The Bible says that Bartimaeus was doing the regular daily “exercise” – sitting at the city gates and relying on the pilgrims’ mercy for his dinner. There must have been a decent amount of dust on his clothes… over his body… And the heat certainly couldn’t have made his situation any better. But what else could he do? He’s an outcast after all – a cast out one.

But Bartimaeus isn’t just any outcast. Not just any blind guy. He isn’t just any beggar either. Bartimaeus is a believer, but not just any – a true one he is. The Bible says he heard Jesus approaching and began to shout – perhaps a usual picture given the popularity of the Lord. He was an emerging star for many of his time. The picture becomes unusual when a minute goes by and blind Bartimaeus is still shouting. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Some from the crowd tried to shut him, but apparently whatever he had lost with his sight had now turned into a voice amplifier.

“Jesus stopped and said, Call him.” I have to pause here and wonder if he really didn’t hear him the first time. Never mind, perhaps the crowd around him was far too big. So, they called Batrimaeus – “Cheer up!” they told him, it’s your day today. And oh, boy, did he run! In fact, he was so determined that his sole possession didn’t concern him. His roof and blanket, his mat and jacket – his cloak… thrown away for the by-standers to have, should they wish. For he knew there was something of much greater value waiting for him.

Being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1, NIV

“What do you want me to do for you?”, Jesus asked him. Man! What kind of a question is that – from the One who ought to know everything? That didn’t seem to bother Bartimaeus though, not even a bit. “Rabbi, I want to see.” Period.

Have you realized that nowhere in the stories of Jesus’ miracles do we read “Lord, you know, perhaps, if it’s possible and won’t be too much to ask – could you heal me… But, really, just the basics – I’ll take care of the rest with some herbs.” The people in need which Jesus came across seemed to know what they want. Recall the woman with the bleeding – she was telling herself, only if I touch his cloak I’ll be healed. And, and that Roman centurion – he said, listen, Jesus – I, like you, am also a man of authority. I say “do this” and it gets done. Don’t even bother coming over, just say it and my servant will be well again.

Have you ever wondered what you would answer to Jesus if he was to ask you that very same “What do you want me to do for you?” I’d understand if you say “no” – I hadn’t thought of it myself either. After all, how often do we get asked such a question these days. But now that you know the question – what would your answer be? Would your answer reflect where your hope really lays… or would it reflect where your hope should really lay? Or would it reflect something completely different?

See, Bartimaeus knew what he hoped for. He also knew that Jesus could give it to him, although he had probably only heard about him… rumors and stuff. Remember, he was blind – couldn’t have seen it done before, that’s for sure. Yet all this, combined with an immeasurable certainty and conviction gave him the power to shout all the more when people told him to shut up. Getting to Jesus just became a whole lot easier – no possession held any importance at all… If he had anything else which could potentially make him run slower, he would have abandoned that as well, giving it no second thought. That’s faith – a blind man’s certainty that he will see again.

The more I read his story, the more I wish I would be as blind as Bartimaeus, so that I may have the hope that one day I will see; the power to not stop shouting even when everyone tries to shut me up; and the certainty that knows no obstructions.

This verse is a part of a passage from the Gospel according to John in which Jesus teaches a lesson on faith to one of his 12 chosen disciples. Although the described event took place newarly 2000 years ago, Jesus’ answer is just as relevant to us today as it was back then to Thomas. Let us question ourselves sincerely – do we walk by faith or by sight? Do we pray by faith or by sight?

The truth is, for many Christians the saying “Gotta see to believe” has become a way of life. Don’t also skip the fact that the society around us encourages us to not trust anything or anyone, before we can touch and see first… And that goes on daily basis. Thus, slowly but steadily many forget about the true meaning of the word faith. This becomes an even greater problem when it comes to prayer. There is a real danger that each of us can lose faith if it is not being nurtured by a continual fellowship with God through His Word. One day you or I can wake up with an unsolvable problem in our lives and offended or even angry turn to God with the words: “Show me and I’ll believe that you have not abandoned me!”

A significant part of the non-believers today use precisely this argument for their unbelief – God has not shown himself in this and that way and that’s why I don’t believe He exists. Sometimes God choses to show Himself in a supernatural way and the faith of those who believe then is counted – just as Jesus reaffirmed Thomas’ faith. But as He said in that same passage – blessed are those who first believe.
A brief look at God’s Word reveals that all who were healed by Jesus had faith before that healing took place. Nowhere is it to be found in the Bible something like: “You have been healed because you first waited to see me and only after that you believed in me.” We should, instead take a lesson from what we can read in Luke 7:1-10 as a part of the dialogue between a Roman centurion and Jesus: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. … When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” So, do you have the faith to say in your prayer “Lord, I know you hear me. If it is your will, do heal… do provide… do save…”?

Sometimes God does not answer our prayers. Other times His answers have nothing to do with how we thought He will answer… One thing is for sure though – if you and I approach prayer with faith and not with requirements or demands, then whether God answers or not we will be drawn closer to Him. And our faith will grow as well.
If, on the other hand, we pray wanting to see a miracle, so that we may believe, then there is a chance we will lose even the little bit of faith that drives us to pray.

Pay attention to how you pray! Move forward fearlessly and in confidence with faith in God through prayer. Only then nothing and no one will be able to stand on the way between you and God.