November 10
Traits of true faith, part 3
So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Mark 10:51 (NKJV)
When a blind street beggar named Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus nearly 2,000 years ago, he never intended to teach anyone about faith. Yet that’s precisely what he did, and we see an important trait of true faith as Jesus asks him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
Now, even the hardest-hearted skeptic will admit that Jesus was an intelligent man. You don’t have to fully agree with Him to appreciate the fact that He was witty, savvy, and knowledgeable. So it makes us scratch our heads a bit when we read Jesus asked a blind man what he wanted Him to do. Isn’t it painfully obvious? Can it be any clearer that he wanted Jesus to miraculously heal him so he can see? But Jesus asked the question for a reason. He wanted something from Bartimaeus, and He got it:
The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Mark 10:51 (NKJV)
The Lord wants us to confess to Him, because it’s an important expression and declaration of our will. It reveals to others and to us what the real condition of our heart is, and true faith is always willing to make confession, just as Bartimaeus was. But there’s one last trait of true faith we need to notice:
Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. Mark 10:52 (NKJV)
Jesus healed Bartimaeus, but that’s not the focus for us. Our focus is how Jesus gave the man freedom to go on his way. He didn’t force him to become a disciple. Yet when given this freedom, Bartimaeus decided to follow Jesus. True faith chooses to follow the Lord not because it’s duty-bound, but because it willingly wants to. After all, what else is worth following?
Examine your own faith in light of this. Are you willing to confess? Are you following? If so, you’re demonstrating two important traits of true faith.
Think About It…
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
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