When He was leaving the city with His followers and many people, a blind man was sitting by the road. He was asking people for food or money as they passed by. His name was Bartimaeus.

He heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. He began to speak with a loud voice, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!” Many people spoke sharp words to the blind man telling him not to call out like that. But he spoke all the more. He said, “Son of David, take pity on me.” Jesus stopped and told them to call the blind man. They called to him and said, “Take hope! Stand up, He is calling for you!” As he jumped up, he threw off his coat and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Lord, I want to see!”

Mark 10:46-51 (NLV)

Bartimaeus had a bold kind of faith. He had possibly spent his entire lifetime sitting in the dark. Having no ability to work, he was destined to a life of begging. When he heard about Jesus, who He was, what He could do, Bartimaeus had bold faith. The story doesn’t tell us how many years he had sat in the dark, waiting for a miracle, but it was long enough to know that Jesus was his only hope. Others tried to shut him up, for such an outcast had no right to be heard, but Bartimaeus’ faith was stronger than that. He KNEW what he needed, and he KNEW what Jesus would do! Oh that we might have bold faith like Bartimaeus! There is much for us to learn from faith like that. 

Like Bartimaeus, when you find yourself sitting in darkness and desperation, call out to Jesus! When Jesus asks,“What do you want me to do for you?” Simply say, “Jesus, I want to SEE! I want to take my eyes off of my circumstances, and look around to see what breaks Your heart in this world. I want to tell others to take hope and stand up, because You are calling them out of the darkness, too! When I feel uncomfortable, even threatened, by those I don’t understand, those who look different, live differently, or worship differently than me, I want to see what YOU see! I want to see them as Your precious children, and love them like You do…like You love me. Give me Your heart for them, Jesus, and overwhelm my cowardly faith with Your bold LOVE!! Amen.” You are loved…so GO LOVE BIG!!