Follow Jesus
by Gary Toh, Director of Prayer Ministry
Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (Mark 10:46-52)
Gospel writer John Mark wrote about a time when a blind man called out to Jesus as He was leaving Jericho. Many people asked the blind man to shut up, but Jesus stopped and asked the man to come to Him. When Jesus asked the blind man what he wanted, he said he wanted to see. Jesus then said, "Your faith has healed you," and his sight was restored.
I remember an incident from some years ago when our church was going through a time of prayer and fasting for seven days. On the second night of the fast, we had a prayer meeting, and I was in a prayer group with a friend. He had just recently committed his life to Christ and was new to the Christian faith and practices. This is the first time he had ever participated in a fast. When he came into the room, I could see that he did not look too well. His face was pale and looked very haggard.
I asked him what happened, why he looked the way he did. He bowed his head and sheepishly said he has been trying to fast for the past two days. Then he said, "I do not know how Jesus did it when he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. I am on my second day, and I feel I am almost ready to die."
Out of curiosity, I asked him, "What are you fasting from?" He said, "I read in the Bible that Jesus fasted from food and water for 40 days, so Iʻm just trying to follow His example. I have not eaten or drank for the past 48 hours." At this point, I tried to hold back my shock and amusement. I said to him. "Bro, I think we need to talk," and I got him a cup of water.
I do hope that if youʻre on our current fast that you had listened and looked at the fasting instructions. If not let me know, and I will be sure to bring you a glass of plantation iced tea.
My friend had chosen to follow Jesus by His example. Maybe due to the lack of instructions, he had sought out the Bible on what to do. He was doing his best to follow Jesus. Same for the man in the passage, whose name was Bartimaeus.
After Jesus healed him, he followed Jesus. From the passage, we could assume that the Gospel writer John Mark knew who Bartimaeus was since his name was recorded. There are very few incidents in the Bible where people who received healing were named. That probably means that John Mark got to know him after the incident. So it is likely Bartimaeus followed Jesus even beyond his town.
We are all called to follow Jesus. He made that invitation on the cross where He redeemed us with His blood and sacrifice.
Prayer: Lord, show me how I can follow You. Show me how I can walk the path that you have destined for me. Amen.
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