Are you potentially rich but manifestly poor? I shall explain with an example. A lady once told me how her business flourishes but every profit she makes are swallowed up by problems, and she goes bankrupt again, saving nothing. And this have been the pattern. But after we prayed, the strongholds and setbacks were lifted and the situations changed spontaneously: her machine that was packed up because of lack of funds to fix it, started working perfectly without any technical interventions. Isn’t that miraculous?
Many are in this kind of bondage but are completely blind to it: they are potentially rich, but manifestly poor! They work very hard but cannot account for their efforts. They have many opportunities to be successful in life; they could even help others to attain success, but never make it because everything works against them. They have potentials or are gifted but every efforts they make yields nothing. If these depictions reflects your situation, then this message is for you.
Today Jesus encounters someone in similar condition and his story changed. If you wish to experience transformation in your life continue reading slowly…
Mk 10:46-52
As Jesus left Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (that is, the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting at the side of the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and to say, ‘Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.’ And many of them scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he only shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him here.’ So they called the blind man. ‘Courage,’ they said ‘get up; he is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and went to Jesus. Then Jesus spoke, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Rabbuni,’ the blind man said to him ‘Master, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has saved you.’ And immediately his sight returned and he followed him along the road.
POINTS FOR REFLECTION
1. Child of God, the blind man called Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) represents all those who are potentially rich but manifestly poor. His life circumstances (as a blind and poor beggar) stand at odds with his pretentious name which means son of honour (Timaeus means honour). As ‘son of honour’ he lives on the margins of the society. Instead of being honoured he was disrespected and intimidated by the people. But Jesus shows him respect and restores his sight. I minister over you reading: have men disregarded you because of your present condition? The Lord will honour and elevate you, in Jesus name. Amen.
2. When Jesus directed his attention to Bartimaeus, those who once disparaged and dishonoured him began to encourage and praise him: ‘courage, they said, he is calling you’. Isn’t that surprising? When God steps into unfavourable conditions, everything begin to work for our good; for it is written: when the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them (Prov 16:7).
3. What do you want me to do for you? Being specific, Bartimaeus replied: Lord, that I may see! And Jesus said to him: Go, your faith have saved you! FAITH saved him and not sight! Yes, faith, because we work by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5,7). This faith came through HEARING ABOUT JESUS not by recitation of any creed of faith. Hearing, because faith cometh by hearing the word of God (Rom 10, 17). This faith full of knowledge made him call Jesus by his true identity-Son of David– a messianic title many did not associate with him. With this dialogue the son of Timaeus encounters the Son of David, and the Messiah (Saviour) restores the glory of the servant, elevating him from a beggar by the road side to a follower (disciple). Beggar because he was blind, follower (disciple) because he now sees clearly. Isn’t that wonderful?
4. Many today, like Bartimaeus, need divine intervention to take away their ‘blindness’ so they can be better followers of Christ. Some are not following well physically or spiritually because they are ‘blind’ to the cause of their problems. While some are manipulated, possessed or held bound by invisible demonic forces around them, some others are held captive by physical forces in the world (men and women in the society). Whatever the conditions are, when Jesus steps in, that situation must bow!
TASK: So like Bartimaeus, rise up from your slumber now and pray Psalm 126 (before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament) saying: Deliver me Oh Lord from the bondage of …(mention its name). Be specific, raise one intention only, and address the problem by its name. The evil one accuses us day and night before God (Rev 12:10; Job 1:6-11, 2:1-4; Zec 3:1-2) just like the crowd that accused Bartimaeus before Jesus. So now make a counter accusation and condemn that problem before Jesus who sits on the throne in the Council of Holy ones (Ps 89:5-8), and He will hear you.
I pray for you: May those who mock and disrespect you because of your present situation be confounded and dismayed as the Lord raises you up. I accuse and expose that hidden problem plaguing you right now before the Most High, it will not swallow you up but you shall crush and destroy it, in Jesus name. Amen.
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