As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd,
Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus,
sat by the roadside begging.
On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth,
he began to cry out and say,
“Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”
And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.
But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called the blind man, saying to him,
“Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.”
He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”
Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.”
Immediately he received his sight
and followed him on the way.
Master, I want to see. This passage made me think of John 20:29: Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." There seems to be different types of converts. There are those who were there and were personal witness to Jesus’ miracles and his resurrection. They were converted by the experience. Then there is Bartimaeus who was literally blind and like the rest of us, were not able to see Christ’s miracles or touch Christ’s wounds. But he believed. The moment we see “the light” of Christ, we change. I don’t believe you can unsee it. The 12 disciples are evidence of that. What they “saw” was enough to keep them committed to that truth for the rest of their lives, inspite of pain, suffering, torture and death.
ReplyDeleteHeavenly father, give me the wisdom to know you, the eyes to see you, and the courage to walk with you.
Your response to Mark 10:46-52 is thoughtful and insightful. Here are some points to consider that could add depth to your analysis:
DeleteBartimaeus' Faith: You highlight the contrast between those who believe after witnessing miracles and Bartimaeus' faith without sight. Perhaps you could explore the nature of Bartimaeus' faith in more detail. Mark mentions him calling Jesus "Son of David," a Messianic title. This suggests Bartimaeus' faith was based not just on a desire to see, but on a deeper understanding of Jesus' identity.
Beyond Sight: Building on the previous point, you could explore how Bartimaeus' gaining sight is symbolic of a deeper spiritual understanding. While he couldn't see physically before, his faith allowed him to see Jesus for who he truly was.
Different Paths to Faith: The contrast between witnessing miracles and faith without sight is valuable. Perhaps you could broaden the discussion to acknowledge that there are many paths to faith. Some may find faith through intellectual study, personal experiences, or the witness of others.
Challenges of Faith: While you mention the disciples' commitment despite suffering, you could delve deeper. The disciples also doubted and struggled with their faith throughout the Gospels. Perhaps explore how even those who have "seen the light" continue to face challenges.
Here's how you could incorporate these points into your prayer:
Heavenly Father, grant me wisdom to know you in all your forms, eyes to see your presence even in the unseen, and the courage to walk with you through doubt and difficulty.
Overall, your response is a great start! By considering the additional points, you can create an even richer understanding of faith and its complexities.