跟随基督的脚踪
马可福音十章46至52节
46到了耶利哥，耶稣同门徒并许多人出耶利哥的时候，有一个讨饭的瞎子，是底买的儿子巴底买，坐在路旁。
47他听见是拿撒勒的耶稣，就喊着说：“大卫的子孙耶稣啊，可怜我吧！”
48有许多人责备他，不许他做声。他却越发大声喊着说：“大卫的子孙哪，可怜我吧！”
49耶稣就站住，说：“叫过他来。”他们就叫那瞎子，对他说：“放心！起来，他叫你啦。”
50瞎子就丢下衣服，跳起来，走到耶稣那里。
51耶稣说：“要我为你做甚么？”瞎子说：“拉波尼（注：就是夫子），我要能看见！”
52耶稣说：“你去吧，你的信救了你了。”瞎子立刻看见了，就在路上跟随耶稣。
信息分享
在这期间发生了几件动人的事。当中包括有些父母带着小孩子来到基督跟前，接受祂的祝福，我们听见祂说：「让小孩子到我这里来……」此外，基督还在路上遇见那位「少年的财主」。
有些评鉴学者认为，福音书记载基督来到耶利哥的部份，好像有出错的地方。路加记载祂遇见一个瞎子；马太却提到两个。当中的差异其实不难解释：路加记载基督进入耶利哥城发生的事；其他两卷福音书，马太和马可，则记载基督离开该城时发生的事。除了这个解释之外，极有可能巴底买身边还有另一个瞎子，但或许巴底买说话较多，他的祈求也较突出。
与基督同行的人群中，竟然有人斥责那名瞎子住声，不准他骚扰基督，实在令人感到诧异；他们挡在基督与有需要的人中间。我们今天是否也有这样的情形呢？我们的言行举止有时会否阻碍有需要的人呢？我们必须认真反省。
纵然人群非常嘈杂，但基督仍然听见那人的呼求。当灵魂向祂呼求的时候，无论何时何地，祂总是能听见。感谢神祂仍能满足人的每个需要；时至今天，祂仍开启那些被罪所蒙蔽的心眼，让他们看见基督就是生命之光。
经文的最后一节意义非常重大：「他就在路上跟随耶稣。」若知道他究竟跟了多远一定很有意思。他一直跟到耶路撒冷吗？他是基督最后改变的人中的一个吗？无论如何，我们将来会在天堂见到他。那将会是个何等快乐的日子啊！
FOLLOWING CHRIST’S FOOTSTEPS
Mark 10:46-52
46 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.
47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.
Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”
50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”
52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.
Message
Several beautiful incidents happened in this period. This is when parents brought young children to Him to be blessed by Him and we heard these words, “Suffer the children to come...” Also Christ met up with the “rich young ruler” while on this journey.
Critics have found fault with the Gospel records concerning Christ’s visit to Jericho. Luke mentions one blind man. Matthew mentions two men. The explanation is simple. Luke records an incident as Christ entered Jericho. The other two Gospels, Matthew and Mark, speak of Christ leaving the city. Also, there could easily have been another man with Bartimaeus but perhaps Bartimaeus was the more vocal and so was more prominent in His appeal.
It seems strange that some of those in the crowd walking with Christ should tell this blind man to be quiet and not to bother Christ. They stood between Christ and a man in need. Could this apply to us today? Is it possible that at times people in need have been hindered somehow by our lives or our actions? This is a serious thought.
But Christ heard his call, above the din of the crowd. He always hears when a soul calls out to Him, anywhere, anytime. And thank God He can still meet each need. He can still open eyes blinded by sin so that one can see Christ as the light of life.
The last words of our reading are very significant. “He followed Jesus along the road.” It would be interesting to know how far he went. Did he go all the way to Jerusalem? Was he one of Christ’s last converts? It could well be. He is another person we can meet in Heaven. What a wonderful day that will be!