The Shout

The Shout

Luke 18:35-43, NLT

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. 36When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. 37They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. 38So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39“Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, 41“What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!” 42And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” 43Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.

Setting the Scene

As usual, a “crowd” was accompanying Jesus and his disciples, probably mostly Jews on their way to Jerusalem for the Passover. Matthew writes that two blind men were begging, while Mark and Luke mention only one. Actually, more than two may have been in that area, but of the two who called out to Jesus, Mark and Luke singled out the more vocal one. Mark gives his name, Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46). In ancient times, blind people and others with debilitating infirmities had no other option but to beg, waiting along the roads near cities. There they would be able to contact the most people. Jericho, with its fairly wealthy inhabitants, was a popular location for beggars. Bartimaeus could not see the approaching crowd, of course, but he and the other beggar heard them and asked what was happening. When they were told that “Jesus the Nazarene” was passing by, they began shouting. They had undoubtedly heard that Jesus had healed many, including blind people (see Matthew 9:29-31). They called Jesus “Lord” (Matthew 20:31) and “Son of David,” acknowledging that Jesus was the Messiah. This was an opportunity not to be missed, so Bartimaeus shamelessly cried out for Jesus’ attention.

Getting Personal

When have you felt a desperate need for God’s intervention?

When have you been reluctant to bring your needs to Jesus? What keeps you from calling out to him?

Bartimaeus and his friend were desperate. The fact that Mark knew this blind man’s name suggests that Bartimaeus had been a regular at that spot, so he probably wasn’t young. And being dependent on donations from people means he must have been poor—quite a contrast to the rich young religious leader we met earlier in the chapter (Luke 18:18-23). He had no social standing, no resources, and no religious credentials. But he knew who Jesus was and that Jesus could meet his need, so Bartimaeus began shouting to Jesus. And what was he asking? “Have mercy on me!”

Jesus loves us, and he wants us to bring our needs to him. Like blind Bartimaeus, we shouldn’t be deterred by our state in life or the crowds. We don’t even have to shout—a simple prayer will do, asking for mercy, for our Savior’s presence and touch.

Talking to God

Capture Bartimaeus’s urgency as you pray his prayer: “Have mercy on me!” The Lord understands your great need and the “blindness” that comes from an imperfect view of his Kingdom. His love and forgiveness are already prepared for you.