I want to see

Scripture:  Mark 10

They spent some time in Jericho. As Jesus was leaving town, trailed by his disciples and a parade of people, a blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting alongside the road. When he heard that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by, he began to cry out, “Son of David, Jesus! Mercy, have mercy on me!” Many tried to hush him up, but he yelled all the louder, “Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped in his tracks. “Call him over.”
They called him. “It’s your lucky day! Get up! He’s calling you to come!” Throwing off his coat, he was on his feet at once and came to Jesus.
Jesus said, “What can I do for you?”
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
“On your way,” said Jesus. “Your faith has saved and healed you.”
In that very instant he recovered his sight and followed Jesus down the road.

Observation:

Here, we see a man who is not treated with dignity.  We see a blind beggar, Tim's son, known by reputation.  I get the impression he had a reputation as a loud mouth public menace.  Why else would the people be so eager to shut him up when he calls after Jesus?  He's a disruption!  I wonder if people thought that he was faking blindness in order to beg for money?  I wonder if they maybe thought he was a charlatan?  (If you've been in the city you've passed by men with cardboard signs that read "Homeless vet.  Broke.  Need money. Anything will help. God bless.") Most of the time we ignore them, don't we?  
But Jesus invites him over to himself.  And when Jesus asks him what he wants him to do for him, he says he wants to see!  Jesus says, "your faith has saved you." And his sight is restored.  (How had he lost his sight?)  The man's faith in Jesus as 'merciful son of David' saves him.  He trusts that Jesus is the one chosen and appointed by God to bring about God's Kingdom, God's shalom.  He's also willing to give up the life of a beggar to see again---a sign to Jesus that his request was authentic.  He didn't want to live as a beggar with a reputation as a nuisance.  He wanted to see. He wanted to be whole.  He wanted to regain the ability to work and play and take part in community life more fully. 

Application

Healing miracles happen.  Tina has been struggling with eye problems for over two years.  She's been a nurse for 40 years and has been somewhat forced into retirement because of her eye problems and a recent back surgery. Tina has seen many specialists about her eyes because of severe double vision.  She's had multiple eye surgeries and no one has helped her.  When she went to a specialist with an article that described her condition, the cause of it, and the surgical cure, the doctor laughed at her.  But the doctor recommended another doctor, who he thought might help.  Unbeknownst to him, that doctor was the author of that article.  When she saw him, he believed her and told her he could fix her double vision!  She came into my office this week with tears of hope and thanksgiving.  She told be that before she went to see that doctor, she came into the church and prayed for God to heal her.  And God sent her to a doctor who could restore her sight!  And he did.  She had surgery on Thursday and has immediate restoration of sight.  Now she'll be able to resume the life she wants to live as a volunteer, a grandmother, and a nurse.  Thanks be to God.  
What blindness do we suffer from?  Who are we failing to see, acknowledge, encounter?  What do we need Jesus to do for us?  What miracle would we like Jesus to do for you, so that you might follow him with greater faith? 

Prayer:
Lord, healing miracles happen everyday.  Help us to see and announce your mercy, Jesus son of David, when they do.  Amen.  
Lord, healing is real.