Year of the Bible: Part Nine of TwelvePrimjer

When You Know That You Know

As a crowd followed Jesus down the road from Jericho, a blind man named Bartimaeus cried out, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” We don’t know what Bartimaeus had heard about Jesus, but something inside of him had already concluded that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah.

“Son of David” was a title for the Messiah. Though many people told Bartimaeus to be quiet, he would not be deterred. Why? What did he know? When Jesus called for Bartimaeus to come, “he threw aside his cloak.” The outer cloak was significant to Jewish men: for warmth, security, identity, and as an expression of authority (for example, Elijah threw his cloak over Elisha to declare the transfer of his prophetic office).

If you were blind, would you take off your precious cloak and “throw it aside on the ground?” How would you find it again? Or, maybe you wouldn’t hesitate to throw it on the ground and head towards Jesus’ voice if you knew that you would have no trouble finding it because Jesus was going to restore your sight!

Question: Do you know—really know—that Jesus is the Son of God, the almighty, Lord of Lords, and Judge of all the universe?

Pray: Today, pray with confidence—from faith in the character of God as shown through the life of Jesus, who came that you might have abundant life. Lift up your most challenging situation in prayer, knowing He hears you and is willing to move on your behalf.