"I Want to See!"

Mark 10:51-52 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
 
WE know that when Jesus asked the question he knew the answer. His purpose was to have Bartimaeus speak his need. It’s the same reason we pray. The LORD God knows our needs, praises and petitions. He wants to hear us speak to him in the same way you want loved ones to speak their joys and needs to you.
   Notice Jesus asked Bartimaeus the same question he asked James and John: “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:36) Whether one is Jesus’ close disciple or a blind beggar, with this question Jesus brings the realm of all his power and possibilities into a person’s life. His answer to James and John pointed them to a deeper submission to God’s will. His answer to Bartimaeus pointed him to the height of God’s healing grace. What causes the different answers?
   Perhaps it was the motive behind the petition. James and John’s request, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” was their effort to gain Jesus’ favor above the others. Bartimaeus’ plea was to be whole. He wanted to see as most people do. Then Jesus responded to his plea:
 
Mark 10:52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
 
Jesus did not say, “Be healed.” He healed Bartimaeus in the essence of the man’s faith. We can all say, “I have faith in Jesus. He should heal me.” Jesus, though, saw Bartimaeus’ faith as a true understanding in Jesus’ deity. Calling Jesus, Son of David, revealed Bartimaeus knew the law and the Prophets. He believed the Scriptures. He had faith God’s Word pointed to God’s Son. He knew the signs and the evidence of the Son of David come to reign. In faith he called to Jesus.
   And in faith he followed Jesus. Bartimaeus’ faith submitted his heart to Jesus. The man’s first response to his new vision was to follow Jesus along the road. We can easily consider he testified in Jerusalem to his Lord’s great salvation. He would have hailed the Christ on his entrance to Jerusalem: Mark 11:9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” We can believe he would also have been among the 3,000 saved on the Pentecost when the Spirit began the church. (Acts 2:41) Bartimaeus was certainly an evangelist for the Savior.
    Faith is more than believing what God will do for you; faith is knowing what God wants you to do with him. As you may be wondering, “What will God do for me?” perhaps you might first consider, “What does the LORD want me to do for him?” Your faith will open your heart to receive the Lord’s restoring power in the manner he will give to you.