I have never minded the darkness. I will walk through my house in the night without any problem. Even though the dark of the night makes it difficult to see, it is never pitch black, plus I know my house. I will walk through without a light. However, being out in an unfamiliar place in the pitch black is a different story. My comfort level changes, and I wish for some light. And I would definitely not wish to experience on-going darkness. Is this how it feels for someone who is blind – on-going darkness? What would it be like to not see light?

Mark shares the story of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar in Mark 10:46-52. Bartimaeus heard Jesus coming his way, so he began to cry out for Jesus to have mercy on him. In calling out to Jesus, Bartimaeus called Him “Son of David”, a messianic title that showed an expression of his faith in the One he knew could help him. Jesus heard his cries and had Bartimaeus come to Him. He tosses aside his cloak, a priceless outer garment, and ran to Jesus. Nothing would hinder him in getting to Jesus. Though the need was obvious, Jesus asked him how He could help. Jesus wanted to give Bartimaeus an opportunity to admit his need. Bartimaeus asked for his sight to be recovered. In Jesus’ response of “Go your way; your faith has made you well,” Bartimaeus immediately had his sight restored! Even before he asked, he knew that Jesus could do this for him. However, not only did he receive physical healing, but Bartimaeus was also brought out of spiritual darkness by his faith in Jesus. He had unquestionable faith in Jesus. It wasn’t what he knew about Jesus or what he had done for Jesus that gave him his sight, it was his simple faith in Jesus.

Saul, a young rabbi from Tarsus, experienced a different kind of blindness. He zealously wanted to destroy all Christians for their way of worshipping God. Though Saul was a religious teacher, he was spiritually blind. On the road to Damascus, Jesus opened his eyes by causing physical blindness. Jesus had plans for Saul to help others see their own need for Him. Saul’s eyes were opened physically as well as spiritually when his sight was restored, and the Holy Spirit filled him. Now known as Paul, Luke shares God’s plan for him in Acts 26:18. God was sending Paul “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Paul was greatly used by God to lead others to Him. He spent time with God, he came to know God and grew in his faith, so he could show people how they could have this same relationship with God, one that we can have as well. Physical blindness in both men helped them to see their spiritual blindness and their greatest need for a Savior, Jesus Christ.

Before knowing the Lord as our Savior, we are just as blind. We journey through life in darkness, but when Jesus enters our life through His saving grace, the Holy Spirit dwells in us. At salvation the veil of unbelief is lifted off our eyes, and the spiritual blindness is gone. Simple faith in Jesus’ cleansing work removes the darkness in our souls caused by sin. Light bursts forth as the Holy Spirit begins His work. Then when we spend time with the Lord, truly give our heart, mind, and spirit to Him, we just thirst for more of Him. Faith grows.

Asaph, a director of music during the time of David captures this in Psalm 73:23-28. “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.”

Aren’t we to do the same for Jesus as the job He sent Paul to do? Aren’t we to have that same faith in Him as Bartimaeus? So many around us are walking in spiritual darkness. Their eyes are blinded to the most important need – to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. God wants each of us to help others see Him. Our lives need to reflect the light of the Holy Spirit in our lives. If they know the Lord, God wants us to encourage them in their walk with Him.

I picture setting up dominos in a row. If they are set up correctly, the first one is nudged, causing the rest of the line to fall until the whole row is down. Think of a more intricate pattern of dominos falling, where one domino is nudged causing two rows to fall at the same time. As I show God to others, they will in turn show God to others, and the process will continue just like the dominos.

It is good for me to be near God, so I can tell others of His works, so that whether they are saved or not, they will see Him and thirst for more of Him. Bartimaeus’ faith restored his sight but also brought life to his heart and he became a follower of Jesus. Paul, brought out of his own spiritual darkness, helped people turn from darkness to light as he showed them Jesus. We also can be used by God to help others see that their eyes need to be opened to Him. Simple faith in Jesus brings light to the deepest darkness. Let your light shine.

In His Love,

Susan