I am growing to love the book of Mark found in the New Testament of the Bible. I love the stories Jesus told to his disciples and I love the situations the disciples found themselves in as they followed this radical rabbi around the countryside.

I love the story of blind Bartimaeus found in Mark 10. How did Bartimaeus hear about Jesus? Where did his faith in Jesus come from as he threw off his cloak (the cloak he used to gather the coins thrown his way) and jumped up and hurried to Jesus? Why such persistence and boldness when the followers of Jesus told hime to "shut up?"

I can't read this story without considering how I might have responded If I had been one of the ones following Jesus out of Jerico. Would I have told Bartimeaus to "shut up" or "cheer up?" How often in my life do I pass by people who desperately need to see the Savior. People who have been hurt by "the church." People who have fallen into the trap of despising Jesus because of what they see in the church today? People who have never heard or seen the love of Jesus, but recognize the need for healing and wholeness and a right relationship with God?

Yet, like this story, the love of Jesus breaks through to those who call out to Him. Even when his followers are caloused and hard, Jesus heals and comforts. Even when the followers of Jesus tell people that the Savior has no time for them, Jesus calls them and tells them and asks, "what do you want me to do for you?"

My desire is to be a follower of Jesus who lives like the Master. Jesus modeled for me the life of the Messiah found in Isaiah 61:1-3. I have to ask:
Am I preaching the good news to the poor?
Am I binding up the borkenhearted?
Am I proclaiming freedom for the captives?
Am I proclaiming release for the prisoners?
Am I proclaiming the year of the LORD's favor?
Am I comforting those who mourn?
Am I providing for those who grieve?
Am I quick to bestow a crown of beauty instead of ashes?
Am I one to bestow the oil of gladness instead of mourning?
Am I bestowing a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair?

The disciples "failed" with the blind man of Jerico, but Jesus did not.