New Life - New Chapter

49So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you. 50And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. 51So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” 52Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road".  Mark 10:49-52  NKJV

Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, heard that Jesus was passing his way and he was determined to see Him, he needed healing. As Jesus went by, he shouted at the top of his voice, 'Son of David, have mercy on me.' He was so persistent that Jesus stopped and called him over and restored his sight.

Notice if you will, verse 50, 'And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.' He probably only had the clothes he was standing in; why throw away his cloak? Because it defined who he was, he was a beggar and beggars wore such cloaks, it was their begging tool. That day, Bartimaeus decided that it was a new chapter of his life. He was determined to see Jesus and he was determined to be given back his sight. It's called faith.

Father David Sawkoski writes:

'It is even more remarkable to me that he leaves his cloak behind – even before Jesus heals him. He recognizes that the cloak – his loyal and faithful companion – is actually an obstacle to real connection. It has hindered him from receiving and will continue hindering if he doesn’t change his ways. More importantly, a desire so intense and deep is welling up in his heart – so strong that it overflows and overpowers his “settling” for survival. He wants to be well!  He intuits that Jesus can give him more – so much more. No doubt, he also hears the whispers of his cloak – warning him that he is making a fool of himself, gently enticing him to hide himself away once again and return to the safety of self-protection. But desire wins the day. Bartimaeus not only cries out all the louder; he actually casts aside his cloak and runs up to Jesus. He wants to see. Jesus heals him. He begins following Jesus.The Cloak of BartimaeusAbiding In Love and Truthhttps://www.abideinlove.com › ...

Bartimaeus' cloak was the sign of his old life, from henceforth he would be following Jesus, his faith showed him a new life, one where he could see and he was going to use his restored sight for Jesus. He was going to dedicate all he had to Him.

Bartimaeus gave up something that had been precious to him - his cloak. In so doing, he entered into a new chapter, the old gone the new here and now. This was not easy for him to do, he had had this cloak all his life but, no matter how painful it was to cast it aside, he knew that a new life with Jesus would begin.

What about you? Is there something you need to give up for the sake of receiving something better from Jesus. Give it some thought and allow the Holy Spirit to pin-point what needs to change. There is something new out there for you.

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today. 

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

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