The other day, I noticed that a friend had posted a quote from Helen Keller.
Coincidentally, my favorite quote was also spoken by Helen Keller.
"It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision. - Helen Keller
Helen was both blind and deaf and overcame challenges that most of us, thankfully, will never have to overcome.
I have always found that quote a constant source of inspiration. Helen Keller did not have perfect sight. In truth, she had no sight at all.
Helen Keller did have tremendous vision.
I was reminded of this when my personal Bible study found me in the tenth chapter of the book of Mark and I read the account of Jesus healing a blind beggar.
Mark 10:46 (NET) - They came to Jericho. As Jesus and His disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar was sitting by the road.
What a pitiful picture Scripture paints for us. Here sits Bartimaeus by the road heading out of the city begging because he cannot see.
Mark 10:47 (NET) - When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Bartimaeus may have been blind, but here he exhibits tremendous vision. He did not refer to Jesus as the Son of Mary or the carpenter’s Son as others who lacked vision had. He referred to Him as Son of David. Bartimaeus recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy.
Mark 10:48 (NET) - Many scolded him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
In spite of the protests of others, Bartimaeus would not be denied. I cannot help but notice that in this verse he does not even use the name Jesus. Bartimaeus calls Him Son of David as if to say, "I know who you really are. Please help me!"
Mark 10:49-50 (NET) - Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called the blind man and said to him, "Have courage! Get up! He is calling you." He threw off his cloak, jumped up and came to Jesus.
These verses speak volumes to me.
Notice that the blind beggar had to call on Jesus more than once. Notice as well that it was not Jesus that went to the blind beggar, but the blind beggar that went to Jesus.
Sometimes, we have to call on Jesus more than once. Just as one can sense the urgency in the man’s second calling of Jesus, our call for salvation must have the same sense of urgency and convey our dependence on Him.
We must be prepared to call on Him more than once just as Bartimaeus did, if necessary. We must also be prepared to leave our places of comfort and go to Him.
Mark 10:51 (NET) - Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man replied, "Rabbi, let me see again."
Jesus did not ask this question for His own benefit. Jesus already knew both the man’s plight and what the man wanted from Him.
Mark 10:52 (NET) - Jesus said to him, "Go, your faith has healed you." Immediately he regained his sight and followed Him on the road.
So, Bartimaeus had his sight restored.
Think about that for a minute. One minute you are blind and the next you can see. Under any circumstances, that would be an extraordinary event filled with sensory overload.
In this case, it was even more remarkable because the very first thing he ever saw was Jesus.
What a sight that must have been to a man who was previously blind.
I also cannot help but notice that his restored sight did not eclipse his vision.
Jesus said, "Go" yet Bartimaeus chose to follow Him.
Calling upon Jesus is just the first step.
Going to Jesus is the second.
Then comes the hard part. We must be willing to follow Jesus.
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 29, 2011.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, August 5, 2011.
Schedule subject to change.
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