Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

Read

Mark 10:46-52 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Reflect

How often do we experience being “hushed?” Whether it be in church, our workplace, at school or other places, it usually doesn’t feel good. Bartimaeus probably felt the same way. He saw Jesus. He was experiencing the presence of Jesus. He understood the importance of being in the presence of Jesus; yet, people were telling him to be quiet.

The faith of Bartimaeus is unrelenting. He is not going to be quiet until he gets noticed by Jesus. He knows he must speak, and speak loudly, to draw attention himself. It is this conviction that Jesus can and will rescue him from his need that models the perfect faith in Christ.

Despite Bartimaeus’ hindrances, he pursues Jesus. Tearing off his cloak, one of his few possessions, he comes to Jesus expecting a transformation. What faith he has! When Jesus asks Bartimaeus what he wants done for him, he replies confidently, “To see again.” How bold of Bartimaeus!

How can one be like Bartimaeus? To have the courage to speak up louder when being hushed. To speak boldly, with confidence and unrelenting faith, knowing that by doing so, there will be a transformation in one’s understanding. We are called from our blinded state to be transformed. We are caked to experience our faith with new sight. We are called to have the faith of Bartimaeus so that Christ can say to each of us, “Go; your faith has made you well.”

Pray

God of new vision, help me to see in a new light. Transform me to go forth and speak up rather than feeling hushed in my faith. Amen.

Go with God!