Blind Faith

Luke 18:35 - 43

Jesus was walking on the road to Jericho, on the side of the road was the blind man Bartimaeus.
While Jesus was coming up the road, Bartimaeus heard the crowd approaching and asked the people around him what was happening, and they told him that Jesus was passing by. As soon as he heard this he started to cry out to Jesus. The people around Bartimaeus tried to quiet him, but this only made him cry out even louder. Jesus heard the blind man's cry and he stopped walking and commanded that Bartimaeus be brought to him. When he was at Jesus' feet, Jesus asked "What do you want me to do for you?" Bartimaeus said, "Lord, let me recover my sight!" Then Jesus replied, "Recover your sight; your faith has made you well." Immediately he gained his sight and followed Jesus, glorifying God. And all the people that witnessed it gave praise to God.

The first thing I notice is how badly Bartimaeus wants to see and how strong his faith is.
Imagine the emotions flowing through this man. You have heard of Jesus, a traveling teacher that can cast out demons, raise the dead, and heal the sick. It just so happens that this teacher is walking down your road! So Bartimaeus starts yelling,
"Jesus! Son of David, have mercy on me!"
All the people around him are telling him to shut up, but he knows that Jesus can heal him! So he yells even louder!
"Jesus! Son of David, have mercy on me!"

I would ask if we have faith like this? Do I have faith like this? When something comes up in my life, whether it's finances, sickness, relationships or whatever. Do we have the faith to trust that Jesus can fix it? Is He the first place we turn to for help? If not, Why?

Jesus heard Bartimaeus' cries and commanded that he be brought before him. So they brought him to Jesus, and when he was before him, Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?"

Interesting. Jesus asked what Bartimaeus wanted him to do. This guy is blind. He is also a beggar. I'm assuming that when Jesus saw how this guy was dressed he knew he had some issues.
I mean blind and poor, you are very lucky if the colors match. Looking at Bartimaeus, Jesus knew he was blind. So why did he ask? Jesus was asking to see if this man had faith.

"Lord, let me recover my sight!" Jesus says, "Recover your sight, your faith has made you well."
Immediately he was healed. Think of the admiration, his sight returns and the first face he saw was Jesus, his healer.

After he was healed he followed Jesus, glorifying God. All the people that witnessed it were amazed and gave praise to God. Witnessing this miracle built up the faith of all the surrounding people and it brought glory to God. When God does something in your life, tell somebody! Tell lots of people!
It can strengthen their faith and their relationship with God.

To sum it up.

1. Do we have faith in God to take care of us? Are we ready to cry out to him when the world is trying to silence us?

2. God wants to know what we want him to do. He tests our faith.

3. When God does something in your life, tell somebody! It is so encouraging to hear that God is working in the life's of other believers in the community and all over the world! Also, if you share some good news, be ready to listen to what the other person has to say!

Dear God, thank you for your word!
Holy Spirit, thank you for speaking to us!
Jesus, thank you for saving us!

The End.