You’re Not Helpless

In the story of Bartimaeus, the blind man, Jesus says something really strange. He says, “Go your way; you faith has saved you.” Because he says something like it so often, it’s easy to pass over. But it’s strange nonetheless, isn’t it? 

Bartimaeus was blind. He didn’t want to be blind but he was blind nonetheless. If there was something he could have done to change the reality of being blind, he would have done it. But, on his own, without Jesus, there was nothing he could do. He had to settle for his state in life. 

Then Jesus comes his way. He recognizes Jesus as the one person on earth who could restore his sight, so he fights his way to Jesus. He ignores everyone telling him to be quiet, he pushes the envelope, and it pays off. He gets in front of Jesus and Jesus asks him, “what do you want ME to do for you?” And his answer is obvious, “I want to see.” And then he is healed. He “immediately” receives his sight. 

Instead of Jesus saying, “You’re welcome”, he says “Your” as in Bartimaeus, “Your faith has saved you.” Maybe it’s just me, but I think that’s a strange way to respond. To me, it’s obviously Jesus who saved him. Not Bartimaeus, no matter how strong his faith is. So, what’s going on here?

Well, everything that Jesus did was an act of love for you and me. Jesus didn’t need to call attention or receive praise for healing Bartimaeus. That wasn’t his focus. His focus was making clear the essential role free will plays in God’s plan for the salvation of each person. By saying, “your faith has saved you,” Jesus is intentionally drawing attention to the role I play, the role you play, in collaborating with him. When it comes to my own healing, my own personal growth, my own decision making, Jesus wants me to remember that I have a role to play. I’m not helpless, I’m not without freedom, and I’m not without a choice. Even in dire situations, I have the choice to collaborate with Jesus in choosing an attitude toward life and toward my circumstances capable of making the most of whatever is in front of me. 

When Jesus says, “Your faith has saved you,” it isn’t some false show of humility or anything of the sort. It’s a profound reminder and an important teaching. You have a role to play and the only question is, are you playing it?

God bless you and remember you were made to do hard things.