Faith that Heals
Opening Prayer
Father God, I pray today with the song that says “Open my eyes, Lord, I want to see Jesus.”
Read Mark 10:46-52
[46] Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the 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. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What did Jesus say was the key to this healing?What a contrast to the previous blind man we read about! Here is Bartimaeus, who knows full well that he’s blind, knows that Jesus is the one who can do something to help him, and won’t let anyone stop him or hold him back. He may lack physical sight, but there’s nothing wrong with his spiritual vision. He’s clear about what he wants Jesus to do for him, and his faith that Jesus can heal him results in more steps of faith as he follows Jesus straight away, seeing exactly where to go.
Life often throws up situations when it’s impossible for us to see what direction to follow. Instead of floundering about, the right thing to do is to acknowledge this and our blindness, and keep calling, as Bartimaeus did, for Jesus’ help. He wasn’t put off by the crowd telling him to be quiet—he kept calling until he received the help he knew Jesus would give, until he could see the way ahead. It may sometimes be like that for us, too: having to wait some time before seeing answers to prayer—but faith in Jesus is never misplaced.
Apply
Bring to Jesus today anything you are concerned about. Ask him to give you perseverance in prayer, and faith to keep believing.
Closing prayer
Lord, keep me strong and growing in my faith. Let nothing weaken my trust in You.
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