When our son, Graham, was a little guy, he loved to be read to. I remember a favorite Bible Story book, with large print and beautiful illustrations. It had maybe eight or so sweet Bible stories, but Graham always chose the same one - he was completely taken with Blind Bartimaeus.
One day, when he was 2 1/2 years old, during a visit from his grandparents, Graham found the Bartimaeus story in his book, and brought it to his Mimi. Of course, she thought he wanted her to read the story to him, but, instead, the little dude started reading it aloud to her! "Poor Bartimaeus, his eyes were sick. He couldn't see the sky, he couldn't see the sun, he couldn't see anything."
Surely, we had a child-genius on our hands. Reading Bible stories at 2 years old. I'd have bragging rights in my Moms group for years to come.
Wishful thinking. The kiddo had heard the story so many times, he had it memorized - word for word. Even when to turn the page! Funny how our minds - even at 2 years old - can retain things that are important to us, things we love. And Graham loved Blind Bartimaeus.
I love the story of Bartimaeus, too. We meet him in Mark, chapter 10. He's the beggar on the side of the road. He heard a crowd coming his way, and learned that Jesus was among them. Despite the rebukes for him to be quiet and behave, he just couldn't contain himself.
"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me," he shouted, obviously loud enough to get the job done. He got Jesus' attention. Mark says that Jesus stopped, and called for this blind beggar.
Bartimaeus was up, on his feet, and running toward Jesus like a crazy man. Moments later, face to face, Jesus asks him "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus knew. He never asks a question because He needs information. Bartimaeus was given the opportunity to present his request before the Lord. And, present it he did. "Rabbi, I want to see." Respectful, yet straightforward. Blunt. Honest. He didn't waste words. Bartimaeus knew what he wanted and he knew who to ask.
That kind of faith must have made Jesus' heart happy. I just know that His face must have broken into a bright, wide smile. "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you."
The Bible says that Bartimaeus "immediately received his sight." Do you know what that means? The first thing he saw was the face of Jesus Christ.
That's worth saying again. The first thing Blind Bartemaeus saw was the face of Jesus Christ.
Bartimaeus shows us a supernatural formula: Our Faith + God's Grace = A Miracle.
We can learn a lot from this formerly blind beggar. First, he knew he was helpless, but he knew who to turn to. He knew his only hope was in Jesus. He made his request known boldly. At the risk of rebuke, ridicule and embarassment, he made a racket that wouldn't be ignored. In sheer desparation, he called out to Jesus. Jesus heard. Jesus answered.
Next, when Jesus called for him, he ran to Him. He even threw his cloak (probably one of his only earthly possessions) aside so nothing would slow him down. What slows me down in my pursuit of Jesus. Pride? Unbelief? What do I need to throw down?
And, after looking into the face of the of the King of Kings, Bartimaeus followed Him along the road. If I had been him, there's nothing that would have stopped me from staying as close to Jesus as I could. Forever.
But, wait, I am him. Just like Bartimaues, I once was blind, but now, I see.
All because of God's grace.
Amazing.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Amazing Grace
I enjoy the new worship choruses we sing at church, but I really love the old hymns. There's so much sound theology found in the pages of those old hymnals. I truly worship when we sing "There Is A Fountain," and am particularly intrigued by the second verse:
The dying theif rejoiced to see
that fountain in his day;
and there may I, thou vile as he,
wash all my sin away.
The thief on the cross. We don't even know his name. But God does. It was written in His book.
All we know about him is what the Bible tells us. He is called a criminal, his crime terrible enough to warrant the sentence of death. He was hopeless and helpless, and he knew it. By his own admission, he was only getting what he deserved. His soul was doomed. But, God had another plan. Mercy and Grace hung on the cross next to his.
There were three crosses on Mount Calvary that day. Jesus hung with a criminal on either side. Three men were to die that day. One man, scoffing and cursing the Lord until his final breath did, in fact get what he deserved.
But something spoke to the man on the other side. I guess there is something about staring Eternity in the face that will put the fear of God into a man. Being that close to Jesus changed him. Being close to Jesus changes everything.
In Luke 23, we're told that the desperate, dying, convicted criminal mustered up the humility, courage and faith to call out to the Lord - "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And our suffering Savior answered, "I assure you: today you will be with Me in Paradise."
That moment, an eternal transaction took place. The Criminal on the Cross called upon the name of the Lord, and was saved. (Romans 10:13) He was saved by pure grace, through faith (Ephesians 2). Period. No one pulled out a Gospel tract and led him in the Sinner's Prayer. He wasn't saved by "asking Jesus into his heart" or, for that matter, "giving his life to Jesus." He had no life to give. Couldn't even be baptized. The only thing he was able to do for the Lord was to trust Him, to call upon His Name. And, when Jesus "assured" him of his eternal savlation, that was enough. A done deal.
Back to our hymn - The dying thief and I have a lot in common. I am just as hopeless, helpless, guilty and condemned were it not for the blood of Jesus. The blood that does what with my sin? Rinses it out? Covers it up? No, it washes all my sin away. All of it. The criminal and I stand together, perfectly clean, before the Lord.
The nameless Thief on the Cross. He wasted his life here on earth, but he took his final breaths close enough to Jesus to hear Him whisper. He died next to the Christ. He opened his eyes in paradise, sharing Eternity with the Saviour of his soul. . .
That's grace. And it's amazing.
The dying theif rejoiced to see
that fountain in his day;
and there may I, thou vile as he,
wash all my sin away.
The thief on the cross. We don't even know his name. But God does. It was written in His book.
All we know about him is what the Bible tells us. He is called a criminal, his crime terrible enough to warrant the sentence of death. He was hopeless and helpless, and he knew it. By his own admission, he was only getting what he deserved. His soul was doomed. But, God had another plan. Mercy and Grace hung on the cross next to his.
There were three crosses on Mount Calvary that day. Jesus hung with a criminal on either side. Three men were to die that day. One man, scoffing and cursing the Lord until his final breath did, in fact get what he deserved.
But something spoke to the man on the other side. I guess there is something about staring Eternity in the face that will put the fear of God into a man. Being that close to Jesus changed him. Being close to Jesus changes everything.
In Luke 23, we're told that the desperate, dying, convicted criminal mustered up the humility, courage and faith to call out to the Lord - "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And our suffering Savior answered, "I assure you: today you will be with Me in Paradise."
That moment, an eternal transaction took place. The Criminal on the Cross called upon the name of the Lord, and was saved. (Romans 10:13) He was saved by pure grace, through faith (Ephesians 2). Period. No one pulled out a Gospel tract and led him in the Sinner's Prayer. He wasn't saved by "asking Jesus into his heart" or, for that matter, "giving his life to Jesus." He had no life to give. Couldn't even be baptized. The only thing he was able to do for the Lord was to trust Him, to call upon His Name. And, when Jesus "assured" him of his eternal savlation, that was enough. A done deal.
Back to our hymn - The dying thief and I have a lot in common. I am just as hopeless, helpless, guilty and condemned were it not for the blood of Jesus. The blood that does what with my sin? Rinses it out? Covers it up? No, it washes all my sin away. All of it. The criminal and I stand together, perfectly clean, before the Lord.
The nameless Thief on the Cross. He wasted his life here on earth, but he took his final breaths close enough to Jesus to hear Him whisper. He died next to the Christ. He opened his eyes in paradise, sharing Eternity with the Saviour of his soul. . .
That's grace. And it's amazing.
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