Dear Friends,
Mark 1-10 could be characterized as a series of incidents in which a person was in a terrible situation, Jesus came, and all was made right, revealing Him to be the promised Messiah. And He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Today’s devotional gives that message. God bless you.

Because of Calvary,
John Janney

• Mark 10:46-52 (ESV)

  46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 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 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

THEN JESUS CAME

“One sat alone beside the highway begging,

His eyes were blind, the light he could not see;

He clutched his rags and shivered in the shadows,

Then Jesus came and bade his darkness flee

From home and friends the evil spirits drove him,

Among the tombs he dwelt in misery,

He cut himself as demon powers possessed him,

Then Jesus came and set the captive free.

“Unclean! unclean!” the leper cried in torment,

The deaf, the dumb, in helplessness stood near;

The fever raged, disease had gripped its victim,

Then Jesus came and cast out every fear.

Their hearts were sad as in the tomb they laid him,

For death had come and taken him away;

Their night was dark and bitter tears were falling,

Then Jesus came and night was turned to day.

So men today have found the Savior able,

They could not conquer passion, lust, and sin;

Their broken hearts had left them sad and lonely,

Then Jesus came and dwelt Himself within.

When Jesus comes, the tempter’s power is broken;

When Jesus comes, the tears are wiped away.

He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory,

For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.”

[Oswald J. Smith]