Jesus was in Jericho for the very last time. He had resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51) and was now only days from the cross. Never again would Jericho see His physical presence. Never again would the Son of God walk there. Never again would the people of Jericho see Christ perform His mighty works. He was about to leave that city and was never to physically return, for His death, resurrection, and ascension were ahead of Him.

But Jesus had a remaining appointment with one of the lowliest men in Jericho. A blind man named Bartimaeus was there, sitting by the side of the road. For Bartimaeus, it was another day of darkness. It was another day in which he bore the pain of being blind. It was another day in which he had to beg his fellow man for some meager amount of money to buy bread. It was another day in which he bore the burden of contempt, for in seeing a blind man even the religious would ask, ”who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?” (John 9:2). As on other days, few people would take thought of him, let alone love him. But for Bartimaeus, this would become the greatest day of his life, for it was the day in which he would encounter the Lord Jesus Christ. On this day, his life would be changed forever.

As he sat by the side of the road begging, Bartimaeus heard an unusual sound. It was the noise of a multitude of people coming down the road. When he inquired of those surrounding him as to what this might be, they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by (Luke 18:37). Jesus of Nazareth! The Great One! The Messiah! The King of Kings! The only One ever known to have opened the eyes of a blind man! The One who was known to show compassion to the poor and mercy to the sinner! In his deep desire to be noticed by Christ, Bartimaeus began to cry out again and again, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47). In their annoyance at his cries, the crowd sternly warned him to keep silent; but he kept crying out all the more, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Would the Son of God have time for this destitute man? Would He pause for Bartimaeus in the midst of His steadfast journey to Jerusalem? Would He take His mind from His coming days of suffering to answer the call of a beggar? With the multitudes thronging Him and the whole of Jericho pressing to see Him, would the King of Kings have regard for the cry of this insignificant man? Yes, He would: “Jesus stopped.”

See the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ! He stops for the lowest of the low. He takes notice of the least esteemed of men. In His compassion, Christ called Bartimaeus to come to Him, so that the crowd changed their tone and said, “Be of good cheer; Arise! He is calling for you” (Mark 10:49). In His mercy, Christ healed Bartimaeus, opening the eyes that had so long been in darkness so that they could see light. O blind Bartimaeus, how blessed you are! The Son of God has stopped for you! He has heard your cry for mercy! He has shown regard for your helpless estate! He has remembered you according to His lovingkindness! O Bartimaeus, did you know that Christ had ordained your days of blindness so that He might show His works in you? Did you know that your days of sorrow were for the glory of God and for the good of your own soul? Did you realize in your grief and pain that His eyes were upon you? In day after day of blindness, did you trust that His thoughts toward you were for peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope? (Jer 29:11). O Bartimaeus, Christ had set an appointment with you before the foundation of the world! Now your days of sadness are long forgotten. You have the recovery of sight, but above all you have the forgiveness of sins, for you have come to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Those who have not come to the Lord Jesus Christ, do you see in Bartimaeus a picture of salvation? As Christ opened the eyes of that blind man, so He opens the eyes of sinners to receive Him by faith. Whereas we are blind, He makes us to see. Whereas we are in darkness, we see in Him the true light and we receive from Him the light of life. See in Bartimaeus Christ’s love and compassion toward those who cry to Him for mercy. He will hear you when you come to Him in sincerity and humility. He will regard your cry for His mercy when you seek Him with all your heart. Let not the crowds hinder you. Ask of Him that He would open your eyes. Seek Him for the healing of your soul. Cry to Him for salvation, for you have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). A broken and a contrite heart He will not despise (Psalm 51:17). Christ was never to return to Jericho, but Bartimaeus found Him while He was still there; even so, you too seek the Lord while He may be found (Isaiah 55:6).

Those who love and serve Christ, do you see the depths of His love and compassion toward you? Do you realize that He always hears your sincere and humble prayers? He has given His life for you, and will He forget to supply your needs? He stopped for Bartimaeus on earth; will He not bless you from heaven? “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). Though He bears long with you, He cannot forget you. He will always bring you to remembrance. Did He not have His eye upon Bartimaeus in his blindness? And if He ordains days of darkness for you, it will only be for the glory of His name, for the good of others, and for the benefit of your own soul-and only for a time. Put your trust in Christ. Follow Him as Bartimaeus followed Him on the road (Mark 10:52). Keep His ways, and know that He will always provide for you. He intercedes for you before the Father, and will the Father not bless you for His sake? “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Rom 8:32).

O Lord Jesus, please stop for us! Please hear the cry of Your humble servants! Please hear our plea! Please remember that your servants are but dust. Please remember that without Your smile we fade away and are no more. Please remember that as blind Bartimaeus we are beggars in Your sight. Our hands are open, and we beg You to provide for us and sustain us. Our hearts are open, and we beg you to transform us and renew us. Our minds are open, and we beg You to teach us and direct us. Our lives are open, and we beg You to shine Your face upon us.