Healed Curiously

S - "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. (Mark 10:46-52 ESV)

O - By this time in Jesus' public life no one is surprised that he could heal a person who'd become blind; he even healed those born blind.  The crowd considered Bartimaeus' cry an annoyance to be silenced … another hassle from one of the countless beggars in the world.  Apparently, Jesus heard something very different in his shout; something more than urgency or despair. Whatever the cause, the outcast blind man is called to come and be in the very center of the crowd, to be in the immediate presence of Jesus.  Not only is their exchange brief, it is remarkably casual considering the outstanding result.  A simple straightforward question and answer followed by an instruction to simply move along … no touching, no praying, no commanding, no scriptures invoked, no formula engaged.  Jesus doesn't offer him a deal … I heal and you commit to follow.  He just speaks, agrees with his faith and releases him to "go your way." Bartimaeus makes a second great choice.  The first was to keep crying out and the second was to keep following: "immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way." 

A - It seems obvious (though not stated in the scripture) Bartimaeus had some previous knowledge of Jesus and embraced the information he had.  Jesus of Nazareth is someone who is capable of outstanding healings.  He had the concept in mind and agreed with the capacity and possibility.  This no doubt inspired his insistent and even uncouth response. Yet, none of this produced his healing.  The power to heal is not in the concept, principles, history, promises or plans of Jesus.  Each of these point to such amazing dynamics as healings but they do not accomplish them.  All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to the person of Jesus, not the concept, principle or promise. These are given so we would come to him (John 5:39-40).  I admit that I am often relying on or responding out of the concept or principle rather than with and to the person.  According to Jesus, in each day and each circumstance the point and focus remains the same, come to me and follow me.  I gratefully accept the difference between the person and the concept. I want to live this difference out loud day by day!

P - Lord Jesus,

I am so grateful for your patient and unoffended love for me and for all … and I want to be helped/transformed in my thinking and living in this awesome, beautiful, challenging, intimate and critical distinction.  We are designed for personal relationship with you and your Father. I want to live in you not to you (concept); to work with you and not for you (plan); to be holy to you not for you (principles).  I choose to ask for mercy, come near and follow.

I love you back,

Steve