I MUST TELL JESUS

SCRIPTURE:

“Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing 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. (Mark10:46-52)

OBSERVATION:

The story of a blind man, Bartimaeus, sitting by the roadside begging, tells us how life can be cruel and challenging. Everyone has a need that needs tender care and love. While Bartimaeus’s eyes were blind, thankfully, his ears were good. He heard that Jesus was passing by, and he began to shout. Sometimes, we think our situations are hopeless just because we have limitations that prevent us from pressing forward and finding help.

The rest of Bartimaeus’s bodily faculties were good except for his eyes. However, it is so easy for people to focus on one disability and forget to realize that 99% of their body can achieve or help them get to where they need to be. Bartimaeus HEARD that Jesus was passing by, and he began to shout. I learned in life that I should never be allowed 1% of my difficulty in life to think that my life is hopeless or my dreams are unreachable.

Many rebuked Bartimaeus. They told him to be quiet, but he SHOUTED THE MORE. Difficulties and challenges in life should never keep us silent. We should shout more. The most significant challenge for us is NOT our goals but those who try to discourage us. People don’t often have your best interest in mind.

Jesus heard Bartimaeus, and he stopped. No need is too small or too great for Jesus. But we must reach out to him and not allow others to deprive us of shouting out to Him. Jesus stopped everything and focused on us when we were in need. But even Jesus needs us to be specific with our needs. People often ask, what kind of care do you offer? How are you going to help solve what I am going through? But they do not tell you what they need. People just assumed that we should know how to help them.

They are going through things, but they must be specific enough with what they need the care for. Jesus didn’t just assume what Bartimaeus needed. Of course, the apparent need is visible. He was blind. But was that what he needed help with? Jesus asked Bartimaeus, WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU? Bartimaeus could’ve said, isn’t it obvious to you that I am blind?

Sometimes, the apparent symptoms are not always the real issue. There are often other issues and problems that must be addressed. But when we are specific, then we will be able to receive the help that we need. Bartimaeus said, “RABBI, I WANT TO SEE.” Jesus said, “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately, he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

APPLICATION:

I learned today that I must be specific with my prayers for help. I must never assume that people know what I am going through. A specific prayer or request to Jesus receives specific answers. Bartimaeus taught me today not to assume that people know what I need, whether physical or emotional needs. I must be specific so I can be helped with that specific need. I will not allow the one percent of my life that is not functional to be silent for the rest of my life that is functional. I learned from Bartimaeus that even though he was blind, his ears and other body parts were still working. There is no excuse, just because he was blind. We were hopeless not because no help was available but because we focused on 1% of our problem, which blinded us to the bigger picture.

PRAYER:

Jesus, thank you for opening my eyes to see that you are the answer to all the blindness in my life. Thank you for teaching me today to be specific with my prayers and to not allow my circumstances to keep me in the dark. Please help me to hear you clearly when so many things in life blindside me. I love you, Lord, and am grateful for your presence with me daily. Amen!