阅读经文 

“一言以蔽之”（in a nutshell）的意思是用一两句话来概括一个重要的观点。

你是否注意到，这个故事描述巴底买“丢了衣服”这句话中，包含了一个非常重要的细节？

巴底买的衣服可能是他唯一的财产，他需要这衣服来维持他微薄的生活。他是个瞎子，看不到人们经过时可能扔给他的东西，所以他必须把衣服摊在地上，接住他可能收到的零星食物或小硬币。然后他可以在衣服上找到这些东西。换句话说，他需要这件衣服来汇集他的收入。到了晚上，他就把衣服裹在身上取暖，这也是他的床。

当耶稣召唤第一批门徒时，他们抛下一切跟随了祂。（参可 1:16-20，10:28）同样，巴底买在跳起来来到耶稣面前，让他的生命得着改变，并跟随耶稣时，也把他的衣服留在了身后。

这就是“一言以蔽之”的福音。巴底买抛开了带给他安全感的外衣，来到耶稣面前，恢复了视力，并跟随主进入了新的生活。

鼓起勇气吧！（Cheer up! 圣经标准译本）耶稣也在叫你！

The expression “in a nutshell” describes an important point that can be shared in just a few words.

Did you notice that in the phrase about Bartimaeus “throwing his cloak aside,” this story includes a very important detail?

Bartimaeus’s cloak was probably his only possession, and he needed it for his meager life. He was blind and could not see what people might toss to him as they passed by, so he would have to spread his cloak on the ground to catch bits of food or small coins that he might receive. Then he could find them on the cloak. In other words, he needed his cloak in order to gather his income. And at night he would wrap the cloak around his body for warmth. It was his bed.

When Jesus called the first disciples, they left everything behind to follow him (see Mark 1:16-20; 10:28). Similarly, Bartimaeus leaves his cloak behind as he jumps to his feet to come to Jesus, to have his life changed, and to follow Jesus.

This is the gospel in a nutshell. Bartimaeus leaves his security blanket behind as he comes to Jesus, gains his sight, and follows the Lord into a new life. Cheer up! Jesus is calling you too!