We all need Jesus to heal our eyes and to help us to see. But first, we must admit we are blind spiritually.

20 So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.

There is a storybook that I used to read to my children that always touched me. Here it is (less the pictures):

Poor blind Bartimaeus. His eyes were sick. He couldn’t see the sun. He couldn’t see the trees. He couldn’t see the houses. He couldn’t see people. But Bartimaeus could hear. and one day–
He heard lots of people walking. Step. Step. Step. He heard lots of people talking. Talk. Talk. Talk.
“What is happening?” asked Bartimaeus. “What is happening?”
“It’s Jesus,” somebody said. “Jesus is coming down the road. We’re all walking with Him.”
It’s Jesus, Bartimaeus said to himself. Jesus can make my eyes well.
“Jesus,” he called. “Help me! Jesus, help me!”
Now, lots of people were making noise walking. Lots of people were making noise talking, BUT–
Jesus heard Bartimaeus anyway, and Jesus stood still. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked kindly. “Lord,” said Bartimaeus, “I want to see again.” What do you think Jesus said?
I’ll tell you what Jesus said. He said yes. “You may see.” He told Bartimaeus. And all at once–
Bartimaeus saw the sun. Bartimaeus saw the trees. Bartimaeus saw the houses. Bartimaeus saw the people. But best of all–Bartimaeus saw Jesus.
From “Read-Aloud Bible Stories vol. 1

Bartimaeus is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. It illustrates our own need for Jesus to heal our eyes. Here are some fun facts about this real account:

1. It’s in Matthew (20:29-34), Mark (10:46-52) and Luke (18:35-43).
2. In Luke, it is a man; in Mark, the man is called Bartimaeus; in Matthew, it is two men, a man and (assumed,) Bartimaeus.
3. They were on the side of the road outside of Jericho that leads to Jerusalem. Jesus was headed there for His triumphal entry.
4. They may have heard that Jesus had gone to Zacchaeus’ house, which would give them hope.
5. They cried out for mercy, which is exactly what Jesus came to give mankind, “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mathew 9:13
6. Jesus said, “Your faith has healed you.” We know faith to mean that we trust enough to act on what we believe. Bartimaeus and his friend believed that Jesus could heal them, so they cried out, and Jesus gave them their sight.
7. They received their sight and followed Jesus along the road. They probably went all the way to Jerusalem (only a few miles) and possibly laid their coats down in front of His donkey as Jesus rode into Jerusalem that day. They could have cried, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9).

Tomorrow, we will look at more Scriptures that deal with spiritual blindness. Until then, let us continue to look to Jesus for spiritual wisdom and insight.

Abba, may we worship You today with a clear understanding of You as our Lord and Savior, the Son of God, who is the Second member of the Trinity, God the Son. You alone are worthy to be praised. Amen and amen.