Jesus never rejects a call for mercy.  It was why He came (1 Peter 1:3).  Bartimaeus was a blind beggar.  Despite God's command not to insult or abuse those who are disabled (Leviticus 19:14), the arrogant crowd told the beggar not to shout out to Jesus for mercy (Mark 10:46-48).  But Jesus heard him.  Instead of rejecting him, the Lord called him and treated him with special dignity (Romans 9:25).  The crowd changed their tune when Jesus ordered that Bartimaeus be brought to Him. They even told him to cheer up, despite his most recent grief of being outcast by them.  Knowing that Jesus had personally called him, he threw off clothing which might trip him up (Hebrews 12:1), and rushed to meet Him.

The Master's question may have seemed strange, "What do you want me to do for you?"  Had he not previously begged for mercy?  But now, being accepted by Jesus, was that not mercy enough?  Blindness was seen as a curse in those days because of the individual's or family's sin (John 9:1-2).  To be lifted from the curse would be enough, but he wanted his sight as well.  That was what Jesus wanted to do.  In the same way that the healing of the paralysed man in Mark 2:1-12 was the evidence that Jesus had the power to forgive sins, this man's healing demonstrated the grace which comes through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Having received mercy, Bartimaeus now wanted grace. (Mercy is the withholding of the punishment we do deserve: grace is the gift of what we do not deserve).  For Bartimaeus, mercy brought him close to the Saviour; accepted and not rejected.  He had no right to ask Jesus for healing, but at Jesus' invitation he dared to ask for God's grace in healing.  As the request was granted, he left his begging bowl heaped with abuse, and followed the Lord.

In these days when some churches are encouraged to absorb unrepentant sinners into their Christian community, it may seem strange to suggest that 'calling out to Jesus for mercy' is an essential ingredient of salvation.  But it is.  Perhaps we even minimise our friend's need or even applaud how well they are coping ... when Jesus longs that they cry out for mercy.  Mercy and grace are the divine part of the gospel package.  Only God can grant them, and He will only grant them to those who know their need enough to ask for them (Romans 10:13).