Ministry Updates for Thursday, April 30th, 2020
Scripture for Reflection – Mark 10:51-52 (Review Mark 10:46-50 if you need to)
Then Jesus said to him (the beggar), “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Reflection – What Do You Want Me to Do for You? (Part 3 of 3 – Your Faith)
Jesus tells Bartimaeus, ‘Your faith has made you well’. His faith had multiple dimensions.
First, Bartimaeus had faith Jesus could hear him above the crowd. Sometimes people hesitate to pray because, well, you know, other people have bigger problems. God has time for you. It is just what we do for people we love. We take the time, whether the issue is small or large.
Second, Bartimaeus had faith Jesus could heal him and reverse the loss of sight he suffered. We are often led to believe faith and science are at odds. They are not. Faith is about purpose and meaning. Science is about facts. Science supports faith. Studies show when people have life-threatening illnesses purpose is critical. Believing they have a reason to live for, people are far more likely to overcome illness. Science supports faith. And faith also supports science. We pray scientists will find a cure and a prevention for COVID-19.
Third, Bartimaeus had faith he could be more self-reliant if he were healed. He did not ask for cash in his basket, the expected request of a beggar. He asked to gain more control of his life. In this pandemic, how many are simply hoping for ‘cash in the basket’, and to go back to the way things were. The way of faith is forward not back. The perfect life in the Garden of Eden is gone forever. We seek the kingdom of heaven as it is and as it will be, not as it once was.
Jesus did not just heal Bartimaeus. Jesus affirmed his faith. And so we see a fourth dimension of Bartimaeus’ faith: we are told he followed Jesus on the way. This of course is short on specifics, but the point is important. Faith is not about events. It is a way of life. And we are capable of exercising the same faith that Bartimaeus had.
So… what do you want Jesus to do for you? Your faith will make you well.
Prayer
God of our faith, our hope and our love, Jesus taught us a little faith goes a long way. We humbly pray you would hear our voices above the crowd. We humbly pray you would heal us of our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual ailments. We humbly pray you would give us faith to continue to follow you on your way, trusting in you to deliver the new day which is today, and the new days which will come as we emerge from this pandemic. Amen.