Focus
Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.
Read
The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus
46 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. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 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.” 50 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 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.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Reflect
There’s a unique, remarkable thing I’ve witnessed a couple of times when serving in various outreach ministries, and maybe you have, too. It’s when someone who has been served by the ministry transitions to become one who volunteers in the ministry. Someone who once received, now shares in the giving. I’m not sure if I’ve seen anyone serve with more purpose and commitment than folks that fit this description. Additionally, their involved presence serves as a living witness to the meaning and importance of the ministry. What a powerful thing that is!
In this text, Jesus serves and tends to the need of Bartimaeus, and because of that, Bartimaeus follows Jesus. Ironically, Jesus tells him to “Go,” and Bartimaeus doesn’t go anywhere! He’s now a follower of Jesus. That’s a pretty effective model for evangelism and discipleship if you ask me. Serve others and serve them well, and they just may choose to be a part of what you are doing, of what Jesus is doing through you.
Maybe that’s the challenge before us today. When we encounter folks in need of something, however annoying their pleas may be to us, may we ultimately have the grace of Jesus to offer help, to tend their needs as best we can. Perhaps, through our effort, someone may find some healing, find some new vision, find Jesus in their midst and want to discover more.
Pray
Jesus, you call us into relationship with you. That means looking for you, watching and studying you, and following you. When we do that, we find ourselves in relationship with others that you call. O God, open our eyes and give us the grace to greet one another as brothers and sisters that you’ve called together to follow you. Teach us to always welcome and love one another, we pray. Amen.
Go with God!
