The Rev. Ellen Dawson ’09, Interim Campus Minister, Marshall University, Huntington, W.Va.
Scripture
Mark 10:46-52
46 They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” 50 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Devotional
“. . . When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’”
When reading the story of Bartimaeus, we often focus on his actual healing from being blind. But instead, I encourage us to notice the first thing Bartimaeus says: He asks for mercy—and he continues to ask for mercy despite the reprimands from the crowd.
Now that took faith.
Perhaps we too can ask for mercy today and let this be an expression of our own faith. Praying the Jesus Prayer is one way to do just that. Take a moment now to pray the Jesus Prayer aloud or in silence several times.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Jesus says to Bartimaeus, “Your faith has healed you.” May this prayer for Christ’s mercy bring healing today.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, may the mercy you have washed us in bring us the healing for which our brokenness so desperately hungers and thirsts. Amen.