Your Passing Opportunity

“Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ And Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him here.’ So they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.’ Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. And answering him, Jesus said, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ And the blind man said to Him, ‘Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.”  Mark 10:46-52

In the annual pageantry of The Atlanta Passion Play, one brief scene seems always to find its way into the hearts of the audience. There, overlooked by the multitude passing by, sits blind Bartimaeus begging alms. What a graphic illustration of helplessness and hopelessness - a dirty, rag-clad blind man - unwanted and unloved (probably really unknown). BUT he had ears and had heard of Jesus, of people being set free and healed of all sorts of diseases - even blindness! He must have thought: “If Jesus had healed other blind people, maybe He will heal me, too.”

Dependent upon others to guide him, Bartimaeus couldn’t very well seek Jesus out, so he began to call to Him as Jesus passed by. He probably would only have this one opportunity to contact Jesus, and with desperation, he cried out to be noticed, to be healed.

His plea was answered when Jesus stopped and asked him what he wanted. “To regain my sight!” was his instant reply. As thousands view this quick interaction in the Passion Play, how many are themselves crying out to Jesus, knowing that He has done for others and might do for them? Jesus is passing by, friend. Call out to Him today!

Opportunity missed can be a tragedy - or a Godsend.
Which shall it be?