Jesus and disciples leaving Jericho, large crowd were following them.
A blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. (v46)
when he hears that it is Jesus of Nazareth passing by, he begins to cry out and says, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (v47)
Even though people around the blind man was shouting "Jesus of Nazareth", the blind man called Him as "“Jesus, Son of David" - Calling with heir reference. Bartimaeus acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah.
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” (v 48)
Even with all the noise around him, he shouted more (probably louder than previous time ), “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Bartimaeus was persistent in calling Jesus (even when crowd told him to be quiet). He did not give up after his first cry of mercy to the Lord Jesus. Though he was not heard the first time, yet he was persistent in his cry until the Lord heard him and answered his prayers.
Have you ever come to Jesus, beg for mercy ?
Jesus Grace
51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Jesus is asking specifically, what do you want ?
Jesus was literally his last hope for his life to change.
Just as Bartimaeus threw off his cloak (his only security), this prayer involves surrendering all other reliances and putting total trust in God's willingness to help.
Mercy is withholding the punishment or judgment a person deserves,
Grace is giving a person blessing or favor they do not deserve.
Jesus meets us right where we are in our spiritual blindness. We beg for mercy and He extends mercy to us. He also shows grace to us.
Real prayer begins with real desire, often with real desperation.
We cry to God, but he does not seem to respond. We are discouraged by circumstances, and sometimes by people, from continuing to ask.
How does God want us to respond to this? He wants us to keep asking and cry out louder!