Open Your Eyes
Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (Mark 10:46-52)
Bringing miraculous change to people’s lives is what Jesus is all about. Perhaps there is no better example than the story we read above. The story begins in the city of Jericho as Jesus and His disciples are making there way up to Jerusalem for the Passover. This was immediately prior to his triumphal entry the week prior to his crucifixion. At this time a large crowd was following Him. It wasn’t uncommon for distinguished rabbis to travel with an entourage and to teach as they walked. But this group was probably much larger than usual due to the recognition Jesus possessed as a result of his teaching and healing ministry. As they made their way through the city they had a very interesting encounter with a blind man.
Now for Bartimaeus, the day began like any other day. Waking up, he shook the straw from his shabby, torn garments, stretched, got to his feet and began tapping his way along the familiar turns which led to the main gate in Jericho. Perhaps he was able to beg a crust of bread or two at some familiar stops along the way. Arriving at the gate he took his routine place where he drew his greasy tattered cloak tight around him because though it was spring, it took the sun to dispel the chill. As he sat there, just like so many days before, he listened to the city begin to come to life. First there was the sound of a donkey laden with melons for the market, after that several women chatting as they bore pitchers toward the well. Then came the clomp of camel’s hooves and the aroma of fish borne along to market. Soon Jericho was humming and the blind man began droning out his beggar’s cry. “Alms! Alms for the Blind!” A few passersby would occasionally stop and toss a coin into the old wooden cup he had set on the ground before him. With no one else to support him, it was his only means of sustaining himself.
Suddenly the normal rhythm of the morning was disrupted. Bartimaeus tensed and lifted his head. His sensitive ears heard the hubbub of a great crowd approaching. First came young boys running before the crowd, with shrill cries. Then more people began hurrying past the gate talking excitedly. Bartimaeus reaching out asks what is happening. A passerby shouts back “Jesus of Nazareth – the one who heals the lame and lepers and the blind --the one they are calling the Messiah is coming by!” His heart begins to pound, and he was trembling. He had heard of this man, just like everyone else. And although he was at first a skeptic, there were so many stories. He immediately knows, “This – this is my chance – I might never get this chance again!” He hears and feels the crowd passing by in front of him. People are calling to one another. Intermittent hosannas rang out. Others are shouting threats. Then he knows that Jesus is right in front of him, mixed in with the crowd and it would soon be too late! He knew bind beggars were invisible people to the crowd. No one would pay any attention to him. He had to do something quick. The blind beggar struggles to get to his feet – no easy task with so many people around him. It is almost impossible for him to stand but he finds a fence post he can use to steady himself. There is nothing else to do except shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” People around him are annoyed by this bothersome distraction. “Shut up, beggar!” He doesn’t pay any attention to them. “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Someone shouts back at him, “Be quiet beggar! If you don’t stop, you are going to need some mercy!” He recognized the voice of a person who sometimes would drop a coin at his feet. The problem was, “Do I keep quiet to keep the favor of others, or do I make as much noise as possible until I get Jesus’ attention?” He chose the latter. In desperation, he cried out with as much passion as an old blind man could muster, “Son of David! Please, have mercy on me!”
All the activity suddenly stops. Jesus has stopped walking down the street - everyone grew strangely quiet. All eyes are focused on Jesus to see what he is going to do in response to the beggar. He looks back at the beggar half-standing, half-struggling to stand up straight. The look of desperation is easy for everyone to see. In that strangely calm moment Jesus speaks. He says, “Call him.” Time almost seems to stand still as the blind beggar begins to work his way towards Jesus. The crowd parts as he feels his way along the street with his walking stick. Someone steps forward and begins to help him manipulate his way through the parted crowd. The crowd watches this strange sight – not really knowing what to anticipate. Then finally he stood in front of Jesus. The moth-eaten ragged clothing is hanging from his body. The smell of the street, and his own sweat – the smells of the market place and the animal dung on the road are all mixing together. People are pushing in against one another to get a better view. The eerie quietness continues as everyone waits to see how this extraordinary scene is going to play out.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asks. Bartimaeus’ heart was now pounding within his chest. What a painting this would make! Jesus, with the most penetrating eyes ever, face to face with the unseeing, sightless beggar in front of him. Bartimaeus knew exactly what his need was. He stretches a shaking hand out towards Jesus. With tears streaming down his face he haltingly says, “Rabbi, I want to see.” He seizes the one and only opportunity to get his need met. Then comes what were undoubtedly the sweetest words ever to fall upon his trained ears, “Go – your faith has healed you.” The Bible says that immediately he received his sight. He opened up his eyes and looked into the face of God the Son.
Bringing miraculous change to people’s lives is what Jesus is all about. Bartimaeus was blind. But he had enough vision to see that he needed Jesus Christ more than anything else in life. He had enough vision to see that he needed the grace of God. Do you? Do you realize how much grace you need in life or do you just think you can go through life on your own? There were many people around Bartimaeus that day that had perfectly good eyes, but they were still spiritually blind. Spiritual blindness is far worse than physical blindness. Bartimaeus had vision enough to see his healing and deliverance could only come from the Lord. He called to the Lord and his eyes were opened.
The same power and grace that opened Bartimaeus’ eyes is available to you today. If you have eyes to see your desperate need and call to Jesus – The Shepherd of your Soul will hear your cry and heal that broken area in your life. Open your eyes to the beauty of His healing and His grace.
Live the Victorious Life,
PT
Bringing miraculous change to people’s lives is what Jesus is all about. Perhaps there is no better example than the story we read above. The story begins in the city of Jericho as Jesus and His disciples are making there way up to Jerusalem for the Passover. This was immediately prior to his triumphal entry the week prior to his crucifixion. At this time a large crowd was following Him. It wasn’t uncommon for distinguished rabbis to travel with an entourage and to teach as they walked. But this group was probably much larger than usual due to the recognition Jesus possessed as a result of his teaching and healing ministry. As they made their way through the city they had a very interesting encounter with a blind man.
Now for Bartimaeus, the day began like any other day. Waking up, he shook the straw from his shabby, torn garments, stretched, got to his feet and began tapping his way along the familiar turns which led to the main gate in Jericho. Perhaps he was able to beg a crust of bread or two at some familiar stops along the way. Arriving at the gate he took his routine place where he drew his greasy tattered cloak tight around him because though it was spring, it took the sun to dispel the chill. As he sat there, just like so many days before, he listened to the city begin to come to life. First there was the sound of a donkey laden with melons for the market, after that several women chatting as they bore pitchers toward the well. Then came the clomp of camel’s hooves and the aroma of fish borne along to market. Soon Jericho was humming and the blind man began droning out his beggar’s cry. “Alms! Alms for the Blind!” A few passersby would occasionally stop and toss a coin into the old wooden cup he had set on the ground before him. With no one else to support him, it was his only means of sustaining himself.
Suddenly the normal rhythm of the morning was disrupted. Bartimaeus tensed and lifted his head. His sensitive ears heard the hubbub of a great crowd approaching. First came young boys running before the crowd, with shrill cries. Then more people began hurrying past the gate talking excitedly. Bartimaeus reaching out asks what is happening. A passerby shouts back “Jesus of Nazareth – the one who heals the lame and lepers and the blind --the one they are calling the Messiah is coming by!” His heart begins to pound, and he was trembling. He had heard of this man, just like everyone else. And although he was at first a skeptic, there were so many stories. He immediately knows, “This – this is my chance – I might never get this chance again!” He hears and feels the crowd passing by in front of him. People are calling to one another. Intermittent hosannas rang out. Others are shouting threats. Then he knows that Jesus is right in front of him, mixed in with the crowd and it would soon be too late! He knew bind beggars were invisible people to the crowd. No one would pay any attention to him. He had to do something quick. The blind beggar struggles to get to his feet – no easy task with so many people around him. It is almost impossible for him to stand but he finds a fence post he can use to steady himself. There is nothing else to do except shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” People around him are annoyed by this bothersome distraction. “Shut up, beggar!” He doesn’t pay any attention to them. “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Someone shouts back at him, “Be quiet beggar! If you don’t stop, you are going to need some mercy!” He recognized the voice of a person who sometimes would drop a coin at his feet. The problem was, “Do I keep quiet to keep the favor of others, or do I make as much noise as possible until I get Jesus’ attention?” He chose the latter. In desperation, he cried out with as much passion as an old blind man could muster, “Son of David! Please, have mercy on me!”
All the activity suddenly stops. Jesus has stopped walking down the street - everyone grew strangely quiet. All eyes are focused on Jesus to see what he is going to do in response to the beggar. He looks back at the beggar half-standing, half-struggling to stand up straight. The look of desperation is easy for everyone to see. In that strangely calm moment Jesus speaks. He says, “Call him.” Time almost seems to stand still as the blind beggar begins to work his way towards Jesus. The crowd parts as he feels his way along the street with his walking stick. Someone steps forward and begins to help him manipulate his way through the parted crowd. The crowd watches this strange sight – not really knowing what to anticipate. Then finally he stood in front of Jesus. The moth-eaten ragged clothing is hanging from his body. The smell of the street, and his own sweat – the smells of the market place and the animal dung on the road are all mixing together. People are pushing in against one another to get a better view. The eerie quietness continues as everyone waits to see how this extraordinary scene is going to play out.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asks. Bartimaeus’ heart was now pounding within his chest. What a painting this would make! Jesus, with the most penetrating eyes ever, face to face with the unseeing, sightless beggar in front of him. Bartimaeus knew exactly what his need was. He stretches a shaking hand out towards Jesus. With tears streaming down his face he haltingly says, “Rabbi, I want to see.” He seizes the one and only opportunity to get his need met. Then comes what were undoubtedly the sweetest words ever to fall upon his trained ears, “Go – your faith has healed you.” The Bible says that immediately he received his sight. He opened up his eyes and looked into the face of God the Son.
Bringing miraculous change to people’s lives is what Jesus is all about. Bartimaeus was blind. But he had enough vision to see that he needed Jesus Christ more than anything else in life. He had enough vision to see that he needed the grace of God. Do you? Do you realize how much grace you need in life or do you just think you can go through life on your own? There were many people around Bartimaeus that day that had perfectly good eyes, but they were still spiritually blind. Spiritual blindness is far worse than physical blindness. Bartimaeus had vision enough to see his healing and deliverance could only come from the Lord. He called to the Lord and his eyes were opened.
The same power and grace that opened Bartimaeus’ eyes is available to you today. If you have eyes to see your desperate need and call to Jesus – The Shepherd of your Soul will hear your cry and heal that broken area in your life. Open your eyes to the beauty of His healing and His grace.
Live the Victorious Life,
PT
posted by Larry | 8:10 PM
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