And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” – Mark 10:48

In Mark 10:48, we see Bartimaeus, a poor blind man, crying out to Jesus for healing. The crowd, not wanting this poor man of no worth interrupting, told him to be quiet. But the man, facing the crowd of angry men, continued to cry out.

His courage shows us to trust in God and know that he always has time for us. Because Bartimaeus knew that even though the crowd was mad, he could find healing in God. And then Jesus goes, even when he’s trying to leave Jericho, and makes time to heal this man, because he believes and knows that even though the crowd might seem scary, God will always come through.

Even if we are scared, if we don’t know where to turn, God always has time for us, no matter what. Bartimaeus knows that this man has done many wonders, and he is in desperate need of one himself. His blindness prevents him from being able to work and make money to keep himself off the streets. If this wonderful man he’s heard about can heal his blindness, he will be able to work again. And he gets his chance as Jesus leaves Jericho, passing right through the street he was at. So, he seizes his chance, even though the crowds protest, he keeps calling out. And God delivered.

Ever since I read Laura Ingalls Wilder and heard about her sister Mary, the poor girl who goes blind from scarlet fever, I have wanted to learn more about blindness, and I learned to read braille. Because of Christ’s love for us, we also show our love by helping our neighbor.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, please give us courage in the face of desperation, and help us to show our love to our neighbors.

Daily Reading: Matthew 20

– Contributed by Kylie Iver (age 12)