Blindness Teaches Dependence

Jesus was headed toward Jerusalem for the last time. Coming shortly: Palm Sunday, Passover, the upper room and Good Friday. He knew he was about to die for the sins of the world.

On his way he came into contact with a blind man outside Jericho. This blind man was doing what all blind people did back then. He was begging so that he could eat. In order to get the most bang for his buck he was stationed at a busy part of a well-traveled road, so that he would come into contact with as many people as possible.

Because of his contact with many people, this blind man was up on all the news and events which were taking place in his vicinity and country. In addition to hearing all the trivial news, however, he had for the last three years heard reports about Jesus of Nazareth. He had been told that this Jesus of Nazareth healed the sick, threw out devils, made the deaf hear, the mute speak and the blind see. He was even able to raise the dead. Bartimaeus knew all this.

This knowledge had convinced him of something else. As a Jew who knew his Old Testament, he knew that only God or one of God's prophets could do these things. He also knew that the prophets of the Old Testament had said that the promised Savior would be able to do these things as proof that He was God. From all that Bartimaeus had heard about this Jesus of Nazareth, he was firmly convinced that this was the promised Savior. This became evident when he addressed Jesus with the technical term reserved for the Messiah, {47} "Jesus, Son of David."

Bartimaeus knowledge that Jesus was the promised Savior, and thus God, was not without effect on him. He trusted that Jesus would and could do something for him. His words, {47} "Have mercy on me," certainly aren't conditional. He was throwing himself completely on the loving kindness and compassion of Christ, trusting that He would react.

As people living in a sinful world, we also have needs. They might not be as serious as the need of Bartimaeus. Then again, they might be. Think about your prayers to the LORD each day. Many of them are probably requesting help with physical needs: "Give us this day our daily bread," or spiritual needs, "Your kingdom come."

But we have knowledge about Jesus as Bartimaeus did. In fact, we have more knowledge. He just knew what he heard from people. We have the written record of eyewitnesses whom the Holy Spirit led to write an account of Jesus' life which is without mistakes. From these written records we learn of Jesus' power as did Bartimaeus.

But we don't have to draw the conclusion that Jesus is the Savior from his miracles. We also observe through the eyes of the apostles the completion of God's plan for our salvation. We can watch Jesus as he suffered and died to wipe way the sins of the world. We can watch as he rose from the dead to prove that God had accepted his sacrifice for our sins. We can watch as He ascended into heaven to rule over all things for us.

So, our attitude can be the same as that of Bartimaeus.

Prayer: LORD Jesus, I am throwing myself completely at You, trusting that You can and will respond to my needs.

Since Bartimaeus had knowledge of what Jesus could do, and since he also was convinced that this was the promised Savior, his method of approach to the Savior's protective power deserves mention. He did not quietly ask someone to please go to Jesus to ask him to come over to see him. Nor did he decide that he was too unimportant an individual for this Jesus of Nazareth to be concerned about. No. When he heard that it was Jesus, he began shouting and yelling at the top of his lungs to call Jesus' attention to his need. What boldness this man used!

But then he ran into some difficulties. Some of the many people in the group which was traveling to Jerusalem to the Passover along with Jesus told Bartimaeus to be quiet. Maybe they thought that Jesus was too important to be bothered by a beggar. Or, maybe that Jesus was too busy heading for Jerusalem and the Passover to be stopped at this time. In any case, they provided a definite obstacle for Bartimaeus and his desire to get into personal contact with Jesus. Notice what effect it had on him. {48} "he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" His actions said, "I don't care what you people say. I want to speak with Jesus. I don't care what is getting in the way of this wonderful opportunity. I am not going to let any hindrances stop me."

Next, notice that Bartimaeus was not afraid to become very specific. {51} "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. Bartimaeus didn't fumble around, muttering, "Well, Lord, I needed Your help, so I thought I might see what You might do. Or, "Lord, You can see what I need without my explaining." No. {51} The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."

Our approach to Jesus and his protective power can be exactly the same. When we have a physical or spiritual need, we can use the same boldness. Really? How can a sinner like me, who deserves to go to hell because of my sins, approach a holy God with boldness? Because Jesus has washed away my sins and covered me with the holiness which he lived as my substitute. Quoting Paul (Ephesians 3:12) In Christ and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Because of Jesus "we can with all boldness and confidence ask him for things as dear children ask their dear Father," to quote Martin Luther.

We might run into obstacles as Bartimaeus did. His were external. Ours are internal.

Obstacle 1: Indifference. Just do it! Or as James (4:2) wrote in his letter: You do not have because you do not ask God.

Obstacle 2: "I am too insignificant." Jesus' answer (Matthew 6) is: {26} Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? {28} See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. {29} Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. {30} If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you.

Obstacle 3: Unbelief. James' (1) comment: {6} But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts {7} should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

We can be as specific as Bartimaeus was. When a particular sin is bothering us, be specific. "Jesus, You died to forgive this particular sin of mine. You have to help me fight against it and win." When doubts arise, be specific: "Jesus, You lived to cover me with Your holiness. You rose from the dead so that I will live forever. Keep reminding me of those things." If you are having a difficult pregnancy, be specific. "Jesus, I need You to keep me and my baby healthy." If you just had an operation, be specific. "Jesus, I need You to help my body recuperate." When you lose your job, be specific: "Jesus, give me direction on where to look for a new one."

Prayer: LORD Jesus, please help me to confidently overcome all obstacles as I bring my specific needs to You.

What was the response to Bartimaeus' attitude and approach? {49} Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." Jesus wasn't too important for this. He also wasn't too busy.

The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." {52} "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight. Obviously Jesus has the power to handle our needs.

There was another response to this incident: {52} Immediately Bartimaeus followed Jesus along the road. We don't know this for sure. However, it sounds as if he became a disciple of Jesus. Maybe he followed Jesus to Jerusalem. Maybe he observed Jesus finish his work for us by dying on the cross and rising again.

Jesus' response to our attitude and approach are the same. He hears and responds. We have his Word on it.

• Matthew 7:7: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." John 15:16: "Whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you."

• 1 John 5:14: "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."

• Psalm 50:15: "Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."

Those are nice promises. But sometimes God doesn't give us what we ask for. True. But St. Paul reminds us that sometimes God says "No," because he wants to give us something else. Instead of rescue for which he asked, Paul got strength and God got the praise. Sometimes "No" is better for us than "Yes."

Our response to Jesus should mimic Bartimaeus. Knowing Jesus has the power to fill our needs, and knowing that his love motivates him to respond to our needs, leads us to follow Jesus. We follow Jesus when we trust that he will handle our needs, are bold in presenting them, are willing to overcome obstacles to our approach to him, and are specific when we approach him.

Prayer: LORD Jesus, thank You for allowing us not to be blind like Bartimaeus. Thank You also for teaching us from Bartimaeus' blindness to trust Your protective power and to approach You with all our needs.