Mark 10:51-52
51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
The blind man said to Him, [f]“Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has [g]made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.
Here you have a blind man and how he survives from day to day is by begging along the streets in the hope that those passing by will have mercy and compassion on him and drop a few coins in his bowl. Bartimaeus the blind man must have heard about Jesus and all he was doing because when he hears that Jesus is passing by, no one can contain him. He begins to call out for Jesus in a loud voice. The people around him discourage him and try to shut him down by telling him to be quiet. But the more they tried to shut him down, the more he cried out with an even louder voice.
His persistence pays off because Jesus calls out for him. It is important to note that Jesus was not even focused on Bartimaeus, he was on his way out of Jericho headed elsewhere. Bartimaeus was not on his itinerary, he just gate crushed and ceased the moment.
As believers we sometimes make this statement, “If it is Gods will, it will come to me!” And so we sit and wait. What if Bartimaeus had waited? Jesus would have kept going and he would not have received his miracle.
But this is the part I love about this story, When Bartimaeus finally comes to Jesus, he is asked a very interesting question, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The man is blind, is it not obvious that he wants to see? Well that’s the assumption that many of us would make, but remember Jesus did not ask the peoples around for their opinion, he asked Bartimaues. Maybe he wanted some money, or to be one of of the disciples, or a house to call his own, Jesus wanted to know what the guy wanted.
Do you know what you want? If Jesus came to you today and asked you what you want, would you have a quick direct answer or would you have to go on social media to ask people what you should ask for?
Bartimaeus knew what he wanted, he wanted to see and he did not hesitate when asked the question. In fact, it is because he knew what he wanted that he was able to cease this opportunity. When he heard that Jesus was passing by he would not be quieted down because he knew that Jesus was the only one who could give him what he wanted and nothing would stop him.
Many of us miss out on opportunities because we are not clear on what we want and thus we are not able to identify the opportunities when they pass by.
Reflections.
Have you lost opportunities because you were not clear on what you wanted? What happened?
Do you know what you want? If Jesus was here with you physically and he asked you the same question, what would you ask for?
Bartimaeus what not in Jesus’ itinerary yet he got his miracle, what does that teach you?
