“…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.” (Mark 10:46-47 KJV).

We do not know how long Bartimaeus had been blind. He could have been born blind. He could have been involved in an accident that took his sight. We do not know the circumstances surrounding his blindness. All that is known is he was unable to see! And for a blind person in those days, the only means of surviving was to beg! It had to be a degrading existence!

When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by, for the first time in his life hope sprang up within him! He, no doubt, had heard of Jesus! He had heard accounts of Jesus opening blinded eyes! And when he learned that Jesus was near, he cried out to Him: “Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.” The people near him tried to silence him, but Bartimaeus refused to be silenced! Jesus was near! Only Jesus could help him! So he cried out even more (vs. 48)! Jesus heard his desperate cry! And Jesus answered his cry! There is something about the desperation that uniquely touches the heart of God!

We are surrounded by blind people; people whose eyes, hearts, and minds have been blinded by the adversary to the Truth of the Gospel (2 Cor. 4:4). But unlike Bartimaeus, they do not know they are blind! They cannot cry out for mercy because they don’t even know they need it! Therefore, it falls to us, the Redeemed (those whose eyes have been opened) to cry out for mercy on their behalf! Just as Jesus heard the desperate cry of Bartimaeus, so will He hear our desperate cry for the souls of those we love! No matter what others may say, let us not be silenced! Let us continue to cry out to Him! Jesus is near! He will hear! And He will answer!

Rev. James W. Black

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sin.” (1 John 4:10).

Have you ever observed the power of a seed? Have you ever noticed how a small seed can sprout, and find the tiniest crack can literally burst through concrete or asphalt? The power of life contained in the seed is absolutely amazing! But what is even more amazing is the power of love! Have you ever observed the power of love displayed by a mother who sacrifices everything she has to care for her child! For her, no sacrifice is too great for the sake of her child!

But what is even greater than the love of a mother for her child is the Love of God that is displayed toward us! The Word of God tells us that there is no limit or boundary that can diminish or restrict the Love of God (Rom. 8: 35-39). And there are no words that can fully explain it or describe it! (1 Cor. 13, Eph. 3:17-19). Its power is absolutely incomprehensible.

We tend to think of power in terms of military might, political or economic power.
And although those things are real and can be formidable, they cannot compare to the Love of God! The greatest expression of God’s love was displayed on the Cross! For it was love that sent Him to the cross! It was love that held Him there (Matt. 26:53). It was love that motivated Him to endure all that He did so that our sin could be paid for in full (Heb. 12:2). This love is so powerful that neither death, hell, or the grave could prevent His Mighty Resurrection (Rev. 1:18). And believe me, they all tried! They gave it their best shot! But the Love of Christ conquered them all (Col. 2:15).

And now this Powerful Love is freely offered to all who will surrender to it and receive it (Rom. 10:13). This love is so powerful that it completely destroyed all the powers of darkness! This love is so powerful that it can completely transform a life (Acts 9: 1-18). There is no life that is so lost that it cannot be saved (Acts 16:31). There is no stronghold so powerful that the Love of Jesus cannot destroy it! There are no bonds so strong that this Powerful Love cannot set the captive free (John 8:36).

So, embrace this Powerful Love! Walk it! And allow its power to be unleashed in your life! You will never be the same again!

James W. Black