The Faith

The Faith

Luke 18:41-42, NLT

“What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!” 42And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.”

Setting the Scene

Jesus recognized the man’s faith. A poor and blind beggar could see that Jesus was the Messiah, and the crowds understood that God was to be praised for such miracles. But the religious leaders who saw his miracles were blind to his identity and refused to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Bartimaeus believed in Jesus as the Messiah and as his healer. He also put that faith into action: He shouted to Jesus, he came to him, and he publicly acknowledged Jesus as “Lord.” This wasn’t a long shot for Bartimaeus—he believed Jesus could heal him. His clear expression of his need proved it.

Biblical faith involves the whole person. We believe in our minds that Jesus is the God-man, our Lord and Savior; we trust in our hearts that he loves us and wants only good for us; we commit our lives to him through our actions, taking those steps toward him, following him closely, and doing what he says. Clearly Bartimaeus had faith in Jesus.

Getting Personal

In what ways have you demonstrated your faith in Christ lately, moving beyond words to action?

How do you respond to someone who is spiritually blind but doesn’t know it?

What real questions of need are people around you expressing?

What can you do to help people “see” the Savior?

Some people don’t realize they are spiritually blind; some don’t realize they need Jesus at all. Some believe facts about Jesus, even acknowledging him as the Son of God, but that’s where the believing stops. Others struggle with the trust issue, wondering if they really can commit themselves wholly to him.

Talking to God

Ask the Lord to give you courage and strength to make what you believe in your mind and heart real in your words and actions. Ask with confident faith, as Bartimaeus did.