“And Jesus said unto him, ‘Go your way; your faith has made you whole.’ And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus in the way.”
Mark 10:52
When He’s touched us—really, really touched us—we don’t want to leave His side.
Imagine, if you will, how Bartimaeus must have felt that day when, suddenly, he was able to see. Even now we can see those once-sightless eyes looking around in astonishment. Like a kid in a candy store he stood there looking up into the big, blue sky. . .watching the puffy white clouds passing by. He looked to his right and saw his first tree, its green leaves like some canopy surrounding the trunk and its boughs seemingly stretching their branches to Heaven in praise and worship.
No doubt he looked into the faces of the crowd that had just rebuked him, but didn’t let their scoldings just a few minutes (v.48) before sour this savory moment. And, then he looked into Jesus’ eyes (if he hadn’t done that already) and fell to his knees—hot tears of gratitude running down his cheeks and puddling in the dirt below.
Luke’s version says “And immediately he received his sight and followed Him, glorifying God” (18:43a). We can well imagine his shouts of praise were just as loud as his previous passionate pleas for mercy.
“Thank You, Jesus! Thank You for touching me and healing me. Thank You for opening my eyes so I can see. Praise be to You, O God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for sending Your Son, Jesus, here today to show me Your Mercy and Grace. Hallelujah!!”
What’s interesting is that Bartimaeus seemingly disobeyed Jesus that day, for the Master told him to “Go your way,” which simply meant “You can go on home now, Bartimaeus. Go live a new and normal life.”
But, he didn’t “go his way.”
Instead he immediately “followed Jesus in the way, glorifying God” (v.52; Lk. 18:43).
A herd of wild horses or legion of angels couldn’t separate him from Jesus’ side—so great was his gratitude for God’s Grace. Even though some would have said “Jesus, let me go home and look in the dear faces of my parents and family for the first time; then I’ll follow You,” such was not the case for Bartimaeus.
He had more important things to do: Following Jesus.
And, it’s interesting “All the people who saw it gave praise unto God” (Lk. 18:43b).
Isn’t it wonderful to know the Heavenly Father uses us to stir others’ lives when they see the radical change in us? Aren’t you glad it’s not up to you to convince them of their sins or need of Him, but simply to praise and worship Him? Glory!!
May the Holy Spirit help us today to spend much time glorifying Him in all we say and do. May praise and thanksgiving replace grumbling and complaining and may our transformed life make others want Jesus to do the same in their lives.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated October 30, 2009
