Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47When 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."50Throwing 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*
MARIAN: I can relate somewhat to Bartimaeus. A few years ago my eye doctor diagnosed the beginning of a cataract in my right eye. That meant a cloudy film was developing on the part of the eye called the lens. Gradually my nearsightedness worsened to the point that prescription lenses could no longer correct my distorted vision. At age 51 I reluctantly agreed to have cataract surgery, a procedure usually done on people much older. The surgery involved replacing my cloudy lens with a new manmade lens. Afterwards I could see clearly the bright colors and images around me!
NATHAN: Physical blindness only affects a few, but spiritual blindness impacts us all. Whether I am blinded by my sin or by my inability to see others with God’s eyes, I am still blind. Only when I acknowledge my distorted vision, as Marian had to do, and ask Jesus to have mercy on me, are my eyes opened. Once my blindness goes away, I can see Jesus. However, seeing is not enough. Like Bartimaeus, I need to follow daily the One who gives me sight. The challenge for me is this: Am I willing?
Nathan Griffin teaches the Koinonia Class and serves on the Missions Team. Marian is a Stephen Minister, coordinates meals for the bereaved, and serves on the Education and Membership Care Teams.
How has Jesus made a difference in your life? "I was close to getting diabetes, but God gave me perseverance to work hard and go healthy, God gave me friends to help." -Claire Jackson, 6th grade
*Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.