Leaving the Past Behind

When did you realize you believed in Jesus? Was there a moment you can look back on when you realized that it wasn't just the facts about Jesus that you believed, but that you believed in Him? For some, they can remember the day and the time when they became a follower of Jesus. For others, it was a gradual coming to faith. Over time they moved closer and closer to Jesus until one day they realized - I'm with Him!

Today I was reading Mark 10 in preparation for Sunday's sermon and I read ahead to the story of Bartimaeus.

46And so they reached Jericho. Later, as Jesus and his disciples left town, a great crowd was following. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road as Jesus was going by. 47When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus from Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

48"Be quiet!" some of the people yelled at him.

But he only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

49When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, "Tell him to come here."

So they called the blind man. "Cheer up," they said. "Come on, he's calling you!" 50Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

51"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked.

"Teacher," the blind man said, "I want to see!"
52And Jesus said to him, "Go your way. Your faith has healed you." And instantly the blind man could see! Then he followed Jesus down the road

So when did it happen for Bartimaeus?

Well, we know he was a beggar, who sat alongside the road that was filled with pilgrims headed to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem. Day after day he sat there, helplessly pleading for people to give alms as they passed. If they didn't, he didn't eat. Now Jesus is near, and he cries out, and is told to come.

That's when it happens.

Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.


That coat, or cloak as some versions call it, wasn't just clothing. Beggars wore over sized poncho like coats that they spread out before them to catch the money people gave. So when Bartimaeus decided to trust that Jesus could do what he needed, by leaping up and tossing aside his cloak... He left his past behind - the way he had made a living... trusted His Savior - and found life!.

Have you?

Grace!

David