"Lord, I Believe – A Reflection on Luke 18:38-43"

The first time I heard the story of Bartimaeus in Luke 18:38-43, it was in a prayer group. The person preaching spoke with such an anointing that the scripture seemed to leap off the page and into my heart. Something stirred within me as I listened to the story of this blind man, crying out for Jesus, the Son of David, to have mercy on him. It’s a powerful reminder that no one is too far from God’s reach, no plea too small for His ear.

Last year, after my cancer diagnosis, this scripture returned to me in a moment I will never forget. There I was, feeling weak and scared, asking Jesus to have mercy on me. Just like Bartimaeus, I knew in my soul that only He could bring me through this. Only He could heal me.

Bartimaeus didn't hold back in his cries for help. Even when people around him told him to be quiet, he didn’t give up. He called out to Jesus again and again, louder and louder. He didn’t let anything stop him because he believed. He had faith that Jesus could change his life. And Jesus, hearing his cries, stopped, listened, and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Imagine that! Jesus, the Creator of all things, asking a simple man, “What do you want?” And Bartimaeus, with unwavering faith, responded, “Master, I want to see again.” Jesus then healed him, not because he earned it, but because he believed. Jesus told him, "Your faith has healed you." How incredible it must have felt to hear those words, knowing that his faith alone moved Jesus to heal him.

As I reflect on Bartimaeus’ story, I ask myself, “Do I have that kind of faith?” When I prayed for healing from cancer, was I clinging to my faith with the same tenacity? So many times, when our prayers seem unanswered, it’s easy to feel discouraged and think maybe we’re not worthy, or maybe God doesn’t hear us. But Jesus shows us through Bartimaeus’ story that faith moves Him. It doesn't have to be huge faith; in Matthew 17:20, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move.”

We don’t need a mountain of faith; we need a mustard seed. And in those moments when I felt weak and wanted to give up, I held onto the smallest sliver of belief. I continued praying, not because I was sure of the outcome, but because I knew who was listening.

So, if you’re struggling today, if your prayers seem to fall on silent ground, remember Bartimaeus. Remember how he refused to give up, even when others tried to silence him. Like Bartimaeus, keep calling out to Jesus, and believe He hears you, even if the answer seems delayed. He is listening, and in His perfect time, He will respond.

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us. We bring before You the brokenness, the pain, and the doubts that weigh on our hearts. We ask, like Bartimaeus, that You restore our sight, that You renew our faith. Lord, give us the courage to keep calling out to You, even when we feel discouraged, even when the road seems too hard. Help us hold onto the promise that all we need is faith the size of a mustard seed, and You will move mountains. Thank You, Jesus, for hearing our cries, for seeing us in our need, and for loving us so faithfully. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

May this reflection encourage you to cling to your faith, knowing that our Lord sees you and hears you. He is with you in every cry and every whisper, just as He was with Bartimaeus.

Blessings,

Monica