“And they came to Jericho. And as [Jesus] was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (Mark 10:46-47 ESV).

You would think Jesus might have not wanted to be bothered by a blind beggar. When we’re feeling low, sometimes we think Jesus must be too busy for us. We would be wrong. Jesus specifically came to help beggars. We have a standing invitation from Jesus recorded in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Remember this: coming to Jesus for help is not about you, your worthiness or unworthiness; it’s about Him - His mercy and power. We are all beggars with nothing to offer, and everything to ask - and Jesus welcomes beggars.

Here’s the proof: “Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ And the blind man said to Him, ‘Rabbi, let me recover my sight’” (Mark 10:51-52). Jesus’ answered Bartimaeus’ impossible request with an impossible miracle: “And Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your faith has made you well.’ And immediately he recovered his sight” (Mark 10:52).

- submitted by the Rev. Ken Johnson, Pastor of Zion and Our Savior’s Lutheran Churches of Avon and Springfield, South Dakota