These were the words of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar as recorded in Mark 10: 51; Luke 18: 41. The full story is in Mark 10: 46-52; Luke 18: 35-43. In summary, Jesus with his disciples were leaving Jericho when Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road side. When he heard Jesus was passing by, he cried for mercy defying all calls on him to shut up. Jesus called him and asked him what he wanted? Bartimaeus answered, Master, let me receive my sight. Jesus said, Go your way; your faith has made you well. Immediately, he received his sight and followed Jesus on the way.
The blindness of Bartimaeus
As a blind man, Bartimaeus lacked awareness of his environment. His state of blindness made him a beggar, helpless, anxious, and dependent on others. In that state, one is sometimes tempted to seek assistance from sources which otherwise he would not. However the nature of our blindness whether physically or spiritually, Christ Jesus is our only source of restoration. When God restores our vision, we must follow him in appreciation as Bartimaeus did when he got healed.
Jesus asked in Luke 6: 39 that can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? Only Jesus can lead the blind. He said in Matthew 11:28 come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. We are all spiritually blind and we need Jesus to lead us and to carry our burden. Only Jesus can lead and show us the way because he said in John 14:6, I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father, but by me. As blind beggars, we need care from Jesus who tells the truth. Psalms 55: 22 says cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Some sources we turn to for help may not be helpful just as Bartimaeus did prior to encountering Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 6: 12; 10: 23 say all things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything [build up]. Blind Bartimaeus turned to Jesus Christ at the earliest opportunity. Genesis 18: 14 says is anything too hard for the Lord? Jeremiah 32: 27 says behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for me? Hebrews 3: 7-8 say today when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness.
Our lost vision and sight
We most need our spiritual sight in perilous times just as Bartimaeus needed his physical sight. We must also cry aloud to Jesus who can restore our lost vision by his light. Jesus said in John 8: 12, I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have light of life. See also John 9: 5. Jesus said in John 12:46, I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. John 1:4 says in him (Jesus Christ) was life, and the life was the light of men.
1 John 1:7 says, but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. Sin is a barrier to our spiritual sight so Jesus always forgave sins whenever he healed. Bartimaeus was oblivious that sin accounted for his blindness. Jesus is waiting to hear our cry in remorse to restore our sight as our spiritual healer just as Bartimaeus did.
An encounter with Jesus Christ
Every encounter with Jesus Christ yields immediate positive results. Blind Bartimaeus had no cure for his blindness until he in faith or belief sought and met Jesus. No matter for how long he was afflicted with blindness, Jesus Christ ended his suffering. James 1:7 says let him who is without faith expect to receive nothing from the Lord. Hebrews 11:6 says, without faith it is impossible to please God.
Bartimaeus had heard of Jesus but had not witnessed him because he was blind. However, with his heart of belief, and with his mouth of true confession of who Christ Jesus was, his sight was restored. Romans 10:9 says if thou shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and shall believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved. Without shyness, he defied all odds aimed at muting his voice, faith or belief, and access to Jesus publicly. We can reach Jesus with fortitude.
Bartimaeus publicly sought for Jesus by his loud cry. Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26 says whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in glory of his Father with the holy angels. Blind Bartimaeus knew in his heart who Jesus was. Jesus said in John 5: 36 the testimony which I have is greater than John; for the works which the Father has granted me to accomplish, these very works which I am doing, bear me witness that the Father has sent me. See also John 10: 25. We must encounter Jesus with personal knowledge and soul searching.
Blockages to confessing Jesus
Paul said in Romans 1: 16 for I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. We must share the gospel to all without shame or shyness because it is the power of God for our salvation through Christ Jesus. Blind Bartimaeus was not afraid of what awaited him from the authorities who had vowed to punish those who accepted Jesus. He repeatedly defied them with a loud cry: Son of David have mercy on me. The cry meant remorse for whatever could be the cause. Do we cry to God with remorse?
Jesus said in Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:4-5 I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him. Jesus also said in Matthew 16:25 for whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Blind Bartimaeus secured back his sight without fear but boldness, unrelenting belief and seriousness. Jesus said to Thomas in John 20:29 blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. Bartimaeus believed even without his sight or seeing, what about us?
Upon encountering Jesus, Bartimaeus threw away all his filthy stuff immediately and followed Jesus. Worldly assets lose their value when we truly encounter Jesus Christ. Luke 9:62 says no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. Matthew 16: 24; Mark 8: 34; Luke 9: 23 say if any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Luke 14: 26 says if any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Do we hold on to the world of filth when Christ Jesus calls? Is Jesus our eternal hope? Christ Jesus is the answer to our blindness.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, like blind Bartimaeus, we have lost our spiritual sight because of our sins. We invite you today into our lives to restore our sight having known who you are. We vacate our filth and avow to follow you in spite of threats. Mercifully hear our cry of remorse in your holy name, Amen!!
