Have mercy on me(1)

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mark 10:47)

Hearing Jesus was passing by, Bartimaeus shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" The name of Jesus is called upon here as ‘Son of David’. According to scholars’ explanation, this name is not relevant to this scene. They contended that this name is related to the deliverance of Israel and the salvation activities for the entire nation and not for the purpose of mere healing of diseases. However, there are other traditional acceptance in connection with this name such as teaching the word and using authority to control evil spirit. We can simply accept that this other name of Jesus embodies the religious confession of early Christians.

The central theme for us to focus on is the pleading “Have mercy on me!” Bartimaeus was placed in an utterly helpless situation expecting Jesus’ help. He could not freely communicate with the Lord. He could not do anything but anxiously waiting for the mercy of the Lord.

You may have pity on Bartimaeus’ status. Yes, he deserved. He was a blind beggar. However there is an advantage that those who have nothing to show up before God may be the happiest person in the world. The soul that hangs one’s destiny on God alone is the purest soul in the world.

May be for us to have such soul is difficult. It is because we have something to show up. Truly speaking, we misunderstand that we have something to show up. Those who have more depend on their achievement in their own way and those who have less also do the same thing.

Yes. The prayer, “Have mercy on me!” is possible only when we bring down everything before God. ““Kyrie Eleison!”” the most precious prayer in Christian tradition rightly indicates this.