A BLIND MAN SEES
Opening Prayer
Jesus, meet with me now, that I may know You more.
Read Mark 10:46–52
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What are you hoping for as you come to Jesus today? What draws you to spend time with Him? What is the longing within?In this story we meet Bartimaeus. We are able to follow his journey from blind beggar to ardent follower of Jesus.
When we first meet him he is sitting on the outskirts of Jericho, begging as usual (46). It was just another day, and his expectations were few, until Jesus came along. Then we hear him shouting (47, 48), calling out to Jesus for help. People tell him to be quiet – he is a nobody and the famous rabbi has no time for him – but Bartimaeus persists: “Son of David, have mercy on me!’
When, to everyone’s surprise, Jesus calls him we see Bartimaeus jumping, throwing of his cloak in his haste to seize the moment (49, 50). He has no hesitation in asking Jesus to heal him. His request is specific: “Rabbi, I want to see.” Because of his faith he is healed (52).
Finally, we see him following, joining Jesus and the others on the discipleship road (52). He has gone from being a man with no hope to becoming a man with a purpose, such is the power of an encounter with Jesus. Happily that same transforming power is still at work today.
Apply
Imagine Jesus asking you today, “What do you want Me to do for you?” How will you answer? Like Bartimaeus, be specific and bold in your request.
Closing prayer
“Rabbi, I want to see” (52). Open the eyes of my spirit to see You more clearly and to know You more deeply.
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