“And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me” (Mark 10:47).
TEXT — Mark 10:46-52
Message
Someone said, “Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.” This saying is true in the case of the blind man in today’s passage.
Blind Bartimaeus was physically challenged and depended on others for a living. As he sat by the way begging in the city of Jericho, he heard the news of Jesus and His miracles. When, Jesus came to the town, Bartimaeus heard that He passed by. It was the opportunity the blind man had been waiting for. He cried out to Jesus for mercy and he was healed.
Learn from this story to be expectant and prepare before the opportunity comes so that you can seize it promptly. The blind man was fully prepared for his day of opportunity to encounter Jesus. Though physically blind, he already had insight into Jesus’ person as Messiah and how he would approach and respond to Him whenever the opportunity came. Meanwhile, many in the crowd following Jesus were blind to His identity.
Also, be aware that the place of opportunity is equally the place of opposition. The crowd rebuked Bartimaeus and tried to hush him, but he cried out more until Jesus called for him. He would not allow the hostile crowd nor his garment to hinder him from getting to Jesus in time. He cast it aside. Such are the preparations and persistence in faith needed to obtain spectacular blessings from the Lord.
You can be saved, sanctified, Spirit-filled and endued with the gifts of the Spirit if you prepare and persevere until you receive. Too many people are not fully prepared to accept what they lack from God. Others give up too soon at the slightest obstacle. They come to meetings where the power of God is present to bless, but they make no specific requests or are easily distracted. However, if you are focused, specific in your request-and unrelenting like Bartimaeus, you will attract the Lord’s mercy and get the miracle you need.
Thought for the day
Your day of opportunity is your day of miracle. Don’t miss it!
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
Thank you