Blind Bartimaeus

"What do you want me to do for you?' The blind man said to him, 'Rabbuni, let me see again'" (Mark 10:51)NJB

Suppose Jesus asks you: "What do you want me to do for you?" How would you reply? When I have sensed Him asking that of me, my answer depended on my circumstances. In periods of ill-health, I wanted instant healing. When an old car needed repair, we desire a new car. Our desires are indeed complex, but Bartimaeus' prayer was precise.

When God asked Solomon what he wanted most, Solomon's request pleased God. Why? Because the king had asked for wisdom -- not for his own benefit, but so he could rule Israel according to God's purpose. God wants us to choose wisely and in accordance with His will. In the Lord's prayer, Jesus taught us what to pray for. God's will is paramount. He showed an example in Gethsemane when in terrible anguish, he groaned: "My Father,..not what I want but what you want" (Matthew 26:39)

Bartimaeus' prayer brought him physical and spiritual vision. Jesus always gives more than we ask for. He wants us to pray with confidence for all our needs, but he also desires we place spiritual well-being above material comfort. The world needs people with spiritual vision. "Without vision the people perish" (Proverbs 29: 18). The prophet Hosea writes: "My people perish for want of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6) May God help us to pray with Bartimaeus: Lord, that we may see!

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