But he cried out all the more.

Mark 10:46-48, 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!”

We see two things here, first, those around Jesus seemingly think they need to protect him, as when they rebuked those bringing children to him. Second, we see the importunate blind man, pleading for the master’s recognition as did the Syro-Phoenician woman. Jesus had compassion on this man and proclaimed “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” How dedicated are we in coming to him? Are we allowing others to turn us away? And why were there not others following Jesus who were joining this blind man to cry out for Jesus to hear this call for his mercy?

Give us this same holy importunate attitude not only for ourselves but for others who need your touch!

ESV Lectionary