Mark 10:46-52 - And they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart. Get up; He is calling you." And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Rabbi, let me recover my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he recovered his sight and followed Him on the way.

Sometimes there's value in being annoying. The blind man sitting on the side of the road was definitely annoying people with his calling out to Jesus. But how wonderfully he was repaid! Jesus called him, asked him what he wanted, and he had his reply all ready: "Let me recover my sight." And Jesus gave him what he asked.

Sometimes I think I must be annoying to God. I trip and fall for the same temptations, again and again and again—and then I ask for forgiveness, again and again and again. I bring up the same prayer requests again and again and again. If I were God, I would drive me crazy.

But Jesus is not like me. He hears the clamor from the side of the road and He stops. He has plenty of time for anyone who asks, even a beggar—even me. Even you! And look at what a lovely, straightforward conversation He had with this man. He treats him with respect; He gives him what He needs; and He sets him free to go about his life. "Go your way," Jesus says.

Can anyone be surprised at what the man did next? He promptly decided that Jesus' way was his way, too! Whatever way Jesus was going, that was the path for him. And so he "followed Him on the way."

That's the path for us, too, isn't it? We want to follow this Man, this God, who treats us with loving respect, no matter how annoying we are, no matter how little we deserve help. We want to follow the One who loves us, who gives us what we need—up to and including His own suffering and death on a cross. We matter to Him, and so He matters to us.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for giving us what we need through Your death and resurrection. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. Does it annoy you when other people say the same things again and again? Why?

2. Do you ever worry about annoying God? If so, how?

3. When has God treated you with compassion and courtesy, even if you did not expect it?

Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 7-8, 26    Acts 28

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