Mark 10:48-50 (NIVUK)
48 Many rebuked him [Blind Bartimaeus] and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’
49 Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’
So they called to the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.’ 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
I’m sure you’ve come across ‘before and after’ type memes or adverts, often for marketing dieting, fashion or make-up. The first photo is normally set up to be not so flattering, but by the second, the subject has been transformed and looks magnificent! He we have a before and after shot of the crowd. The first image is of the crowd telling the annoying, poor and blind Bartimaeus to be quiet and not disturb Jesus. In the second shot, they’ve been transformed, and are dramatically more welcoming and keen to bring him to Jesus. What’s happened in between? They’ve seen for themselves Jesus’ compassion.
Jesus, help us to be more like the second snapshot, and forgive us for the times when we’ve more like the first.
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