Reverend Michael Mwangi
Senior Pastor, Fedha Church, Kenya Assemblies of God
Luke 18:35-43
35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
38 He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?”
“Lord, I want to see,” he replied.
42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
How would you love today to hear Jesus to you, “What do you want me to do for you?”
When Bartimaeus heard it was Jesus, his faith rose up. There was only one thing the man wanted, his sight. He cried to Jesus for mercy ignoring the crowd's rebukes. Jesus heard him and graciously restored him. He followed Jesus and praised God.
Every one of us is blind like Bartimaeus
Bartimaeus could not see because he was blind. He lived in limitations without hope. Worse enough, he could do nothing about it and no one could help him out. He was poor, needy and helpless. Very hopeless situation to be in. Jesus was his only hope and help.
Maybe today you are blind in a way and helpless. You don't seem to see your solution be it peace, breakthrough, life partner, job, finances, healing, restoration, or deliverance.
You are blind because despite looking for that solution you don’t seem to find it yet others have it. You desperately need to see a solution.
Some of you don't even really understand what is going on and you don't even know what to do. You are hopeless and helpless desperate for help like the psalmist... you urgently need God.
Psalm 40:17.
But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.
Jesus is in the house and asking….. what can I do for you?
Jesus is willing and able
No matter how bad your situation is, the good news is that Jesus is willing and able to help you.
He did it for Bartimaeus, He can do it for you.
Jeremiah 32:27.
I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
God is able to do what we or others cannot do for ourselves.
Matthew 19:26.
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
He is even able to do more than you can ask or imagine. Don’t let fear limit you, ask for your satisfaction.
Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
He is not only able but also willing as demonstrated by his willingness to open Bartimaeus' eyes.
Sometimes we don't doubt God's ability to do it, but we doubt if he is willing and right now.
Matthew 8:2.
A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
3. Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.
Jesus is able and willing, He is asking… what can I do for you?
3. Are you willing and ready to receive
It's one thing to be in need and looking for help and it's another thing to be ready to receive.
Bartimaeus cried out persistently because he desperately needed help.
When asked what he needed, he responded immediately and categorically "I want to see". He was not just willing, but very ready to receive. He did not doubt or bother to interrogate how it would happen. He did not bother himself with the process he was just ready to receive.
Suppose Jesus asks you today, nikufanyie nini (what can I do for you)?. Are you really ready? Ama utaanza kufikiri how hard it is, au kuuliza (or you will start to ask around)? Are you sure?
You can be needy and willing but not ready like the man at the pool, willingness is not readiness.
John 5:5
When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
6. “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
We serve a God who answers our requests. Moses asked to see his Glory and God granted him.
Exodus 33:17.
And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”
Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Jeremiah 33:3.
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Jesus is the same
What Jesus did to Bartimaeus He can do it today. He is the same today
Hebrews 13:8.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
He is alive today and still asking today;…“What do you want me to do for you?”
Point to note:
Appeal to God's mercy
Bartimaeus knew he was a sinner and not deserving. He therefore appealed God's mercy. Through mercy, God shows his loving kindness and goodness to the undeserving.
Likewise today you can count on God’s mercy, His mercies never end and they are new every morning even today. Just cry out for mercy "Jesus have mercy on me"
Ignore every other voice
Choose to ignore every voice silencing you. Bartimaeus ignored the harsh loud voices of the multitude rebuking him. As we start to pray and call on God you will hear similar loud voices.
You have tried before, Do you know how bad is your situation is? You do not deserve it, you are not very righteous. Jesus is able but not now, you are not ready.
Even voices of what others have often said about your situation.. miaka yako imeenda sana hakuna hope (Your age is very advanced, there is no hope). Even doctor's voice... hii mahali imefika hakuna hope (where this has reached, there is no hope).
Today ignore all these voices, forget all the prayers you have ever prayed before.
Keep praying, keep calling asking for His mercies.
Listen to Him respond to Him
Bartimaeus chose to listen and respond to Jesus alone.
Just listen and hear his voice only. He is asking.
What can I do for you? It is not what you can do but what he can do for you.
It has nothing to do with your ability but God’s ability. Yours is just to answer and receive. Answer affirmatively, confidently, categorically and specifically.
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