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Read: Luke 18: 35-43                                            Vision Restored


   Here was a man persistent to regain his vision. Bartimaeus , could not be hushed to silence, when he heard, that Jesus was passing by, he cried out aloud, over and above the noise of those who were  trying to shut him up. We don’t know how this man lost his vision, but one thing is clear, he was not settling for blindness. Although he was physically blind, spiritually he could see clearer than most. He believed Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah; he addressed him in that manner “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”  Those who wanted to shut him up were unbelievers and infuriated at what was being said.  When we call on the Lord He does hear us and He does respond to us. People may not believe you can be helped, but when you call to God He answers you. He will show you things you cannot see. “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” Jer.33:3

   When Jesus called for Bartimaeus, he jumped up and threw off his cloak and made his way towards Jesus. Bartimaeus was eager to come , he didn’t care what other people thought. He was quick to discard anything that would hinder his progress to Jesus. “..let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Heb.12:1 We can settle for less because of what others think or because too much weighs us down. A “vision” we believed for years ago, may seem impossibility with the passing of time. Don’t give up! “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”Hab.2:3

   When Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?” Bartimaeus replied, “Lord, that I may receive my sight” Bartimaeus addresses Jesus as “Lord” he didn’t need his eyes opened to know this.  Repeatedly he had declared Jesus as Messiah, and he did so, being physically blind. Our handicaps are not to become our excuses; they are our means to a deepening knowledge of God. How will we use our lacks to gain what is precious? We can learn from Bartimaeus. Jesus said to him, “thy faith hath saved thee.” Bartimaeus believed in who Jesus was even though he had to rely on what others had told him, he had never witnessed a miracle with his own eyes, yet he believed. “blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” John 20:29 Not all of us will have first hand experiences sometimes we have to believe what others tell us to bring us to a place of receiving for ourselves.

   We wonder why Jesus asked this question to the blind man when the need was so obvious. Bartimaeus had approached Jesus proclaiming Him as Messiah.  As “Messiah” there were many things that Jesus could have done for Bartimaus, Jesus was giving an opportunity to Bartimaeus to make his request known. Our requests often reflect our understanding or revelation of God. To some Jesus was a good man, to others a healer, to others a miracle worker, to others a teacher and to others Lord etc. Our revelation of Jesus will determine our requests of Him. We can limit what God can do for us simply by our unbelief. Believing is the key to receiving all that He can provide i.e. everything!  “for with God all things are possible”.Mar.10:27
 
     Bartimaeus recognized there was more he could receive from Jesus than the opening of his eyes, the Messiah had come to give life and Bartimaeus needed Jesus. Once His eyes were opened he began to follow Jesus. “And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God:” Luke 18:43. Some people stop once their requests are met, not Bartimaeus, he went all the way. His eyesight was only going to enhance his walk with Christ. His handicap brought him to Jesus and not away from Him. Your need is your opportunity to draw near to God. Jesus asks you today, “What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?” Do not settle for second best!