Two Simple Requirements and We Are Simply Getting It Wrong

And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road. [Mark 10.52]

Jesus' words to Bartimaeus should strike a chord in us.

There were two simple factors in Bartimaeus' healing: 1) He sought Jesus, and 2) He believed in Jesus.

Isn't it great that Jesus did not make a big theological discussion about Bartimaeus being healed? Why didn't Jesus make a big deal of it? Ah, there is a good question indeed!

Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem where He would suffer and die on the Cross. The matter-of-fact healing of Bartimaeus was indeed just that. Jesus already had sight of changing history and Bartimaeus' faith served to indicate just how significant history was about to be changed! For all the complexities of Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection, mankind's response would be to simply believe in Him.

Jesus did not discuss "God's will" or even "His own will" concerning Bartimaeus, but indicated it was entirely an act of Bartimaeus' faith.

Now, before it seems I have totally oversimplified this story and its meaning, let me throw in a final observation. Bartimaeus was healed. His blind eyes began to see. He was changed. His faith became evident. 

How does this complicate the story?

It only complicates the story for us. There was obviously no complication for Jesus. And, there was obviously no complication for Bartimaeus (he was healed). We, on the other hand, say we believe but remain unhealed. Who might be the problem party in our scenario then? It can only be us!

As I have grown increasingly more aware over the past months and years, what we call faith today and what the Bible demonstrates as faith are two very different things. I will just go ahead and say it here and now - the problem lies with us. At some point, we must reconcile with our denial of the existence of this problem. Until we conclude that, regardless how educated or spiritual we may think ourselves to be, our faith is in dire deficit because so few of us ever advance beyond merely "confessing faith" into enjoying the manifest benefits of it. Something is wrong! And, compared to Bartimaeus' simple demonstration of faith, our faith is seriously flawed!

How many more books must be written about faith? How many more sermons and teachings about faith must be delivered before we actually see evidence of our faith as with Bartimaeus? WE ARE IN TROUBLE and all we are doing is "confessing ourselves" into continued "blindness."

Where do we start to remediate this problem? Do we start with high theology and doctrines? I don't think so. Remember, there were two simple factors in Bartimaeus' healing: 1) He sought Jesus, and 2) He believed in Jesus. We are amiss to remedy our condition any other way.

Based on our lack or results today, we can conclude that, 1) We are not seeking Jesus regardless what we say, and 2) We are therefore not believing in Jesus. There are two simple requirements, and we are simply getting it wrong!

If people who performed miracles will be told "depart from me, I never knew you," (Matthew 7.21-23) then what can we expect to hear if we are miracle-less? Somebody, sometime, somewhere HAS to start asking this question!

Father, forgive me for my denial of my obvious powerless condition. I want to know You and particularly so as You have revealed Yourself in Jesus Christ the Messiah. I want to be healed.!