How to break through and get to God {a lesson from a blind man}

“He began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’” Mark 10:47

To his amazement Bartimaeous got Jesus’ attention.  Jesus of Nazareth stopped and told some men to call him.  They approached Bartimaeous and told him to cheer up and get on your feet.  He’s calling you.  

There he sat, a beggar, on the edge of a dirt road right outside the city.  His old coat and worn out clothes smelled like dingy earth. His hands reaching up to grab hold of anything someone would throw his way.  His body was familiar with the draft of wind he felt as people walked by.  Though he was blind, he could sense disgust towards him.  He was dismissed as nothing more than a part of the road blending in with the soil, gravel, and ground.  Ignored. Unimportant. Forgotten.  A blind cast away who wanted nothing more than to see. 

Day after day this man begged on side of the road but today something made him lift his chin.  He swiveled his head to the left and quickly to the right.  Something was different about this day.  From a distance he heard people, lots of people walking in his direction.  He could hear the chattering amongst men and the shuffling of feet in every direction he turned his head.  He overheard someone say Jesus of Nazareth was among them.  Jesus of Nazareth!?  Could it be!?  The large crowd of people was now around him.  They were loud and soon would be walking past him. If he didn’t do something now he would miss his chance to get Jesus’ attention.  He couldn’t contain himself! 

In Mark 10: 46-52, we are introduced to a blind man named Bartimaeous who sits on side of the road begging.  He had heard about Jesus who heals.  He wanted to be healed.  He wanted to see.  If only he could come face to face with this Jesus.  But would Jesus notice an unwanted overlooked individual like him?  Nobody else ever had so why should Jesus.   

He didn’t have time to think this through.  It was now or never!  With the crowd of people all around Bartimaeous starts shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The bible says many tried to quiet him with sharp words of rebuke.  But the harsh words and criticism from the people made him more determined to get the attention of Jesus.  He cried out and shouted again even louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet!  He’s calling you.”
Mark 10: 49

“Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.” Mark 10: 50

Bartimaeous jumped up, threw off his coat and went to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Lord, I want to see.” What faith this blind man had!  Bartimaeous didn’t beat around the bush. He didn’t stumble over his words and tell Jesus how long he’s been blind or question whether Jesus could heal him or whether He even wanted to heal him.  Bartimaeous told Jesus exactly what he wanted…. to see!
 

Have you waited long enough to get an answer to your prayer?  Let today be your day! 

How to Breakthrough and Get to God {Lessons from a Blind man}

Call on Him. How many times have we hoped to be healed, hoped to be refreshed, hoped to be restored?  But that’s all we do.  We just hope.  Well not today.  Don’t hold back.  Cry and shout out to God to have mercy on you.   Let today be the day you do more than hope.

Be earnest. Don’t give up.  So you’ve cried out and shouted for God to have mercy on you, for God to heal you but people are criticizing you, rebuking you, talking about you behind your back.  Three words… Don’t.  Give.  Up.  Don’t give up!  I know people’s words can be harsh.  I am sorry.  I know they can be rude.  I am sorry.  Allow me to reach through this computer and wrap my virtual arms around you and tell you don’t give up.  Shout again. Cry out to God again to have mercy on you. 

Believe Jesus heard you and wants you to come to Him. How many times have you cried out to God?  Prayed for mercy? Prayed for healing? How many times do you doubt that He heard you?  He hears you.  He has stopped and turned to you. You got His attention.  It’s time for you to believe He heard you and wants you to come to Him.  Go ahead jump up on your feet like Bartimaeous because Jesus heard you!

Throw off the unnecessary load.  That cloak.  How long had Bartimaeous had that filthy foul cloak on his back?  Something compelled Bartimaeous to take off that dirty smelly old cloak.  He didn’t want anything slowing him down to get to Jesus.  He wanted the unnecessary load gone.  Is there something “dirty” in your life, an unnecessary load you are carrying, a burden that is weighing you down?  Today be bold and throw it off!

Don’t wait.  Go to Jesus. All it took for Bartimaeous was someone to say Jesus is calling for him. He wasn’t going to question whether this was true or not.  He wasn’t going to wait any longer and shout some more. He quickly got up went to Jesus.  What are you waiting for?  Go to Jesus.

“What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. 
The blind man said, “Lord, I want to see.”
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.”
Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Mark 10: 51

Last, be specific with your need. What is your specific need, your precise prayer request?  No need to ask God if it is His will to heal you or question whether He wants to set you free.  It’s time to believe that Jesus wants you completely healed and completely set free.  Just as Jesus asked Bartimaeous, He is asking you, “What do you want Me to do for you?” He is waiting for your reply.

Prayer:  Lord, I have cried out to You for mercy and you have heard me.  Thank You for giving me strength to not give up in seeking You. Thank You for calling me to You.  I want to reply to Your question “What do you want Me to do for you?”  ______(Your reply)__________________________ .

I would love to pray along side of you.  Comment first name and I will also call your name out to God :)  Be blessed!  Also, feel free to encourage someone reading this in comment section.