30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 18 35-43 THE FAITH OF BARTIMAEUS 02 Blindness of the heart
📖 Luke 18:35-43
01Nov2020 - *Blindness of the heart* - _Luke 18:35-43_ - THE FAITH OF BARTIMAEUS 2 – Bible reading: _John 12:37-41_
God is calling all of us, both those affected by a disability or a crisis and those unaffected, to live by the principles of God. We can only do so when we are in a relationship with Him, where God is our habitat. We live in Him. He is our atmosphere, our environment. When we do so, what we once perceived as our weakness, actually becomes our place of strength.
Bartimaeus was to soon enter into the habitat of God
_Luke 18:35-37 Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. (36) And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. (37) So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by._
A stirring of faith was beginning to happen in the heart of Bartimaeus. Though he was unable to see, Bartimaeus was suddenly aware that a big event was taking place around him. A multitude was passing close to him. Bartimaeus was frantic to know from the crowd what was going on. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.
For the crowd, Jesus of Nazareth passing by was ‘the event’ of the day. This crowd was eager to witness a miracle being performed before their eyes and then they would have something to talk about for the next few days.
_Matthew 21:10-11 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?" (11) So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee."_
The condition of the majority is only to be curious onlookers. This was not how it was with Bartimaeus. God had already placed a stir in his heart. This stir in his heart was the beginning of faith in Bartimaeus.
God does stir our hearts ever so often to see, if we are eager to connect with Him or whether we only want to be entertained.
_John 12:34-36 The people answered Him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?" (35) Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. (36) While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them._
Here was a wonderful opportunity for the crowds to have connected with God. Jesus wanted them to know that the light of the world had come among them and they should seek to receive Him. Instead, the crowds were curious spectators, who questioned Him but did not believe in Him.
The Lord is passing by us every day, in different ways. We can either choose to remain as curious event gazers or convert that moment into a moment of faith.
_John 12:37-41 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, (38) that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED?" (39) Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: (40) “HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HARDENED THEIR HEARTS, LEST THEY SHOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, LEST THEY SHOULD UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEARTS AND TURN, SO THAT I SHOULD HEAL THEM." (41) These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him._
The crowd had visual sight but they were blind or as we can see, they chose to remain in their blindness. Whereas, Bartimaeus, who was physically blind was now beginning to see. His inner eyes were beginning to open. Jesus was Nazareth was passing and Bartimaeus was not going to let Him or this moment pass.
Faith was stirring in the heart of Bartimaeus. As will soon see, Bartimaeus expressed his faith and he began to shout.
_Romans 10:8-10 But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): (9) that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation._
Friends, do not let Jesus pass by. Reach out, grab the opportunity, convert life’s moments into moments of faith. Faith is only born, when what you give intellectual and heart concurrence to is expressed in your words and in your actions. Keep in mind, salvation is ongoing. We are continuously being saved from our moments of disbelief.
Probably the greatest repentance that the church needs at this moment is to repent from our cynicism, our sarcasm and our scepticism. We are like the crowds that were watching Jesus passing by.
*Thought to ponder*
```Convert every moment in life into a moment of faith.```