“Focused Fire”

Jesus approached Bartimeaus after dealing with four distinctly discouraging groups. He met first with those seeking to tempt Him. They wanted to trap him with questions that were irrelevant. He then dealt with those that were his friends but misunderstood the essence of His ministry. They could not separate between their picture of Christ’s grandeur and the reality of his calling. They stopped little children from coming to Him. He then met with one whose motive was not right, he wanted to buy his salvation with good works and good words. Finally he met with Bartimeaus. What was unique with Bartimeaus?

His was a life Stripped: He sat by the wall of Jericho. Jericho means fragrance. Can you imagine Bartimeaus’ experience of Spring? Can you imagine the riot of beautiful fragrance all around the man? Can you imagine the feeling of desolation – He knew that it was there but he could NT access it.

His was a Life Covered by Meaningless Layers: Can you see Bartimeaus casting off his gown when the Lord called him? What was he doing with those layers before? Does he seek significance in the layers? We will not know what the layers were or what they represented for Bartimeaus. All we know is this, that “he cast them off.”

His was a Heart fired about a focused Desire: When the Lord asked Bartimeaus about what he wanted, there was no ifs buts or wherefores, there was one clear statement of desire: that I might receive my sight. Such a focus must have fired the Lord then, such a focus will definitely energize his spirit today.

In our world that tries the Lord and in a global church that often confuse the core of His Holy calling with our own picture of grandeur; God loves the poor in the spirit, those stripped of meaningless cover, and those who are willing to cast off the layers. God is happy with his people who have a focused desire about the possibilities of vision with the King.

WRITTEN FOT VICTORY COURT RCCG BELLEVUE ON MARCH 8TH 2008