Today’s Reading: Mark 10:46-52 and 11:12-14,20-25; Luke 18:35-43
Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” – Mark 10:46-47
Can you hear the passion in his voice? Can you hear the desperation and the desire to be healed? This man was not just asking for mercy, he was pleading for help. He was not calling out to a simple prophet, Bartimaeus recognized that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Son of David, their Lord.
Pray with passion…
“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”
So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. – Mark 10:48-50
Jesus had invited him to come closer and Bartimaeus responded immediately. I love how he threw off his coat and jumped to his feet. His eagerness to be healed by Jesus was obvious to all those around them. Jesus had called him and he was responding wholeheartedly.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
“My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” – Mark 10:51
Jesus gave Bartimaeus the opportunity to say specifically what he wanted Jesus to do for him. He knew the desire of his heart and the physical need was obvious, but Jesus allowed the opportunity to define what he wanted the Lord to do and why. It was in this moment that the crowd saw the faith of a man who desired nothing more than to see the face of Jesus.
Pray specifically. What are you asking Jesus to do for you today?
And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road. – Mark 10:52
The man’s eyesight had been restored. His world was now open to new experiences and a new understanding of his surroundings. But instead of being focused on what he had gained, the desire of his heart was to follow Jesus — to watch Jesus at work in the lives of others.
The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it. – Mark 11:12-14
The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. – Mark 11:20
Pray confidently, knowing what Jesus is capable of accomplishing…
Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” – Mark 11:22-25
Perhaps these words of Jesus are hard to receive because you have not experienced the answer your heart desires when you pray. I have definitely been there. This reminder is good for me to hear. Perhaps there are some healing conversations that need to take place. Perhaps I need to let go of ways in which others have sinned against me before I am ready to bring my requests before God. Perhaps I need to throw aside the coat I have been wearing and jump up unburdened as I go see Jesus. Today I pray that God gives me the faith to…
Pray with passion.
Pray specifically.
Pray from a DOUBTLESS FAITH.
Pray with CONFIDENT BOLDNESS.
Pray with HUMBLE EXPECTATION.
Pray with SHAMELESS PERSISTENCE.
Today is the day to make my requests known to God with a clear heart and a big faith! May the God who loves to give good gifts to His children hear our prayers today, and may He respond according to His perfect plan.