Mark 10:46-52
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

The story of blind Bartimaeus is a favorite story I remember from Sunday school days. In spite of the rebuke of others, Bartimaeus persisted in his request to come to Jesus, asking for mercy and healing from his blindness. Jesus responded to him when he named his specific request, saying his faith had healed him.

Sometimes I think many people who are suffering in the world want to seek Jesus and cry out to him, but they hear voices of rebuke, telling them to be quiet, perhaps encouraging them to seek spiritual help anywhere but in Jesus. Because Bartimaeus was persistent and didn't heed these voices, he was able to come to Jesus for healing. Jesus asked him to name exactly what he wanted, and he received it.

As we look around, we should seek to help those who are trying to find Jesus, but can't because of the conflicting voices they hear in the crowd. "There are many ways to God" is heard so often in our culture--but as believers we know that Jesus is the only way to God. And when we come to him, we can name our specific requests--he is able to give us what we ask according to the will of the Father, whether it's healing physically blind eyes or spiritually darkened one. He can bring light and restoration to all who come to him sincerely.

- posted by Suzi @ 8:17 AM