It is the end of another season of the school year here. Many are coming into the “free” time of summer. Sometimes it means people vegging out . . . and doing nothing. It could also be a time where we take a closer look and talk to God about things that are in the core of our heart. Dale, a friend of ours challenged us with this story about blind Bartimaeus from Mark 10:46-52:
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
46Then 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. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
51“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
52“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
When I hear this story, I think that it is so obvious. That blind man would want to see. Don’t you think that was obvious to Jesus? This man receiving his sight, also meant a total lifestyle change for him. He would have to change everything (no more begging, a real job, and his eyes opened in many other ways.)
