He Has Heard Your Cry

Mark 10:46-52

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

And he, casting away his garment, rose and came to Jesus.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

When I look at this scripture, I can see the longing of poor Bartimaeus. He desired to be able to see. Who knows how long he sat on the streets of Jericho, blind. It was probably years. 

Someone may have told Bartimaeus about Jesus. He could have heard it on the streets that there was a man who could heal the sick and raise the dead. Imagine what it must of felt like, knowing that people were receiving their miracles and blessings, but never receiving that healing for yourself. Bartimaeus must have got a little excited when he heard that Jesus was coming down the road. He knew of the miracles that had happened. He knew that today could be his day for his miracle.

If you could imagine right now the cries of this blind man. His calls for Jesus to come and help him. To see him reaching and groping for the healing he desired so much. Others began to criticize him by marking him. They said he would never get his healing. He was unworthy of his healing. He was just a needy, blind man.

I can just see the pain on his face as he cried out louder. I can almost hear his thoughts screaming, "NO! JESUS! COME TO ME! HELP ME! DON'T PASS ME BY!" His desperation for his healing growing with each cry for mercy. 

Then, Jesus hears him and stops in his tracks. He heard the desperate cry. He heard the pain in his voice. He stopped just for him and told his disciples bring him to me so that I can help him. Let me see this man. 

I can see the smile begin to brighten Bartimaeus's face as the disciples tell him to come to Jesus. I can see the excitement flowing through his bones. I can almost hear his mind screaming, "YES! HE HAS HEARD MY CRY! I KNOW HE WILL HEAL ME!"

I tell this story because I want to encourage someone today. God has heard your cry. He has seen your tears. He loves you and wants to bless you. If he did it for Bartimaeus, he can do it for you. Your prayers stop him and your desperation pulls at his heart. He feels your pain and he knows your suffering. He will answer if you just believe. He will bless you. All you need to do is trust that he is there. He stopped just for you today. That moment when you spoke that prayer, he heard. Sometimes prayers are not always answered in our timing. Bartimaeus could have been blind for years. Remember, God has never left you and he has heard your cry.

Psalm 18:2-6

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.

In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.