What do we do when others try to silence us? These days, most of us would say we press forward despite. But what if we are talking out of turn? That we dared to approach an important official without invitation – does that change our response?
Some of us might even say it’s a moot point (one that no longer requires discussion), as we wouldn’t have attempted to speak to an important official in the first place. What advice would we have given to Bartimeus, had we been there? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Mark 10:47-48 AFV
[47] And after hearing that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
[48] Then many began to rebuke him, so that he would be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
But He Cried Out All The More
Bartimeus allowed nothing and no one to deter him from crying out to Y’shua for help. Siblings, if the crowd were as I believe it could be, the chances of him being heard were slim. That didn’t deter him either. He was rebuked, told to shut up … that’s when he got louder.
Again, we’re told Bartimeus used the faith-filled title in his cry: Jesus, Son of David. He appealed to Jesus’ royal authority as the fulfillment of prophecy. He saw Y’shua as that righteous branch who would save Judah and Israel (see Jeremiah 23:5-6), not just a local healer who was passing his way.
This is noteworthy, because he was told Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, not the Son of David. The name Jesus means, God saves. As Jews living under Pax Romana, it was very probable that other children were named Jesus (as we say in English). Whether it was Joshua, Y’shua, Jesu, or some other variation, the more devout Jews were seeking a messiah, any saviour who would overthrow the Roman system and take them out of bondage. That descriptor affirms that there might have been several Jesuses in that time, and identifies his origins as Nazareth. There is much to note in how we use Jesus’ name.
Self-Check
Do we understand God’s nature and character more in each aspect of His name – Way, Truth, and Life; Bread of Life; Resurrection; etc.? How do we use Y’shua’s names when we pray?
Application
Bartimeus’ response is one that we all should heed, whether in our prayer life with Jesus, or in our interactions with notable persons. We don’t have to get disrespectful, disorderly, or rude about it, but we can use our voices to be seen and heard. That’s what the women in South Africa did when they called for a shutdown during the G-20 Summit. That’s what we do each time we choose to go to God in prayer.
Before you tell me that I’m crazy to say so, just think – approximately 8 billion people live on earth. It is said that Christianity accounts for at least 2 billion. Even with time zones, there ought to be a multitude following Jesus, petitioning Him in prayer most of the time (- or is it that we all pray only in the worship space? Even then it would be several of us praying at once). We are thus petitioning Jesus in the crowd.
Many of us may then feel that our issue isn’t going to be heard. So we stay silent. Especially if our last prayer request was denied.
Remember …
Bartimeus had zero guarantee that he would be heard in the din.
He shouted anyway.
He cried out louder.
Some might see the naysayers as unintentional support. For as those in his vicinity shushed Bartimeus, others would try to see/hear what the shushing was about. Soon his cry reached further and further through the crowd. Persistence in opposition can be beneficial.
We are told that there is a cry that touches the heart of God (see Psalm 34:17) – that could also be our cry. But we won’t know unless we cry out.
Point to Ponder
What issue is serious enough, or dear enough to our hearts to send us on our knees before our Saviour – no matter what? Let’s ignore the crowd and cry out to Y’shua.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
