Daily Radio Bible - March 2nd, 22

I Want to See

Numbers 32- 33 and Mark 10

Jesus once said :

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, (Lk 4:18 NIV)

Sight to the Blind.  That’s what’s happening here with blind Bartimaeus.  He’s about to receive his sight, and yet, even before his eyes are opened, he sees things that others don’t see.  We’re told that the miracle of his sight began first, with his hearing.  He had heard that Jesus of Nazareth was coming his way.  He heard that this Jesus - who did not disregard the poor, who would not be cowed by religious leaders, who was a friend to sinners - was coming his way.  He heard this and he knew that this Jesus was the One the world was waiting for, the One his world was waiting for. So he shouts at the top of his voice.  He won’t be silenced. 

When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mk 10:47 NLT)

He is the one that the prophets foretold, the Son of David, the anticipated anointed One.  Son of David, have mercy on me.  He knows that he is the messiah.  And he also knows that he is his Messiah.  We’re told that he says:

"My rabbi," the blind man said, "I want to see!" (Mk 10:51 NLT)

My Rabbi.  The miracle of his sight began first by hearing of this Jesus of Nazareth.  And that’s what I want to do every day for the rest of my life - hear of Jesus of Nazareth, the one who has come to rescue hungry broken sinners like me. 

May our souls be reminded every day that Jesus of Nazareth, Our Rabbi,  is coming by, and that he opens eyes and gives us life.  

You are loved!