When Jesus asks the question, are you ready to respond?

Be Like Bart!! Respond to God's request with single-minded certainty!

True story…
Years ago I had a flat top haircut. (please, don't judge me, it was a personal choice, it was the times and I'm not going back to it anytime soon!) And sometimes I would go a little too long between haircuts and the flat top would get a little… taller!

I worked in a small office and one of the other employee's name was Rod. One day a customer called in and asked our receptionist “Could I please speak with Rob?”

Our receptionist Natalie said “Who do you want? We have a BOB here and a ROD here. Which one are you looking for?”
And the voice on the other end said “The guy with the Bart Simpson haircut!”

And for several years after, whenever my hair would get a little long/tall, Natalie or my wife Julie would say to me “You're getting a little Bartish!”

Today I no longer have the flat top (thank goodness!) And rather than becoming like that Bart let's focus on another Bart… or rather a guy named Bartimaeus…

Mark 10:46-52 (NIV) Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. 

From here on let's call Bartimaeus by the nickname “Bart”.

What life lessons can we learn from this Bart?

Bart was stuck in a rut, doing what most beggars were doing. He was sitting along the road, begging. Since this was an exit road out of town there were most likely a number of beggars along this road. People are creatures of habit and often follow the crowd, doing what others do and doing what we’ve always done. We rarely look outside of the box. Maybe Bart was hoping Jesus would be coming down that road or perhaps it was just a coincidence. Either way, he continued doing what he had always done for years.
Bart listened – he was aware of what was going on around him. He didn't let his one “disability” stop him from using his other “abilities”. He heard that it was Jesus coming down the road. He listened to the crowd.
Bart believed in Jesus’ reputation. The crowd used the phrase “Jesus of Nazareth” describing simply to where he was from. But Bart called him “Jesus son of David” recognizing Jesus ancestral heritage as Messiah, and most likely Jesus’ power and authority. Otherwise Bart wouldn't have taken action.
Bart took initiative – he shouted to get Jesus attention! He could have quietly asked in a meek politically correct voice. He could have tried to make his way to the front of the crowd but as a blind man he knew that wouldn't help much. He was desperate for change, he knew this was his one chance and he did what needed to be done – he shouted!
Bart heard complaints. It said that many people reprimanded Bart – told him to shut up. Whether it was other beggars or the following crowd is unclear. Some people will shoot you down when you try to move forward. Plus they said “be quiet” thereby wanting him to stick with the status quo. The naysayers around you will always throw negative trash talk back at you when you try to do something out of the norm.
Bart ignored the negative trash talk and shouted all the more. Why? This was important to him! Forget the status quo, the traditional rules of engagement. He had faith in Jesus and was wanting jesus to male a difference in his life. Persistence and doing things differently were part of Barts plan.
Bart was offered an opportunity. Jesus' disciples said to Bart “Cheer up! On your Feet! He's calling you.” Note that the disciples used a positive, uplifting message asking Bart to take action now!
Bart responded to the call – WITH ENTHUSIASM! He didn't just casually get up or was slow about it – he jumped! Bart threw his cloak aside and jumped to his feet. In those days his cloak was a blind persons' “tool of the trade” helping him to collect alms, donations from passers-by. It marked him with legitimacy. It was his identity, his only way to survive. Bart threw off his cloak which was a major and important part of his life and livelihood. By throwing his cloak aside he was demonstrating one thing – he was tired of his existing way of life!
Bart was offered something. Imagine what it would be like to have Jesus, the perfect God-man who had infinite power and wisdom, ask you ” What do you want me to do for you?” This is the tipping point for Bart, this was do-or-die time, his one shot. Bart was offered something of immeasurable value – BUT HE GETS TO CHOOSE!
Bart mentally made a choice. Now we don't read here that he mentally thought about it or that his brain told him what to choose or what to do next. But Bart did make a choice and he was not double minded. His mind made a firm decision, case closed.
Bart verbalized his choice to Jesus. He didn't stumble or mumble. He didn't stammer or say “uhh…” He knew exactly what he wanted! He was confident and committed to his decision. He not only conveyed his choice, he also conveyed his respect for Jesus when he called him “Rabbi”.
Bart had faith and his actions proved to Jesus he had faith. Otherwise he wouldn't have done what he did. And the results would not have occurred without faith (see Matthew 13:58) Jesus even said to Bart “your faith…” So obviously Bart was not double-minded but truly believed in Jesus ability to give him what he wanted.
Bart received his sight. He received exactly what he asked for – nothing more, nothing less. There is an old saying “Be careful what you pray for – you might just get it”.
Bart followed Jesus. Jesus was Bart's source of new life, of power, of identity. He wanted to be around Jesus more! That will be a natural response when someone does something great and significant in our lives. When someone offers us something of great value and we receive it, we want to be around that person even more!

Conclusion: How to be like Bart

So where are you in your “Bart life” journey?

• Are you stuck in a rut, consistently doing what you have always done?
• Are you listening, seeing, aware of what was going on around you?
• Are you taking initiative – loudly, forcefuly?
• Are you hearing complaints and negatives?
• Are you ignoring the complaints and the negative suggestions and moving forward anyway?
• Are you hearing the encouraging positive calling from your Savior?
• Are you responding to that call WITH ENTHUSIASM?
• Are you really hearing what Jesus is offering you?
• Are you making a firm mental choice, not being wishy-washy?
• Are you verbalizing your choice to Jesus in prayer?
• Do you have even a little faith that God can do it?
• Are you ready to receive what you ask of God?
• Are you willing to follow your Savior along the path of life?

Where are you today on this journey? Would love to hear your comments below.