“Jesus Will Stop – Even For You!”(Mk.10:46-52).
The life of a young girl was slowly ebbing away from a terminal disease. Her pastor visited and comforted her saying, “My daughter take heart. Jesus is the answer.” In desperation the her and girl asked, “But what is the question?”
A teacher cannot expect a correct answer from the pupils if the question was poorly framed. Worst still, you cannot expect somebody to solve your problem when you have not posed the problem.
Blind Bartimaeus had a clear idea of who Jesus was and he knew what he wanted from Jesus whenever he had the opportunity.
Jesus was leaving Jericho amidst a large crowd when Bartimaeus heard it was Jesus of Nazareth. He began to shout, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and asked him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
This drew the attention of Jesus who stopped and asked that they should call the man. The man was called with words like, “Cheer up! On your feet! He is calling you.” At this point Bartimaeus did not behave like a blindman. He threw his cloak aside, jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
One would have expected Jesus to act immediately because we know he already knew the man’s problem. Rather, he asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
Upon hearing this, Jesus told him,“Go, your faith has healed you.” The man immediately received his sight “and followed Jesus along the road.”
Some lessons to learn:
- Set your agenda with the Lord Jesus Christ and be clear about what you want from him.
- Never allow any crowd to intimidate and coerce you to silence when you are petitioning the Lord.
- Beware the chameleon nature of crowds, The very people who try to stop you are the same ones who will tell you “Cheer up,” when they realise that things are working to your favour.
- Don’t remain in self-pity. Bartimaeus did not hesitate to throw off his cloak, jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. Those who delight in self-pity would have delayed expecting someone to help them on their feet.
- Be clear on what you want from Jesus. Jesus knew the man was blind, but he still asked him what he wanted from him. Most blind people settle for crumbs – alms. May be that was what he wanted. But the man knew that with Jesus he couldn’t settle for less! He wanted to see, and that is what he requested.
- Most important of all: Jesus is not in any haste that he won’t stop to listen to you. It doesn’t matter who or what you are. Jesus responds to faith and not to status!
- Lastly, when you have received from the Lord what you ask for, you should show appreciation by becoming his follower. Jesus asked the man to go, but the man instead “followed Jesus along the road.”
Dear friend, following Jesus in word and deed is the best we can do when he has impacted our lives positively.
Weekend prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus Christ for always responding to those who in faith bring their problems to you. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.