Jesus and his Disciples were on their way to Jerusalem  for Passover. As they left Jericho a blind beggar cried out to him for mercy. Even though his physical eyes were blind, his spiritual eyes were open because he understood that Jesus was the Messiah. We know this because he didn’t just cry out “Jesus – great healer,” but he called him “Jesus, Son of David.” Read and/or listen to the passage here:

46 Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. 47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

48 “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.

But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”

So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” 50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.

“My rabbi,[a]” the blind man said, “I want to see!”

52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.[b]

–Mark 10:46-52 (NLT)

Do you see Jesus for who he really is? Or do you just see him as a gift-giver something like Santa Claus. Do you think of him as a spoiler with a long list of “no-nos” to avoid or as an all-knowing loving God ready to help you avoid some pitfalls in your life? Do you see him as a great example to people in a by-gone era? Or do you see him as One with the great God of the universe who holds everything together?

Align your will with his and prepare to meet the God of the universe who is there for you – not to make you comfortable, but to shape you into his glorious image yet still uniquely you in every amazing way.

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