calling you!

 Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, had often heard about Jesus, the teacher-healer of Nazareth. Being blind, there were many things he missed, but he heard a lot more than most people. As usual, he sat today by the roadside in his regular begging spot. He listened to the babble of voices as the crowds gathered and stream of people shuffled along the main road of Jericho, on their way to Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover. Bartimaeus had heard that Jesus would be among the travellers and he had made up his mind that one way or another he was going to speak to this prophet.

 He soon judged by the conversation of those around him that Jesus was coming closer and called out “Jesus, son of David!” The by-standers corrected him. “Shush, blind man, who do you think you are?” But no-one was going to rob Bartimaeus of what might be the only chance in a lifetime to escape from his world of darkness. He could now hear the prophet speaking as he drew closer to where Bartimaeus sat. He called out again, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 One of the tour guides tried to silence him. “Quiet, man, can’t you hear that the Master’s busy teaching?” But Bartimaeus felt that he had every right as a Jew to appeal to this prophet of Israel. One thing about Bartimaeus, he could be persistent. He saw nothing with his eyes but his ears were good, so was his voice. Now he shouted more loudly, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy!”

And then the miracle began to happen. Jesus heard him, stopped his teaching and said to one of his disciples, “Call him”. The disciple pushed his way to where Bartimaeus was sitting and said, “On your feet, friend, He’s calling you!”

Now, we may forgive the disciples if they agreed with the crowd in trying to keep Bartimaeus quiet. Their Master was a busy man and had a tight schedule to keep. Here’s this useless blind man interrupting things and getting in the way of the real program. Only later did they understand what discipleship was all about when you were following such a master as Jesus.

Just as well that Bartimaeus was so hard to discourage. That’s the really good thing about this blind man. He didn’t give up. Persistence is a strength and we need to recognise it when we see it in others, and respond rather than re-act.. We need people who are positive, unstoppable. And we need to encourage them when we see them reaching out to Jesus for the light and life that only he can give.

Christianity begins with a determined response to Jesus. It is nothing if it does not lead to a personal relationship with Jesus. And you and I will assist or prevent people entering into this relationship. Bartimaeus received his sight. The blind beggar became the sighted benefactor, followed the master, and joined his ministry.

Are you a Bartimaeus? Are you unstoppable? The Master calls you and heals you. You the beggar are to become the benefactor, following the Lord in his onward march. The world mission of our Lord Jesus Christ calls for men and women of the character and make-up of Bartimaeus, men and women who will not be put off by the objectors and the knockers.

And being a Bartimaeus is a choice. Every one of us will make this choice and no-one else can make it for us.

On your feet, friend. He’s calling you!

 Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, had often heard about Jesus, the teacher-healer of Nazareth. Being blind, there were many things he missed, but he heard a lot more than most people. As usual, he sat today by the roadside in his regular begging spot. He listened to the babble of voices as the crowds gathered and stream of people shuffled along the main road of Jericho, on their way to Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover. Bartimaeus had heard that Jesus would be among the travellers and he had made up his mind that one way or another he was going to speak to this prophet.

 He soon judged by the conversation of those around him that Jesus was coming closer and called out “Jesus, son of David!” The by-standers corrected him. “Shush, blind man, who do you think you are?” But no-one was going to rob Bartimaeus of what might be the only chance in a lifetime to escape from his world of darkness. He could now hear the prophet speaking as he drew closer to where Bartimaeus sat. He called out again, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 One of the tour guides tried to silence him. “Quiet, man, can’t you hear that the Master’s busy teaching?” But Bartimaeus felt that he had every right as a Jew to appeal to this prophet of Israel. One thing about Bartimaeus, he could be persistent. He saw nothing with his eyes but his ears were good, so was his voice. Now he shouted more loudly, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy!”

And then the miracle began to happen. Jesus heard him, stopped his teaching and said to one of his disciples, “Call him”. The disciple pushed his way to where Bartimaeus was sitting and said, “On your feet, friend, He’s calling you!”

Now, we may forgive the disciples if they agreed with the crowd in trying to keep Bartimaeus quiet. Their Master was a busy man and had a tight schedule to keep. Here’s this useless blind man interrupting things and getting in the way of the real program. Only later did they understand what discipleship was all about when you were following such a master as Jesus.

Just as well that Bartimaeus was so hard to discourage. That’s the really good thing about this blind man. He didn’t give up. Persistence is a strength and we need to recognise it when we see it in others, and respond rather than re-act.. We need people who are positive, unstoppable. And we need to encourage them when we see them reaching out to Jesus for the light and life that only he can give.

Christianity begins with a determined response to Jesus. It is nothing if it does not lead to a personal relationship with Jesus. And you and I will assist or prevent people entering into this relationship. Bartimaeus received his sight. The blind beggar became the sighted benefactor, followed the master, and joined his ministry.

Are you a Bartimaeus? Are you unstoppable? The Master calls you and heals you. You the beggar are to become the benefactor, following the Lord in his onward march. The world mission of our Lord Jesus Christ calls for men and women of the character and make-up of Bartimaeus, men and women who will not be put off by the objectors and the knockers.

And being a Bartimaeus is a choice. Every one of us will make this choice and no-one else can make it for us.

On your feet, friend. He’s calling you!

 Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, had often heard about Jesus, the teacher-healer of Nazareth. Being blind, there were many things he missed, but he heard a lot more than most people. As usual, he sat today by the roadside in his regular begging spot. He listened to the babble of voices as the crowds gathered and stream of people shuffled along the main road of Jericho, on their way to Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover. Bartimaeus had heard that Jesus would be among the travellers and he had made up his mind that one way or another he was going to speak to this prophet.

 He soon judged by the conversation of those around him that Jesus was coming closer and called out “Jesus, son of David!” The by-standers corrected him. “Shush, blind man, who do you think you are?” But no-one was going to rob Bartimaeus of what might be the only chance in a lifetime to escape from his world of darkness. He could now hear the prophet speaking as he drew closer to where Bartimaeus sat. He called out again, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 One of the tour guides tried to silence him. “Quiet, man, can’t you hear that the Master’s busy teaching?” But Bartimaeus felt that he had every right as a Jew to appeal to this prophet of Israel. One thing about Bartimaeus, he could be persistent. He saw nothing with his eyes but his ears were good, so was his voice. Now he shouted more loudly, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy!”

And then the miracle began to happen. Jesus heard him, stopped his teaching and said to one of his disciples, “Call him”. The disciple pushed his way to where Bartimaeus was sitting and said, “On your feet, friend, He’s calling you!”

Now, we may forgive the disciples if they agreed with the crowd in trying to keep Bartimaeus quiet. Their Master was a busy man and had a tight schedule to keep. Here’s this useless blind man interrupting things and getting in the way of the real program. Only later did they understand what discipleship was all about when you were following such a master as Jesus.

Just as well that Bartimaeus was so hard to discourage. That’s the really good thing about this blind man. He didn’t give up. Persistence is a strength and we need to recognise it when we see it in others, and respond rather than re-act.. We need people who are positive, unstoppable. And we need to encourage them when we see them reaching out to Jesus for the light and life that only he can give.

Christianity begins with a determined response to Jesus. It is nothing if it does not lead to a personal relationship with Jesus. And you and I will assist or prevent people entering into this relationship. Bartimaeus received his sight. The blind beggar became the sighted benefactor, followed the master, and joined his ministry.

Are you a Bartimaeus? Are you unstoppable? The Master calls you and heals you. You the beggar are to become the benefactor, following the Lord in his onward march. The world mission of our Lord Jesus Christ calls for men and women of the character and make-up of Bartimaeus, men and women who will not be put off by the objectors and the knockers.

And being a Bartimaeus is a choice. Every one of us will make this choice and no-one else can make it for us.

 On your feet, friend. He’s calling you!

Lindsay Urquhart, as an ordained Baptist minister, pastored a number of churches in Australia. He and his wife Elaine have also worked with the Bible Society, Prison Fellowship, and in Christian literature ministry. In their sixties they served with Operation Mobilisation in Central and Eastern Europe, travelled widely and had many varied experiences. They have five children and nine grandchildren, are semi-retired, but are still very active. Lindsay wants to give time to writing, drawing on his biblical knowledge on his life’s experiences.

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