Thursday’s gospel –
Master, let me see again.
How remarkable that the blind beggar could put into perspective the saving grace and divinity of Jesus as the Christ whilst those who lived with him, saw all that he did and listened to his words could not.
It’s a timely reminder for us: just because we have a life WITH Christ doesn’t mean that we have a life IN Christ. Just because we spend time in the presence of the Lord doesn’t mean that we recognise what he tells us. Just because we proclaim Jesus as Saviour doesn’t mean we live in a manner to be saved.
Let the perspective of Bartimaeus be an example to us. He reflected on what he heard from others and, without the benefit of seeing Jesus, came to a position of faith that he could proclaim when the opportunity arose.
Let us reflect on what a great gift of faith we have received; then let us make sure that we use it so that we might be able to hear Jesus say to you in the future, “Your faith has saved you.”
Gospel Mark 10:46-52 ©
As Jesus left Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (that is, the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting at the side of the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and to say, ‘Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.’ And many of them scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he only shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him here.’ So they called the blind man. ‘Courage,’ they said ‘get up; he is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and went to Jesus. Then Jesus spoke, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Rabbuni,’ the blind man said to him ‘Master, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has saved you.’ And immediately his sight returned and he followed him along the road.