4/17/21

"And it came to pass, that as he was coming into Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
And hearing the multitude pass by, asked what it meant.
And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me." (Luke 18:35-38)
This great passage of scripture has inspired many to confess their sin, and call upon Jesus for His saving grace.
At the entrance of Jericho, sat a man, who was poor, blind, and begging. In Mark's gospel, he tells us his name was Bartimaeus.
He heard a noisy and excited multitude walk past him as he sat by the road. When he asked what was going on, someone told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, and entering Jericho.
Upon hearing Jesus' name, he began calling him. "...Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me." (v. 38)
That should be the plea of every soul! It will be acknowledged by our Lord!
Whenever I read this passage, i think of an old American-made hymn, "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior". It was written by Fanny Crosby in the spring of 1868. She, too was blind! She wrote more than 8,000 hymns of praise to God.
She told the story that inspired this hymn. She was at a prison, ministering to the inmates. She told stories from the Bible, and she sang some hymns. She also recited some poetry that she had written.
Somewhere in the crowd of inmates, one who had become overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit, called out, "O Lord, do not pass me by!"
After the meeting was over, she wrote down the words of this great hymn.
"Pass, me not, O gentle Saviour,
Hear my humble cry.
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
Let me at Thy throne of mercy,
Find a sweet relief.
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help mine unbelief.
Saviour, Saviour,
Hear my humble cry.
While on others thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek thy face,
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace."
Almost two years after writing those great words, William H. Doane wrote the melody for it. Finally, it became a song!
Bartimaeus sat by the roadside, begging. When he heard that Jesus was passing by, he cried out for His mercy, and His help.
The response is always the same! Jesus stopped! And he commanded them to bring him forward.
Mark said it this way, "...Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee." (Mark 10:49)
From my heart to your heart.