“And Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ And the blind man said to him, ‘Rabbi, let me recover my sight.’” – Mark 10:51
We marvel, of course, at Jesus’ ability to restore the sight of blind Bartimaeus. In granting what he desired most, Jesus grants the freedom from darkness and poverty he longed for. However, we must recognize that this encounter and when it took place is no mere coincidence!
This divine appointment in which Jesus gives sight to the blind occurs just before Jesus entered Jerusalem on the week that would end with His death and resurrection. This encounter, in which Jesus restores the ability of the physically blind to see, vividly highlights the profound spiritual blindness that will crucify Jesus.
In Jerusalem, Jesus will confront and be confronted by national and religious leaders who are deeply blind in a spiritual sense. The long-promised Messiah is present among them. His miracles, His teaching, His very power to draw a crowd all attest to the truth of Who He is. The outcasts know, but the elite refuse to see it. Their hunger for power, status, and the status quo blind them to the truth which even a blind man can see clearly.
Blindness to their own sin and the salvation standing before them leads them to condemn and crucify Jesus. Yet, despite all that, Jesus will pray for their forgiveness. As we encounter Jesus each morning, let us pray for Him to heal any spiritual blindness we may have. Ask God to show you hidden sin that needs confession. Ask Him to reveal hardness of heart or persistent disobedience to Christ’s commands or character. Ask Him to reveal where He wants to transform you. Lord, give us eyes to see!