Imagine how loud blind Bartimaeus must have shouted before Jesus could heed his call. Do you remember having to shout that loud in 2009 to get God’s attention? Or you did not bother to shout at all? Shouting to God for a need amounts to praying. Bartimaeus prayed with his whole heart, for in spite of the discouragement by the people who tried to hush him he shouted the loudest. "Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more." (Mark 10:48)
If you have your personal agenda which you have determined to submit to the Lord Jesus, make sure nothing and nobody stops you. Pay no heed to those who do not share your dream - to those who are bent on putting obstacles in the way.
Not until Jesus said they should call him did he stop shouting for attention. Our prayers will be answered this new year when we determine in our hearts to shout to the Lord constantly. Nothing should stop us. In fact any attempt to stop us is doomed to fail.
What do you think must have crossed Blind Bartimaeus' mind when finally he heard the invitation, "What do you want me to do for you?" Didn't Jesus know what was on this man's mind after he had shouted that loud to get his attention? Yes, he did, because nothing is hidden from him. The psalmist wrote: "Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." (Psalm 139:7-10) Our Lord Jesus had put the question to the blind man because he never wanted to impose his will on someone.
The blind man could have asked for some money in order to buy food; he could have begged for clothes. After all, the man crippled from birth who met with Peter and John at the temple gate begged for money. (Acts 3:3) Peter said to him: "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." (Acts 3:6)
Bartimaeus, it would seem had been waiting for this singular encounter and opportunity to be transformed out of darkness to God's wonderful light. Opportunities strike only once. Bartimaeus was not going to wait for a second chance. This glorious opportunity was not going to pass him by. He had an unmet spiritual need that he wanted by all means fulfilled. He wanted to see.
While we may harbour the dream of having some of our material needs met, we must foremost seek to satisfy the spiritual ones. Bartimaeus wanted to get to the next level. He had experienced total darkness in his blind state for probably much of his life and wanted to opt out. What is taking up your time? What dreams are you nurturing that are yet to mature? Is it reflected in your behaviour? Are you possessed by it? Bartimaeus knew a good opportunity when he saw one.
What would have happened if Jesus had passed by Bartimaeus' station that day and Bartimaeus did not have a chance to receive his miracle? He would have sunk further into darkness and would have returned to his daily routine, despondent as ever. In 2010, God would not let you wallow in the mire. He has a better plan for you and me. "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
Our Lord Jesus had openly declared that he had been sent to proclaim "recovery of sight for the blind." (Luke 4:18) You will observe as you read the Bible that a number of miracles he performed had to do with seeing. (Read the following references: Matthew 9:27; 12:22; 20:30; 21:14; Mark 8:22; 10.46; Like 7:22; John 9:1)
We all have spiritual eyes if we care to use them to see; but it would mean having to ask God to take us to another level where we will cease using our physical eyes to see beyond the ordinary. When Elisha's servant saw the great Aramean army that had surrounded the city with its horses and chariots he was afraid. He said to the prophet Elisha "Oh my lord, what shall we do?" Elisha's response was; "Don't be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." (2 Kings 6:15-16) Prophet Elisha prayed: 'O Lord, open his eyes that he might see.' Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." (2 Kings 6:17) As we seek to knit a closer relationship with our God, he will open our spiritual eyes and no harm will befall us.
What the future holds this 2010 is not in our power to predict or to perceive. We have a sure guide and horoscope in the Lord Jesus. He is saying to one and all: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12) He also warns that some people have chosen darkness. "Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds are evil." (John 3.19)
What Jesus did for Bartimaeus he can do for you and for me. It is a matter of whom we put our trust and our faith in. "God is light in him there is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5) Wouldn't you want to bask in his light?
Bartimaeus did one thing that was stunning. When Jesus called him, the Bible account tells us: "Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus." (Mark 10:50) In 2010, how willing are we to relinquish our past for a future of bliss in Christ Jesus? Tell the Lord like Bartimaeus did; "Rabbi, I want to see."