Make Some Noise

“He shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’”  Mark 10:48

Am I the only one who can’t scream in dreams?  More often than not, when I’m having a nightmare about some horrible happening, my mouth just won’t make noise. Though I try with all my might to alert others to the horror, no one seems to hear.

I wonder if Bartimaeus felt the same way as day after day, year after year, he sat by the road blind and begging.  Unable to hold a job or have a family, Bartimaeus was dependent on the pity of those who passed by.  Many traveled that path, for his keen ears heard their hurried footsteps, and his outstretched hands waited in hopes of a spare coin.  

Then suddenly, somehow, on a day as dark to him as the many before, the commotion increased.  Sounds began to swell, and he could sense excitement in the air.  “What’s going on?” he asked.  “What’s happening?”  “It’s Jesus!” someone said.  “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by!”  

As soon as he heard those words, Bartimaeus began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”(Mk 10:47).  Over and over, the phrase poured out of his mouth, a swelling surge of desperation and desire.  Those crowded around, craning to catch a glimpse of the famous teacher, called for him to calm down.  “Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet”(Mk 10:48), but their indignation only increased his intensity. “He shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’”(Mk 10:48). Bartimaeus’ only hope of ever having sight was near enough to hear his howls, and he wasn’t going down without a fight.

Then suddenly, somehow, his desperate cry reached divine ears, and “Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him’”(Mk 10:49).   Those nearby shared the good news, “Cheer up!  On your feet!  He’s calling you”(Mk 10:49), and Bartimaeus couldn’t scramble to stand fast enough.  “Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus”(Mk 10:50).  Before Bartimaeus could speak, Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”(Mk 10:51), and without hesitation Bartimeaus answered, “Rabbi, I want to see”(Mk 10:51).  

Then suddenly, somehow, the most delightful words he had ever heard reached his ears—“Your faith has healed you,” and the most beautiful sight he could ever see was before his brand-new eyes—Jesus.  “Immediately Bartimaeus received his sight and followed Jesus along the road(Mk 10:52).  

What if he had let fear keep him quiet?  What if he had let shame shut him up?  Bartimaeus would have spent the rest of his days in despair when the help he needed and, more importantly, the Helper he needed were in within earshot.  

Sometimes our despair drives us to stay silent, but don’t. No matter how you got where you are, never be too ashamed to shout and never be too afraid to ask.  Even when you think no one is listening, God hears your cries and He will help. 

God always already knows what we need, but when we make some noise, suddenly, somehow, the wonderful words, “Cheer up!  On your feet!  Jesus is calling you!” will come our way and change our day—and a whole lot more if we will open our mouths.