“And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.” It's almost a throwaway line. It would be easy to just gloss over it. But for some reason it jumps out to me. He threw off his cloak. His cloak that he used to cover himself. His cloak that he spread out on the ground to catch any coins that people might throw his way. HIS CLOAK. As a blind man it may have been his only source of security. In some ways it is a source of his identity... And he threw it off! Though he was physically blind…Bartimaeus, with the eyes of faith “saw” in Jesus something that no earthly cover could offer. And he threw off the cloak that had covered, defined, and provided for him so he could come to Jesus. What are the cloaks that you and I cling to? Is there something that we are holding on to that give us a sense of security…identity…safety…power? What might happen if we were to “throw” off our cloaks? What if we were cast aside those things that represent our own “blindness?” Throw it off! Take heart…the Master is calling you. Spring up and come to Jesus!
Blessings,
Matthew+ Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. | 
