Blind Bartimaeus Healed!

Beggars are people we often see in almost every city we go to. Most of us usually pass by these people and not even glance at them. Jesus was walking to Jerusalem with his disciples and a large crowd followed as was always the case. As he walked down the street crowds of people were pressing against him and there was some noise. Through the noise he heard someone shout " Son of David, have mercy on me".

This same Jesus who saw Nathaniel under the tree knew who was calling and what he wanted. He chose to pass this road that day for a specific purpose and that was about to be revealed. Bartimaeus went on shouting at the top of his voice that this seemed to annoy the crowd. The all knowing God clothed in humanity stopped and called forth the blind man to come. This man had probably been begging at this spot for many years and most probably no one ever stopped to give him this much attention. No one ever stopped to ask him what do you want me to do for you.

Jesus looked at him as a father looks at his son who is in pain. His heart broke so see his creation suffering and he longed to free him of his sufferings. By asking " what do you want me to do for you'? Jesus gave us a perfect example of a servant. A few verses prior to this one he had asked Peter and John the same question and their answer was quite different from this one of Bartimaeus.

The sons of thunder had requested to sit on the right and left had side of Jesus in his kingdom. Jesus did not grant this request however Bartimaeus requested for something of greater value, eye sight which he recieved. How many of us are blind today? How many of us sit and don't bother to ask for help. Jesus is willing to open up our eyes that we may behold him. He wants to give our life new meaning but we are too reluctant to ask. Jesus says, " He who comes to me, I will in no way cast out".

For most of us it takes a desperate situation for us to realize we really need Christ in our lives. As long as we have money, a good job, good health and enough friends, we don't see the need of Christ. Peter and John were not able to see their need of Christ because they were with him almost everyday. I have noticed that it is very easy for me to think I don't need to fully rely on Jesus. As a Christian who is already growing in Christ I sometimes think it's OK Jesus I can handle that, however this is when I start to sink. It doesn't take long for me to cry out and say with Bartimaeus, son of David have mercy on me.

In our lives here on earth as a baby grows, it becomes more self reliant. The child starts to walk by themselves, eat by themselves and so on. However as a Christian it is the opposite, we become more reliant on Christ. We commit everything to God and let him lead us. He does everything on our behalf and this is the Christian walk we all ought to follow. The more we know Christ the more we become like children, relying on our father. That reminds me when Jesus said, unless we become like children we cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Be blessed!