06/11/2026
“I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” Etienne de Grellet
MARK 10:46-52 gives an account of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, sitting beside a road in Jericho, and when he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was approaching, he called out to him for mercy and healing. When those around him attempted to quiet him, he made an even greater effort to plead his desire with Jesus.
Jesus heard him, and even knowing Bartimaeus’ request, asked him, “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?”
Upon hearing the sweet voice ofJesus, Bartimaeus immediately rose up, and went to meet Jesus, and “cast away his garment”, for he knew that this encounter with Jesus would render the old garments of his present identification as a semblance of his past, not his present, nor his future!
When Jesus spoke to him, “Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole”, Bartimaeus made the choice to follow Jesus as “his Way”, and subsequently followed him to Jerusalem.
Unlike past invitations to the disciples, to “Come, follow me,” Jesus lovingly spoke to Bartimaeous , granted the desires of his heart, and made no further requirements. Bartimaeus grasped the opportunity, and made a choice.
Had Bartimaeus not taken this opportunity to reach out to Jesus, there would not have been another such as this; for, Jesus was on his journey to Jerusalem, the path leading to his crucifixion. He would not pass this way again. This one-time personal encounter with Jesus would have been missed!
We don’t need to let missed opportunity become the controlling and dominant factor in our lives.
Our missed opportunities should not become moments of lingering shame for us, because Jesus has already paid the price for our shame, grief, disappointments, betrayals, and human frailties; however, they can become reminders for a more diligent commitment to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Our healing, our peace, our liberty and freedom, our eternal life and security, are assured by the finished work of Jesus Christ! We have the continuing comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit as we continue on this earthly journey. “Be strong and of good courage, Fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee: he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” DEUTERONOMY 31:6
Like Bartimaeus:
We must seek Jesus;
We must call out to Him more loudly and fervently when there are those who would silence us;
We must cast aside old identifications of the past;
We must make the deliberate choice to follow Him and walk in His path.
This we do so that we may say: “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” PSALM 28: 4
Painting by Harold Copping
