Imagine being asked the question, what do you want me to do for you? What is your response going to be?
A Listening Heart
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The answer you give would probably depend on the person’s power, influence, or connection in asking the question. Take a moment to consider different influential people asking you this question, and give them a response.
Now, let us imagine that Jesus is the one asking you and I this question.
For me, there are some lingering challenges in this season of my life that require divine intervention. I am telling Jesus my response.
Why not go ahead and tell him yours?
A blind man named Bartimaeus was asked the same question by Jesus. Let’s look at his response and see what we can learn from him.
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.
When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!“
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Mark 10:46-52 NIV
What do you want? Faith Lessons from the life of blind Bartimaeus.
- Tenacity. Dictionary.com defines tenacity as the quality or fact of being very determined. People were trying to shut him down, but he persisted. The people had been around him all this time, but they could not help. Now that the solution was in sight, they wanted to control him. Jesus is asking you the same question today. Would you let people or society shut you up? Do not let the crowd determine your fate/victory.
- God is merciful. The blind man asked Jesus to have mercy on him. God is faithful, and he will be merciful. No sin is too big for him to forgive. Jesus is gracious and will pay attention to us. In the scripture, Jesus stopped and called him.
- Do not use your situation as a handicap. Blind Bartimaeus threw his cloak off quickly and jumped on his feet to meet Jesus. He did not use the blindness as a handicap. Jesus now asked the question. “What do you want me to do for you?” Obviously, the man was blind but Jesus did not want to make assumptions that it was the only or primary need the man had. Jesus is all-knowing, but he wants us to ask.
- Be direct. The man plainly responded: “Rabbi, I want to see.” ‘Short and Sharp,” as my pastor would say! No story. No excuses but straight to the point. “Go, said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” There was no touching, no laying of hands, no spitting on mud and rubbing on the eyes. Just by Jesus speaking the word, the blind man got his healing.
- Have Faith. It is interesting that Jesus referenced the faith of the man. To please God and receive from him, faith must be the foundation of our request.
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:15 NIV.
Jesus, may we always trust you and your words. Restore our faith in you that you can do all things.
What is your response to Jesus? Take a moment to reflect on his question and journal through your response.
This guest post is by my sister and friend, Mrs. Wunmi Olaleye. She invites us to grow our faith through the example of blind Bartimaeus.
Wunmi Olaleye is a wife and mother to three children. Her passion is to encourage others to reach their God-given potential and see beyond adversity. She also shows them practical ways to grow their faith. She loves children, which is literally the meaning of her name. She’s been blessed to serve in children’s ministry for over 20 years.
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