Bold Faith

 

  Mk 10:46-52

Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

⁴⁶ 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.

Blind Bartimeus's desire to see impelled him to call out to Jesus even louder when the crowd was urging him to be silent. There must have been a desperateness in his heart and voice, for Jesus stopped and told the crowd to bring the blind man to him. Jesus honored his simple and direct request immediately, rewarding his faith. We like to think we have faith, but is it as strong as the faith of Bartimeus? Do we insist, persist, or simply give up when we don't have the answer we want when we want it? Bartimaeus displayed a bold, courageous faith and was rewarded for it. May he inspire us to be bold, faith-filled and persistent.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, help me to believe with the same strong faith of Bartimeus. Amen.