Walking The Road With Jesus (Mk. 10:46-52) (Part 5)

BARTIMAEUS' WALK WAS A DEFINED WALK.  His input about the route, incline and pace wasn't solicited.

There was a specific road that Bartimaeus walked.

• It was an uphill road.  Remember, it was a 15-mile ascent to Jerusalem.
• It was a dangerous road.  We know this from Jesus' story about the Good Samaritan (Lu. 10:30-37). “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead.” (Lu. 10:30)
• It was a chosen road. Bartimaeus didn't choose the road; Jesus did.

There was a specific pace that Bartimaeus walked.  He kept in step with the pace that Jesus set. Whatever else you do, stay close beside Jesus!

• Don't get ahead of Him. That's how you end up with regret.
• Don't lag behind Him. That's how you end up with discouragement.
• Do walk alongside Him. That's how you end up with joy.

When you walk side by side with Jesus, you'll be . . .

• Close enough to experience His blessing.
• Close enough to hear His teaching.
• Close enough to receive His wisdom.
• Close enough to discern His will.
• Close enough to sense His direction.
• Close enough to know His heart.

There was a specific destination to which Bartimaeus walked.  He was going where Jesus was going. Where, exactly, was Jesus going? He was going to Jerusalem.

• He was not going to an oasis, a campground or a spa.
• He was not going there to get pampered but to get pummeled.

Walking with Jesus is an invitation to die! “And He was saying to them all, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.'” (Lu. 9:23)