What’s that saying about persistence again? If at first we don’t succeed, try, try, and try again. Perhaps they coined it from Bartimeus’ life. Or maybe it’s the other way around, that he was inspired by it. Regardless of whether it is or isn’t, Bartimeus’ experience with Jesus serves as a clear reminder that persistence pays. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Mark 10:48-49 AFV
[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!”
[49] And Jesus stood still and asked for him to be called. And they called the blindman, saying to him, “Be of good courage; rise up, for He is calling you.”
Jesus Stood Still
As I typed the heading for our reflection on the Nougat, I thought about how the onlookers or even Bartimeus himself would speak later of this moment. It was the day the Son stood still. Not back at Gibeon, but in our time. When Y’shua, the Son of David, stood still for that blind man (or for me). It was amazing!
When the sun stood still, Gibeon, Israel’s ally, was under attack from Adoni-Zedek and four other armies. As strong as Gibeon’s army was, it could not withstand the allied force of five armies. They appealed to the House of Israel, and Joshua intervened. In response to Joshua’s prayer, the sun did not move in the sky until victory was complete (see Joshua 10 for more on that story).
Siblings, on that day when the sun stood still at Gibeon, it was God’s favour on a people who dared to believe in YHWH. The Gibeonites believed in YHWH’s power and tricked Israel into an alliance with them. Their strategy paid off, for when they cried out, God honored their cry. Isn’t it ironic that they went through Joshua to get to God? (Joshua means God saves.
Self Check
In our seasons of distress, where, who, or what do we turn to?
Deeper Dive
The honourable son cried out to the Anointed Son in his distress. And, as David stated in Psalm 34:4, when Bartimeus sought the Lord, Y’shua heard him. He went completely still. There’s something special about the scene.
Let’s revisit it for a bit…
Jesus and the disciples were on the road, walking toward Jerusalem – where Jesus was going to perform His ultimate miracle, the conquest of death. Enough other people were milling around to sensitize the blind Bartimeus that this wasn’t just people passing. Some were kind enough to tell him that Y’shua of Nazareth was passing by. His initial cry didn’t seem to reach Jesus’ ears. When the people tried to silence him, Bartimeus persisted.
Then Y’shua stopped. That pause in walking, and possibly talking or praying signifies that Y’shua heard the cry. Whether he knew it or not, Bartimeus had his full attention!
When the Son stood still, someone’s life was transformed because they believed.
Bartimeus was heard, and about to be seen.
The two episodes occurred with different suns, both under God’s command. When the sunlight remained in the sky, YHWH Tsebeoth (God who commands the armies of angels) performed a miracle for a nation. The first time the Son stood still, God performed a miracle for one person who dared to believe in Y’shua’s divinity. It was individual. It was personal.
Y’shua is ready to stand still (albeit metaphorically) for you and me. Our only task is to cry out in faith.
Point to Ponder
The Gospels reveal that the second time the Son ‘stood still’, He saved the entire world, if we were willing to believe in Him. YHWH Tsebeoth is still with us. The Son of David, Y’shua our God, is our refuge.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
