Do You Still Believe? (Mark 10:49-52)
"When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road." Mark 10:47-52
We all face difficulties in life, some of which are merely cosmetic or superficial. However, sometimes there are serious issues we live with that over time make us feel as of God isn't really paying attention or isn't all that concerned about where we live.
Enter Bartimaeus. Born blond he spent his years begging on the street since society had made it clear he wasn't good for much else. Occasionally he would be pitied by a stranger and get a handout to get him by another day.
Enter Jesus. On His way out of town the rustle of the crowd awakened Bartimaeus to a commotion nearby. Asking those around him what was happening he overheard the name Jesus and quickly mustered all the volume he could and began calling out to the "Son of David" for mercy.
What a scene. A blind beggar "begging" for help from a poor carpenter from Nazareth. But from all he had heard, Bartimaeus believed that Jesus had to be more than just a man.
It was a pretty bold move. Publicly proclaiming that Jesus was THE coming Son of David, THE Messiah. But when you've got nothing to lose, boldness, determination, and persistence just come with the territory.
Amazingly enough, his call for help gets Jesus' attention. And then Jesus pops the question, "What do you want me to do for you?"
Really?
I'm no prophet Jesus but I've got a feeling that the blind man wants to SEE.
But remember, whenever Jesus asks a question He's not looking for information. Jesus was fishing for faith, which spoke volumes since Bartimaeus had just asked Jesus to do the impossible.
We may not be blind but often find ourselves in need feeling as if God has taken no notice and has no plans to intervene. Many times we don't even ask for the impossible because it's exactly that- IMPOSSIBLE. Consequently, "we have not because we ask not" (James 4:2) and we use the fact that, "our heavenly Father knows our needs" (Matthew 6:32) as an excuse to stop asking.
But Jesus, who is "forever interceding on our behalf" (Hebrews 7:25) and knows our needs still asks us, "What do you want me to do for you?"
It's not that God is ever unaware of our needs. But at time He waits to answer us to test our faith simply to see whether or not we truly believe in His ability to do the impossible.
The true test of our faith sometimes is seen only in the persistence of our asking. That's why Jesus encourages us to, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8).
God promises us that, "....At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up". The key, however, is this, "Let us not get tired of doing right" (Galatians 6:9).
In the meantime, hang in there and choose to believe despite your circumstances that God knows where you are and that He still can and will do the impossible if we won't fail to keep asking.
It's not IF God will answer, it's only a matter of WHEN.
We all face difficulties in life, some of which are merely cosmetic or superficial. However, sometimes there are serious issues we live with that over time make us feel as of God isn't really paying attention or isn't all that concerned about where we live.
Enter Bartimaeus. Born blond he spent his years begging on the street since society had made it clear he wasn't good for much else. Occasionally he would be pitied by a stranger and get a handout to get him by another day.
Enter Jesus. On His way out of town the rustle of the crowd awakened Bartimaeus to a commotion nearby. Asking those around him what was happening he overheard the name Jesus and quickly mustered all the volume he could and began calling out to the "Son of David" for mercy.
What a scene. A blind beggar "begging" for help from a poor carpenter from Nazareth. But from all he had heard, Bartimaeus believed that Jesus had to be more than just a man.
It was a pretty bold move. Publicly proclaiming that Jesus was THE coming Son of David, THE Messiah. But when you've got nothing to lose, boldness, determination, and persistence just come with the territory.
Amazingly enough, his call for help gets Jesus' attention. And then Jesus pops the question, "What do you want me to do for you?"
Really?
I'm no prophet Jesus but I've got a feeling that the blind man wants to SEE.
But remember, whenever Jesus asks a question He's not looking for information. Jesus was fishing for faith, which spoke volumes since Bartimaeus had just asked Jesus to do the impossible.
We may not be blind but often find ourselves in need feeling as if God has taken no notice and has no plans to intervene. Many times we don't even ask for the impossible because it's exactly that- IMPOSSIBLE. Consequently, "we have not because we ask not" (James 4:2) and we use the fact that, "our heavenly Father knows our needs" (Matthew 6:32) as an excuse to stop asking.
But Jesus, who is "forever interceding on our behalf" (Hebrews 7:25) and knows our needs still asks us, "What do you want me to do for you?"
It's not that God is ever unaware of our needs. But at time He waits to answer us to test our faith simply to see whether or not we truly believe in His ability to do the impossible.
The true test of our faith sometimes is seen only in the persistence of our asking. That's why Jesus encourages us to, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8).
God promises us that, "....At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up". The key, however, is this, "Let us not get tired of doing right" (Galatians 6:9).
In the meantime, hang in there and choose to believe despite your circumstances that God knows where you are and that He still can and will do the impossible if we won't fail to keep asking.
It's not IF God will answer, it's only a matter of WHEN.
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