Have you ever wondered how to find healing in God?
Many of us are going through or have gone through situations in our lives that have left us with consequences on a physical, psychological, emotional, or spiritual level.
Truth be told, we all need some kind of healing at some point in our lives.
I would like to share with you a message of hope based on a beautiful story in the Bible in which a man found healing for his life.
This story unfolds during Jesus’ ministry on his last journey to Jerusalem.
Then they came to Jericho.
As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging.
When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”
Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.”
Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Marcos 10:46-52
There is something in the person of Jesus that draws human beings to himself.
Although some may prefer to keep their distance, we tend to see Jesus surrounded by many people in gospel accounts.
That day was no different.
Many people followed him along the way as he traveled to another city.
All with different interests, dreams, longings, and needs.
Some of those needs were met by Jesus, even though at other times people’s expectations were not aligned with the reality of his ministry.
The reason Jesus was among them exceeded the earthly expectations of many of the people.
The main reason for his ministry was to win and reconcile human hearts to God.
His miracles were a tool to help people in this process, which was even more important than the miracle itself.
As they walked through a city called Jericho, a blind man heard and felt the commotion.
What’s going on? He asked.
Jesus of Nazareth is passing by, a compassionate voice said.
Bartimaeus, blind for many years.
In his condition of need and vulnerability.
Abandoned and marginalized by society, he longed to have the opportunity for his circumstances to change.
Rumors of Jesus’ miracles had previously reached his ears, and for some time he longed to find out why he thought there was hope in Him.
And as often happens in life.
One day that moment comes.
The opportunity of a lifetime comes.
The opportunity to know Jesus personally.
The opportunity to embrace the blessed hope of something better and more transcendental than the outrages to which life had subjected him.
He is quick to shout desperately amid the tumult and uproar of the crowd: “Jesus, Son of David, have compassion on me!”
Again and again, more and more strongly and with greater fear that the plea he exclaimed would not reach the ears of the author of life.
What Bartimaeus did not yet know is that there is no sincere request to be expressed in faith that Jesus is not willing to attend to, value, and give an answer.
No matter how many people around us may try to stop us from doing it.
A particularly salient detail of this story, and which I think reveals the reason why this particular episode is recorded in the gospels, can be clearly seen in Bartimaeus’ statement.
“Son of David,” he calls Jesus.
The term “Son of David” was a term designated at the time for the Messiah.
God’s special emissary to save mankind.
While the political and religious leaders of the region refused to accept that Jesus was that promised Messiah.
The poor and the ignorant could see without prejudice the obvious reality.
Jesus was indeed the one everyone expected.
When Bartimaeus calls him “son of David” he is saying I think you are who you say you are.
I think you’re the one we’ve waited for.
Beyond being a teacher, preacher, healer, or exorcist.
I think you’re the one we longed for.
The promised Messiah.
I think that sincere statement was what made the difference that day in Bartimaeus’ life.
When Jesus hears those sincere words.
They are sufficient evidence that in that place there is a person who has taken an important step towards having his life redeemed and transformed.
That man believes in Jesus as the promised savior, that man seeks Jesus’ help, knowing that He is the best chance he would have in life.
Jesus’ loving response was to attend to the need for a sincere heart in order to help him reconcile to God.
Jesus sends request his presence and presents him with the frequent and enigmatic question he used to ask many:
What do you want?
Interesting is that in his longing to redeem us, God shows no disinterest in our longings.
Jesus was there to give eternal life to that man.
However, his compassionate heart wants to give him what he longs for as well.
That day Bartimaeus asked to “see” and both his physical and spiritual eyes were opened.
He was healed of his physical need and his spiritual need.
Jesus replies, “You can leave, for your faith has healed you.”
Your faith has healed you.
Faith in what? In the miracle? Faith in the author of the miracle?.
Friend for any situation that crosses your life in which you need healing.
Whether physical, emotional, psychological or spiritual.
Don’t let your interest in solving your need take away your eyes from the one who can solve it.
Jesus is willing to give you what He considers to be best for you in His infinite wisdom and infinite love.
Are you willing to receive him into your life as the promised Messiah?
The savior of the world?
That’s the element that makes all the difference.
That’s the primary healing you need.
The story doesn’t end with the miracle.
The story ends with a man who follows Jesus.
How much I would like that to start to be the reality of your life today.
Blessings and a hug.
