And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. Luke 18:37
What a day for Bartimaeus! As far as we know, this poor blind man had sat by the same wayside near the entrance to the city of Jericho every day for years, hoping for a few coins from sympathetic passers-by, dependent for his livelihood on the generosity of others. But this day started out differently. Instead of a trickle of traffic flowing in and out of the city, there was a rush out of the city of people heading toward the clamour of a crowd approaching from the north. As the crowd drew closer, Bartimaeus wondered at the cause, because this was unusual indeed. At first, he was merely curious as to what was interrupting the sameness of his existence. But there was a sense of urgency among those who flowed past him, so his curiosity expanded into concern as well. A large crowd could be dangerous for a blind man who could not get out of the way, even as it brought opportunities for more alms from more people. So he asked for a meaning. The answer shocked him into action. Just like it should shock us into action today.
Our text contains within it a very powerful Gospel message, and many Gospel preachers have used it to great effect. Nineteenth century hymn writer Etta Campbell made this text the centre of her powerful Gospel hymn: What means this eager, anxious throng, Which moves with busy haste along? These wondrous gatherings day by day, What means this strange commotion pray? In accents hushed the throng reply: ‘Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.’ The message to sinners is both that of opportunity and warning. The opportunity is that the Lord Jesus, with His great offer of salvation, is inviting sinners to Himself. The good news is that He came into the world to save sinners, providing redemption through His precious blood that was shed at Calvary. The warning is that this opportunity for salvation is passing by, and that this day of salvation is rapidly coming to a conclusion. The warning is that there is no escape from judgment for those who neglect and reject Jesus of Nazareth who is passing by.
If the message of our text is an opportunity and a warning for sinners, it is no less so for the saints. The great commission that the Lord Jesus gave His disciples was to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature, making disciples. This is our mission, and our opportunity. Some can preach, some can support the preaching, some can pray, some can witness, but we can all help in the furtherance of the Gospel. No greater opportunity faces us than in telling others that there is forgiveness of sins, release from guilt, pardon for wrong, and Heaven for eternity. The warning for us is that this opportunity is passing by. As we consider those around us still in their sins, we have a limited time in which to pray for them, witness to them, and bring them under the sound of the Gospel. Do our loved ones know how urgent the need is for them to hear and heed the Gospel? They won’t know unless we know it and show it.
How sweet the sound, yet how solemn the warning, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by! -Jim MacIntosh