Day 4: Jesus Gives Sight to the Blind

Mark 10:46-52 (ESV)
And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

I marvel at the faith of this man, Bartimaeus, on the side of the road. He did not let the crowd deter him. He looked straight to Jesus for healing. He had faith.

Jesus had pity on him and healed him on the spot. The gentleman not only recovered his sight, but he followed Jesus. I will never forget looking into Gary’s eyes. I had just begun working at a downtown mission, and there was Gary, a kind, older man. He told me that he had never learned to read, and that he was now losing his eyesight and losing any hope to ever learn to read in the future. I looked into his eyes, and realized that he had cataracts, just like my own mom had experienced. I connected Gary with a doctor, and his cataracts were removed. I then had the privilege of teaching Gary to read in the evenings at the mission, as part of a group of volunteer teachers for an adult learning/GED program. Gary not only began to see, but he also learned to read and attained his GED/High School Diploma. Like Bartimaeus, Gary also learned how to follow Jesus.

If you, like these two men, like me, have been healed by the touch of Jesus, have you then followed Him? Have you given yourself to healing others? Would you consider dropping by a hospital to pray with patients? Or drop by the children’s hospital to read a book to an ailing child? Or drop by a Mission and purchase a much-needed pair of glasses for someone in need?

Rev. Andy Bales

President/CEO of Union Rescue Mission