One of my favorite miracle stories is when blind Bartimaeus
persistently cried out for Christ to heal him. People around him were disturbed
by his insistence and told him to be quiet, but determined not to be hushed, he
cried out even more!
[Is this how we
are when we approach Christ? I think it should be, for we should pray with a
determination that will not be denied! In one of my favorite books, Christ Object Lessons, we are told, “There is no danger that the Lord will neglect the prayers of His
people. The danger is that in temptation and trial they will fail to persevere
in prayer.”[i]
What a profound lesson we can learn from blind Bartimaeus and his example.]
Finally, after allowing Bartimaeus to cry out for a brief
time, Christ called him to come. Of course, before blind Bartimaeus had even
begun to call, Christ had seen the desire of his heart. He didn’t need
Bartimaeus to tell Him what he wanted—it was obvious to all. However, Christ
wants us to be specific in our request. He wants us to ask and tell Him what we need. And so Christ asked the blind
man, “What do you want me to do for you?” Blind Bartimaeus responded, “I want
to see!” It was as simple as that. And in that one simple request we find an
example of one of the greatest prayers ever prayed, for it encompasses the
essence of all of our spiritual need. If only God would open our eyes and we
would truly see…see our need, and see Him as He is, how different our lives
would be.
Jesus must have smiled at blind Bartimaeus and his faith,
for while he could not yet see, he believed. “Go thy way, thy faith hath made
thee whole!” Jesus responded, and immediately Bartimaeus received his sight.
(See Mark 10:46-52)
But did Bartimaeus simply go his way? No! Once Christ opened
his eyes, he could go no other way. And he continued to follow Jesus. At least he could see!
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