To See Or Not To See



As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” Then he shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed 0him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.

 

You undoubtedly know the story of Thomas, the apostle, who doubted Jesus had risen from the dead. He said he wanted to see the nail marks in Jesus’ hands and put his finger in Jesus’ side before he believed the story (see John 20:25). Jesus appeared to Thomas and allowed the apostle to clear his doubts, but then said: “You have believed because you have seen me; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29). The beggar in today’s story illustrates this truth. This beggar—Mark tells us his name is Bartimaeus (see Mark 10:46-52) — literally cannot see, but he believes and is blessed for it. 

 

It is a story of tremendous faith that I wish all of us had, because as Scripture tells us: “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).  Bartimaeus sought Jesus and was rewarded for it. He was also persistent in his seeking. Ignoring the people around him who kept telling him to shut up, he continued pleading—loudly—until Jesus took notice of him. Sometimes, we feel that Jesus doesn’t hear our cries, but he wants to see if we get discouraged and give up, or continue to seek him.

 

People might try to stop us from doing this, just like they did with Bartimaeus. Why do they do this? Paul said that: “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4). These unbelievers are also blind, but spiritually. Bad enough they don’t seek the light, they try to prevent others from seeking it too. Let us not let them intimidate us or put us off because great — and eternal — is the reward for those who find Jesus. 

 

Jesus always hears our cries and is ready to help us. There was a huge crowd following Jesus and they were obviously noisy as crowds tend to be. Very often we can’t hear ourselves think over the noise. But Jesus heard Bartimaeus and asked that the beggar be brought before him. He knew the man wanted to be healed but, nonetheless, he asked the blind beggar: “What do you want me to do for you?” Why ask the obvious? Because there is power in the spoken word, and vocalizing something serves to energize faith. It also helps to identify what the person really wants.

 

Let us go to Jesus today in faith, and not let anybody dissuade us from doing so. He wants to give us sight.

 

Watch a video of this reflection by clicking here: https://youtu.be/tQRr0JCCrPQ

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