Hope for the blind

482 hope for the blindIn the Gospel of Luke, a blind man cries out. He wants to attract the attention of Jesus and experiences great blessings. On the road from Jericho, the blind beggar Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sits on the roadside. He was one of many who had lost their hope of making a living. They were dependent on the generosity of other people. I guess most of us can barely put ourselves in this situation to really understand what it was like to be Bartimaeus and ask for bread in order to survive?

Jesus went through Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd. "When Bartimaeus heard it, he asked what it was. They announced to him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. He cried out: Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me! (from Luke 18,36-38). He understood immediately that Jesus was the Messiah. The symbolism of the story is remarkable. The man waited for something to happen. He was blind and couldn't do anything himself to change his situation. As Jesus walked through his city, the blind man immediately recognized him as the Messiah (the messenger of God) who could heal him of his blindness. So he shouted loudly to draw attention to his plight, so much so that the people in the crowd said to him, "Shut up - stop shouting!" But resistance only made the man more adamant in his plea consist. "Jesus stopped and said, 'Call him! They called the blind man and said to him, Be of good cheer, get up! He calls you! So he threw off his cloak, jumped up and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered him and said, What do you want me to do for you? The blind man said to him: Rabbuni (my master), that I may see. Jesus said to him: Go, your faith has helped you. And immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way" (Mark 10,49-52).

Could it be that you are in the exact same situation as Bartimaeus? Do you realize that you cannot really see on your own, you need help? You may hear other people's message, "Keep calm - Jesus is too busy to deal with you". The message and response from disciples and followers of Jesus should be: "Habakuk take heart, stand up! He is calling you! I bring you to him!”

You have found the real life you were looking for, "Jesus your Master!" Jesus not only gives blind Bartimaeus grace and mercy, but also you. He hears your screams and gives you the new perspective to understand who you are.

Bartimaeus is an impressive example of succession. He recognized his own inability, trusted Jesus as the one who could give him God's grace, and, as soon as he could see clearly, followed him as a disciple of Jesus.

by Cliff Neill


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