So siblings,
We are ending this wilderness journey with Jesus, which started in part as a lesson on honour, but could also now be seen as a lesson on prayer. Were there new lessons for you? My eyes certainly were. Let’s see whether there’s more to glean as we consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Mark 10:52 AFV
[52] And Jesus said to him “Go your way, for your faith has healed you.” Then he immediately received sight, and he followed Jesus in the way.
Immediately He Received, He
As a lesson about honour, this story has been clear. Y’shua told the Sons of Thunder that honour requires service and sacrifice. Yet, this part of the journey places the disciples as spectators along with the crowd. In fact, they might have been the crowd. None of them was mentioned as an assistant to Y’shua. Not the Sons of Thunder, not Peter. And definitely not the other mine. We realize therefore, that despite their profession of faith to drink of Y’shua’s cup (see the preceding verses, particularly verses 38-40), the Sons of Thunder were not ready!
It leads me to think once more about prayer. For, both Bartimeus’ actions and the disciples’ responses to Jesus carry a very critical lesson for us to zero in on. Let’s phrase it as the Self-Check
Self-Check
When we pray, how prepared are we for the accompanying consequences or responsibilities?
Digging Deeper
It’s true, not all of us pray selfishly. That doesn’t always mean our requests are reasonable. Moreover, sometimes we truly are not ready for the commensurate responsibility. We don’t always wish to sacrifice in exchange for our reward. And, unlike Bartimeus, we don’t always follow through with service after our prayer is answered positively, or honour is bestowed upon us.
Between the prayer, rather, we could say, between our petition and its fulfilment, there are some critical lessons.
1. We previously reflected on Barrimeus’ determination. He allowed nothing to distract him from crying out to Y’shua. Remember, God rewards those who diligently ask God’s face (seeJeremiah 29:13)
Let’s persevere in prayer
2. Having pressed in, Bartimeus also ensured that he was heard. The crowd (probably the disciples too) told him what he couldn’t see. It was confirmation that Jesus heard him. That knowledge came from his willingness to listen for Y’shua. This was further corroborated by his actions when he faced Jesus: Bartimeus listened for Y’shua’s voice. He ensured he was acknowledged (see Psalm 34:4).
Let’s listen for Y’shua’s voice.
3. As he prepared to meet Jesus, Bartimeus took his beggars’ coat off. Today that action reminds me of the admonition that we take off every yoke that would restrict us. But, better yet, Isaiah 10:27 tells us: “And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing“. There is an anointing that comes with being in Y’shua’s presence that removes restrictions/burdens. As we go to Christ, let’s give Him our burdens
Let’s give Him our burdens
4. Hebrews 12:1 came to mind, and it speaks about discarding the weights that set us back, and running with endurance. Bartimeus ran, through the crowd despite his disability, urged on by the crowd, and placed his petition before his Saviour.
Let’s not only lay our sins aside; let us also run to Christ, and run to him firstly.
5. When asked what he wanted from God, Bartimeus didn’t waffle. His response was clear. He wanted to see. Do we know exactly what we want from Y’shua? That’s what Philippians 4:6 encourages us to do.
Let’s make our requests clear
6. Siblings, before, during, and after he approached Y’shua, Bartimeus had faith. He believed that Y’shua is the Son of God, He sought Him with expectation to be seen/ heard, and having gained audience with Jesus, he believes that he would receive his request. In fact, Y’shua told him that it was his faith that healed him.
Let’s pray, with faith, believing that Christ WILL supply our needs (see Philippians 4:9).
7. And, after he received his sight, he followed him. I’m going to stretch that a bit (since we had reflected on following Jesus earlier), to say that Bartimeus was grateful. We cannot forgot to be thankful, regardless of what the outcome of our prayer is. Paul reminds us to do so in 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
For some of us, it’s hard to be thankful when we are disappointed, let’s be thankful anyways. We may also find ourselves forgetting to say thanks, do it belatedly.
Let’s conclude our prayers with gratitude
It’s my hope that these seven points will sustain us each time we prepare to seek God, through Jesus Christ.
Point to Ponder
What do we need to do differently in our prayer life?
Blessed Thanksgiving to all
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May all we seek be found in Christ
