Today’s Reading:
Mark 10:46-52 (v. 52 KJV)
“And Jesus said unto him, Go, thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.” (v. 52 KJV)
Faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something. The author of Hebrews tells us that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1). It is our reality of hoping for something that has not really touched our hand. It is our focus on God for something that we desire or He has promised. It is our believe in the word of God that He exists. As against man, that He fulfils whatever He promises He would do, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. And so, we are called to shelter our lives through the eternal web of God. That nothing is greater than He is, nothing is more powerful, or more capable. He is God, He calls things that do not exist as though they were. According to Apostle John, He was the Word that called things that were not as though they were, without Him was not anything made that was made (Jn. 1:1). Christians are to wholeheartedly look up to Him as our role model. This is what all men were made to do, and only then can we operate at our full potential in the system of God. Faith is the fuel on which our spiritual life functions.
In the days of blind Bartimaeus, beggars were a common sight in most towns of Israel because many of the occupations required physical labour. Anyone with disability or a crippling disease was at a great disadvantage and had no choice but to beg. Even though God’s command was to care for such people (Lev. 25:35-38). Also, the people regarded blindness as a curse from God for sin (John 9:2). But Jesus contradicted this notion when He healed the blind man. Jesus was always addressed as the Son of King David because the people knew that the Messiah would come from the line of David (Isa. 9:7). Bartimaeus referring to Jesus as the Son of David, shows that he recognised Him as the Messiah. And so, his faith in Jesus brought about his healing.
Many in the world today, are spiritually or physically blind, and Jesus is able to heal all. What is required is for us to admit like Bartimaeus that we need help. The moment we decide to call on Jesus for help, our faith is the next step to make us whole. In the crowd that day, I am sure there were many like the religious leaders, the scribes and so on with their eyes opened, but were spiritually blind. Because they could not perceive who Jesus was, they did not believe in Him, and so did not cry to Him for mercy and help. To come to Jesus, we need to do away with our reticence and doubt, humble ourselves, take a bold step and call on Him. He is all ears and waiting for us to call (Rev. 3:20). Bartimaeus never witnessed any of Jesus’ miracles, he only heard reports about Him. Yet he believed, and he reached out for help. At one point or the other, we have heard the Gospel preached, let us believe the finished work of Jesus, trust in Him, boldly, but humbly call on him for mercy to help (1Peter 1:8). He is able to do all things, even more than we can imagine or think of. We should not approach God arguing on our right or goodness, but be determined and persistent. Examples of those who called out to Jesus for mercy and help were i) the ten lepers. They were all healed but only one went back to thank Jesus (Luke 17:12-19); ii) the Canaanite woman whose daughter was demon possessed. The daughter was delivered (Matt. 15:22-28), and many more like that. When we call to Jesus for mercy and help, he will respond to our cry as He did to all these people and much more.
When we approach God for mercy and help, we should focus all our attention on Him, not minding any distraction around us, or what others might say. Bartimaeus ignored the noise, discouragement, and distractions around him, and continued to shout for mercy the more. Jesus responded to his plea without minding what the people were telling Him. When we walk with God, we need boldness, humility, trust and persistence until our request is met.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud: “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Lord, I declare that all things are possible with you, have mercy on me and help my unbelief, in Jesus’ name.
Lord, increase my faith in You, in Jesus’ name.
Lord, heal my dumbness and deafness, open my eyes, replace my heart of stone with a heart of flesh, give me a humble and teachable spirit, in Jesus’ name.
I have been given a new birth in Christ Jesus, laid on the foundation that cannot be moved or shaken, and so, every evil cry from my old foundation hindering my spiritual growth, be silenced by the blood of Jesus.
Every stubborn challenge that has put my life on hold, expire now, in Jesus’ name.
Everything that stands as king Uzziah, in my life, hindering me from seeing the glory of God, be removed by the mighty power of God, in Jesus’ name.
O Lord visit and heal families from unpleasant experiences, let there be deep, great and mighty deliverance, and transformation. Heal wounds, mend fractures through broken relations. Close gates and the doors of affliction, and seal all for ever by the blood of Jesus.
Lord, we surrender the rebellious heart of our children and grandchildren to You. Let the blood of Jesus touch the source of the rebellion, let the memory of bad, harrowing experiences be wiped away. Where there is rejection even from the womb, Lord, give them a new delightful name, in Jesus’ name.
Lord, grant Your Church the power, the might, and the courage to fight the good fight of faith, in Jesus’ name.
Lord, thank you for delivering our nation, and pulling down the evil and wicked strongholds of oppression, neglect, and persecution, in Jesus’ name.
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