“I was reading in Mark’s gospel this morning,” Stan began, “and I saw the account of a person I think I am to resemble.”
“Who was that?” I asked. “And what did he do?”
“A man by the name of Bartimaeus,” Stan replied. “Mark’s account doesn’t say what happened to him, but he had lost his sight and was blind. Maybe some medical condition, accident, or something else. In any event, he was blind.”
Continuing, Stan said, “Jesus was on His way from Jericho to Jerusalem. Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by and he cried out to Jesus to have mercy on him. Jesus stopped, called Bartimaeus to Him, and asked him what he wanted Jesus to do.”
“Don’t you think Jesus already knew that?” I asked.
“I do,” Stan replied, “but I also think Jesus wanted Bartimaeus to ask specifically.”
Continuing, he said, “Then comes the part of the account that I find really important. Bartimaeus was given his sight without Jesus doing anything else. There is nothing to indicate that Jesus touched him, that He prayed to the Father for healing, or anything else other than telling Bartimaeus to go on his way because his faith had made him well.”
“Did he go on his way?” I asked.
“Mark says that he began following Jesus on the road,” Stan said. “To me, this indicates that Bartimaeus did not go on his way, but that he went Jesus’ way.”
Concluding, he said, “This account of Bartimaeus is, to me, a reflection of what my life and relationship with Jesus is to be all about.”
“I am to know when Jesus is present, which is always through the Holy Spirit. I am to be prepared to respond when Jesus asks what I want Him to do. I am to respond in faith, believing that Jesus can and will do all He is capable of doing. And I am to follow Him on the road He has for me to walk.”
“I was not physically blind, but I was certainly spiritually blind,” Stan concluded. “Through the grace of God, now I can see. And I have decided to follow Him wherever He leads, whatever the cost.”
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And answering him (Bartimaeus), Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and began following Him on the road. Mark 10:51, 52.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you show me how you want me to relate to you, how you want our relationship to grow deeper by my hearing, asking, and responding. Thank you for the account of Bartimaeus to show me how you want me to respond to you in faith, believing that you can and will do all you are capable of doing. Thank you I am able to bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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Things to think (and journal) about:
- What strikes you as the biggest take-away from this devotional?
2. What does this devotional say about God and about us as His people?
3. What is God saying to you to do personally?
4. Who can you share this with to make a difference?
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Comments, questions, suggestions, and the like can be addressed to The Storyteller at: waiting4thetrain@gmail.com.
Waiting for the Train 