Christ is Born!
It’s always very disheartening to see a person who has been incredibly gifted with natural ability- whether in music, sports, intelligence etc.- but lacking the drive to do anything with it. This is often noticed especially with teachers who recognize wonderful gifts among their students but are at a loss as to motivate them to develop them.
Bartimaeus on the other hand is a different kind of guy. He’s living in Jericho, the capital of godlessness, and he’s blind. He hears our Lord coming through and shouts out to Him. When he is silenced he shouts all the more until He gets everyone’s attention and most importantly- the Lord’s attention. Bartimeaeus wants Christ and Christ comes to him.
This blind man has two lessons for us today brothers and sisters, firstly we have to want Christ. He is passing through. Will we stop Him? And secondly, do we want Him enough to cause a scene? There is a tremendous pressure in our world to “believe what you want, just don’t tell anyone else about it.” If Bartimaeus hadn’t caused a scene he would have remained blind. If we Christians stay silent the world will remain blind. Let us ask the Lord for the strength to cry out to Him even, and especially, while others are listening.
Christ is Born!
