15.Dec.24

When we are faced with illnesses and difficult problems, we need faith to overcome. Do we have faith on paper, only on our lips or with practice? Sometimes we feel we do not have faith, sometimes we feel our faith is not 100%. That is why we need grace to fill us.

In today’s passage, Mark introduces a blind man called Bartimaeus and he is also a beggar. How did Jesus do it previously? He brought the person aside, spat on the mud and applied the mud on him. This time Jesus only spoke the words. So the way that Jesus work is different. It depends on the person’s faith and what Jesus wanted to teach at the moment. Bartimaeus probably heard about the blind man that Jesus healed before. When he heard that Jesus is here, he sprang up. He is the one who has faith to overcome obstacles. He threw his outer garments and ran out. When Jesus Christ ask what do you want? What will you tell him? He told Jesus Christ that he wants to see. As a result of this word, a miracle occurred.

First, what obstacle does he have? Physical disability. He was blind. He was a person who lived in complete darkness. In Luke 11:34, it says the eye is the lamp of your body. He could not see light. How about you and I? Do we have similar obstacle like Bartimaeus. Darkness because they cannot come out of their depression, sorrow and also because they cannot understand the Word. Sometimes we pray God help me to see. We need faith like Bartimaeus. He had the spiritual eyes to see Jesus even though he does not have the physical eye. All the people were teaching that the Messiah will come as the son of David. This man even though he cannot see, he kept this Word in his heart and he is able to recognize Jesus Christ. There are many people in this world who have perfect vision but they are spiritually blind just like the Pharisees. Many times we choose what we want to see, hear what they want to hear. For this blind man, there was no obstacle. He cannot see and that is why he cannot choose. May the darkness that we may have not become that obstacle. May we have the faith that overcomes.

Second, he has economical obstacle. He is not just blind but he is also a beggar. Before that, Jesus Christ met a young rich ruler. Bartimaeus was economically poor. There was no obstacle for him. For the young rich ruler, his wealth is the obstacle. He is not just poor economically, he is also poor in spirit. Bartimaeus had nothing to give up. The young rich ruler had many things to give up. Is there anything we need to give up in order to come to Jesus? On the contrary, lacking material possession can also be an obstacle. Those things can become an obstacle in coming to the Lord. People get darkened when they do not have enough. I have heard people blaming God when they lost money. Material possessions can become an obstacle to both types of people. Even though Bartimaeus was poor with no possession, there was no obstacles to prevent him from to Jesus. The last thing that he has is his cloak and even that he threw that aside. May we have this kind of attitude in coming to Jesus.

His social status became an obstacle. During that time, people look down upon beggars with contempt. They will say how sinful your parents must be for you to become like this. Beggars were not even allowed to come to church. They were considered impure. In 2 Sam 5:8, it is said that the blind and lame are not to come into the house. May we never be the ones who will stop those like Bartimaeus from coming to God. Faith does not fear or hesitate, faith moves forward. Faith is the victory and life. Those who come to Jesu with such faith, Jesus welcomes them, no matter how impure or blind they were. Jesus is the real temple who will receive them. You think he is blind? Let me change that Matt 21:14.

Jesus Christ calls people like Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus is one who overcomes all obstacles with faith. Jesus calls for a steadfast, forward moving faith. In Dan 12:11-12, God is looking for faith that will continue on, even through persecution, through silence.

In Revelation, Jesus praised the church that perseveres. In Rev 14:4, we see that in the end, Jesus says there will be trial of faith, there will be things that will happen to test our faith. May we be victorious and may we be able to stand on Mount Zion with the lamb. In Rev 2-3, Jesus wrote to the churches and before he blesses them, he wrote, to he who overcomes. Those who have faith will be able to overcome their obstacles.

Bartimaeus cried out “Jesus Christ son of David, have mercy on me!” That is the key and he continues to repeat that. He knew what he did not have. That is why he is saying Jesus I have nothing and this mercy is the grace. Then Jesus answers him, what do you want me to do for you? If Jesus Christ is to ask you today, what would you say? Bartimaeus could have said I want riches, but he simply say I want to regain my sight. Why? The answer is in verse 52. Jesus Christ says go your faith has made you well and he immediately received his sight and followed Jesus. Why did he want to regain his sight? It is because he wants to follow Jesus Christ. This is in contrast to the young rich ruler. This Bartimaeus gave up everything, and said he wants to see to follow Jesus. May we have this faith that overcomes and may we also get up to follow Jesus Christ.

AMEN.