July 24, 2022

Passage Read: Mark 9-10
Meditation Verses: 10:49-52

Thought

This is the last miracle Jesus does for a person before His crucifixion, except for healing the ear that Peter cuts off. This is the last request for healing anyone makes, and it is a blind man regaining his sight. Jesus knows He's on His way to His death, but no one else understands that, not even His disciples, whom He's warned three times. He's on His way to His execution, but here's one last person who wants help. It's a blind man who wants to see. And Jesus stops, calls him and grants his request. Jesus is willing to serve to the end. Even though, as He's said before, that He came into the world that those who were blind should see and those who thought they saw would be blind. Those who should know better missed His coming. Those who didn't know what to expect believed on Him. Bartimaeus doesn't go, he follows. He who cried out, "Jesus, son of David," was more perceptive than those who spent their days studying Scripture.

Application

No one understood at the time what was about to happen. So some would fulfill the Scriptures and crucify Jesus. Others afterward would finally understand. And it would be miraculous. If the Lord does not open our eyes, no one would see. One last mercy, one last illustration before Jesus is condemned to die. But Jesus grants it, putting the small wishes of a blind man ahead of whatever weight He might be carrying at the moment. How often am I asked for something that seems insignificant to me while I'm caring something so much heavier. Jesus granted the request, so should I lay aside my burden long enough to grant the requests of those around me.