“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Mark 10:52
It’s a tough life to understand. We see them everywhere we go — in the city, in the suburbs, at train stations, bus stations — pretty much any place where crowds gather you’ll find a beggar. Someone who resorts to asking others to meet their needs. Often it’s requesting money or food, but sometimes it’s for things like a warm blanket or cigarettes. Never, though, have I ever seen someone ask for healing. Nor have I seen a beggar shunned and lowered by disrespect. But that’s not the case with Bartimaeus.
Bartimaeus has begged his entire life on the streets, blind, listening for the Messiah. Bartimaeus had a blind faith that one day he would see. He waited. Until that day, as an adult, he heard a crowd leaving the city. His ears heard, his heart knew the sound of his Master’s voice! Discouraged at the chance of missing this opportunity he desperately made himself known. He screamed, made quite the ruckus. So much so that many in the crowd rebuked him and told him to be quiet.
Jesus heard his passion, saw his devotion and knew his heart. Stopping and turning, Jesus asked the beggar what he wanted him to do for him. And without a hesitation he calls him, “Teacher, I want to see!”
It was at that moment, Bartimaeus cast his eyes for the first time upon something — the face of the Savior — and saw! And, without question, he followed Jesus out of the city! Followed Him!
My Lord, begging has never been something strongly favored in my eyes. But Bartimaeus’ life was filled with the faith, through begging, that leads to transformation! While I know you intercede to the Father on my behalf, I also pray that my heart will see what my eyes cannot, trusting in the powerful transforming cocoon of waiting.
By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. Acts 3:16