The story of Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52 is a powerful illustration of faith and healing.
A blind beggar, Bartimaeus sat and heard the stirring of the people. When he asked what was happening, he was told that Jesus was coming. He was filled with excitement and cried out with all his voice “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:48) He had no doubt been silent before; just another part of the every-day crowd in Jericho. As a blind beggar, he was no doubt a familiar sight; part of the fabric of the local community. And even though the people told him to keep quiet, he stubbornly continued to cry out to Jesus. “This” was his opportunity. The presence of Jesus was a time for action!
In the gospels, we often read that “the power of the Lord was present to heal them.” (Luke 5:17) The “power of the Lord was present” because the Lord Himself was present. Just as you cannot look for light and ignore the sun, so we cannot look for healing and ignore the presence of Jesus; the Healer Himself. His presence was all Bartimaeus needed to fuel his faith, and it should be all that we need.
Today, popular opinion suggests that we must pray harder and longer to begging Jesus to come. We do not see or feel His presence and so we think He must be somewhere else doing other things. But He did not say He would leave us, but that the Holy Spirit would abide with us “forever!” (John 14:16) The power of God is present to heal! He is here.
How foolish it would have been for Bartimaeus to beg Jesus to come after He had already arrived! Instead of coming closer, Jesus asked him, “what do you want Me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51) Bartimaeus answered, “that I might receive my sight.” …what would you say?
Whether we feel it or not, “the power of the Lord is present to heal.” Like Bartimaeus, you may not see Him physically, but He is here! “He is here!”
…Today is a perfect day for your healing!
Picture: Myanmar – A Burmese woman, once blind in her left eye is healed.
