During what is called 'Holy Week' we have services each evening, and I was asked to conduct and speak at the Tuesday Evening Service this year and was given the theme 'Bartimaeus'.
Bartimaeus was the blind beggar who called out to Jesus Christ as Jesus was passing through Jericho for the final time. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to shed His Blood and give His life, as our Passover Lamb. His blood was shed to wash away sin.
Bartimaeus called out and the crowd tried to silence him. It was a noisy procession but Jesus heard the cry for mercy coming from Bartimaeus and he answered that cry - that prayer. He hears the cries of those who are serious and desperate.
He asked Bartimaeus what he wanted done. You would have thought it would have been obvious, but there are times Jesus Christ wants us to spell out our needs, precisely and specifically. As a consequence of his faith in Jesus Bartimaeus was healed and he was able to see and he rose up and followed Jesus.
Bartimaeus put his life in the hands of Jesus Christ. This was his final opportunity as Jesus was never to pass that way again - never! We never know when it is our final opportunity.
All this reminded me of the Parable of the Pencil and I shared it with all those who came to the Tuesday Evening Service.
You will be able to great things if you allow yourself to be held in someone's hand.
You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, and you will need that to make you a better pencil.
The one who holds you will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.
You may be painted and shiney on the outside but the most important part of you is what is inside.
On every surface where you are to be used, leave your mark! Continue to write!
It is only a Parable but a Parable is a story with spiritual implications and a profound spiritual dimension.
When called and healed by Jesus, Bartimaeus rose up and followed Jesus and placed his life in hands of Jesus Christ. Now, there is a tremendous security there. It takes courage to do that and it involves commitment. It may be the result of a decision - not in an emotional moment - although emotion will undoubtedly be present.
A man has to be determined to rise up and follow. Some may come to regard you as a pest and nuisance as they had regarded Bartimaeus.
When Bartimaeus rose up to follow Jesus we are told he threw off his old coat. Did he ever return to that old coat? I don't think so. That was a symbol of his previous way of life. When Jesus touches you and calls you and you rise up and follow Him, never consider for a single moment of returning to your former way of life with all its sadness and traps and snares and nets and sin.
What a future he had! I am sure that when he arose that morning and was led out to the place to beg he never dreamt that by evening he would be able to see and that his whole life would be totally transformed, as he set out following Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
This is not a parable. This is reality.
Sandy Shaw.
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.
Sandy Shaw
sandyshaw63@yahoo.com
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