Imagine what it would be like to stop Jesus in his tracks - to feel all the power in the universe zeroed in on you and your problem. Now picture yourself blind. For years you've been marginalized as a banging-a-stick blind beggar, with nothing but a raggedy cloak to keep you warm. 

You squat beside a dusty road when suddenly you hear somebody in a crowd call out "Hey! Here comes Jesus of Nazareth!"

You know what to do. This is no time for socially acceptable behaviors. You have to move fast - so you start moving your mouth, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

The crowd tells you to be quiet - but you don't. You get louder…and LOUDER. That gets Jesus' attention. He stands still, looks around, and calls out for YOU. 

This is the story of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar found in Mark 10:46-52. What was it about Bartimaeus that made Jesus stand still? It was his faith. By faith, he was willing to stand out in a crowd who disapproved - who tried to shut him down. By faith, he trusted Jesus to fix his problem. By faith, he believed in Jesus and called him Lord. By faith, he was willing to let go of his old garment in order to get as close to Jesus as fast as possible, and was blessed to hear Jesus ask, "What do you want me to do?" "Lord, that I might receive my sight," he replied. And Jesus said unto Him, "Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole."