Blind. Faith.

 

Today I was reading my devotional and part of it was Mark chapter 10, verses 46-52. It is about a man named Bartimaeus. 

The story is that Bartimaeus had been blind from birth. In those days, people believed that the parents had sinned, or that the person born with the infirmity committed a sin prior to birth. Kind of extreme on the prior to birth part, if you ask me. However, we have to remember that scientific advances were not as they are now, although the Greeks were pretty knowledgeable about a great deal, but figuring out why a person was blind was not among their skills.

Generally, when a person was disabled, or had a disease such as leprosy, they would be found in the market places, temples, or on the side of the roads begging for food or money. I know, we still see that a lot on our street corners, but usually they are not blind or have leprosy. When Jesus began His ministry, he came across many who were maimed, disabled, or had diseases, and He healed them. Bartimaeus sticks out for me because of one verse:

Mark 10:50

And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

In my mind's eye I could see his face light up, a massive grin crossing his face and the excitement...Oh, how excited he would have been for the chance to speak with Jesus, and perhaps be healed! I can almost feel the joy, just in that one verse. His heart is racing, and the joy (I know, I've already mentioned that, but it really, really applies), I can't imagine how wonderful it felt! The rest of the chapter describes his interaction with Jesus, and the wonderful results of that brief encounter. 

Can you imagine? Being blind your whole life, and in an instant receiving sight? Having been told that the sky is blue, and actually seeing it for the first time? Seeing the beauty of a bird in flight. Looking at the sand beneath your feet, and perhaps bending down, picking up a handful and looking at it for the first time. And the ultimate gift? Seeing Jesus, face to face. Looking into those wonderful, loving eyes, and knowing, with all of your being, that you are beholding the face of God. Then following Jesus, and seeing the wonders He performs, watching Him, really watching Him, and just being there. For me, the way I might describe as pure joy is when you hold your baby for the first time, or grandbaby. Your wedding day. A feeling of flat out awe, standing on a mountain top and taking in the view before you. Swimming the Great Barrier Reef, and having the fish of the sea swim around you. So many things can give us joy, bring about awe, but none, no not one, could compare with Bartimaeus' experience with the One who takes away our sins...Jesus.

Folks, if you are finding your joy waning, remember Bartimaeus. Throw off the garment of whatever is troubling you, whether it is disease, need, financial, mental or physical issues, and run to Jesus. He is waiting for you to come to Him and ask Him to heal you. Your belief in Him, and the faith to believe He is there for you goes a long way. I'll leave you with the last verse:

52 Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.