Bartimaeus is one of my favorite people in the Bible. I love the passage in Mark that speaks of him (Mark 10:46-52.) You should read it now. Go ahead. I’ll wait.
Pretty good stuff, huh? There are several life lessons that can be taken from these few verses. 
Life Lesson #1: Now is the time…
Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. – Mark 10:46
Bartimaeus was defined by his blindness. No one saw anything else when they looked at him. Truth be told, most people didn’t even look at him.
It must have been a bit crazy that day. Can you imagine the noise, the talking, and the shuffling of feet? After all, a multitude of people were following Jesus’ every move through the city. But, for Bartimaeus, it was business as usual. Until…
When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” – Mark 10:47
Bartimaeus had surely heard the stories of this man called Jesus. He must have listened and wondered. He was just desperate enough to believe the stories may be true.
Surely, among a group so large, there were others in need of healing. There must have been individuals who were suffering from illnesses or who had sick loved ones. How many of them were lonely and searching for something more in their lives? There were people that day that stood in the presence of the Almighty, the Comforter, the Healer and they let him pass by. Maybe they were too embarrassed. Maybe they thought there would be other opportunities. If so, they were wrong. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, then Bethany and then Gethsemane. Jesus was on His way to the cross.
Bartimaeus knew that now was the time.
And, for us today, now is the time.
Now is the time to step out in service. It is time to do whatever act of service the Lord has been calling you to do.
Now is the time to step out in faith and do that thing that you know in your heart you’re called to do.
Now is the time to say, I’m not going to be afraid anymore.
Now is the time to leave it all behind and follow Him.
Go on that mission trip. Teach that class. Take that job. Adopt that child.
Take up your cross and follow Him…
Because the time is now.
