BARTIMAEUS' WALK WAS A DIFFICULT WALK. What made his walk so difficult?
The first thing that made Bartimaeus' walk so difficult was that he
experienced an incline. Bartimaeus realized quickly what we disciples of Jesus today also
realize early on – that walking with Jesus is profitable
though not always pleasurable. The journey from Jericho to Jerusalem was a 15-mile ascent. Though Jesus is always excellent company, walking with Him
is consistently not easy. Jesus Himself warned about persecution that would arise
“because of the Word” (Mt. 13:21). When you walk with Jesus, you are on the stairmaster;
there is no escalator. (That is, until the Rapture happens!)
The second thing that made Bartimaeus' walk so difficult was that he
saw decline. Many people followed Jesus out of Jericho. I wonder, “How many of those who started the walk finished it?” No doubt, some of them did finish and were involved
welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem during the event we know as
'The Triumphal Entry'. Sadly, some who welcomed Him on Sunday would call for
His crucifixion later that week.
In case you haven't experienced this yet, it is a disappointing and
painful thing to watch people start enthusiastically with
Jesus, only to fade out when more convenient options come
along. When this happens, what is a journeyman with Jesus to do? Exactly this – keep your eyes on Jesus and follow Him
wherever He goes. If you don't keep your eyes on Jesus, then you will become
angry, bitter and disillusioned.
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