Ready and Willing to Follow

Daily Scripture Threshing for Today, Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Today's Text: Luke 18:35-43

Key Verse: Luke 18:43 (NIV): "And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God."

All of us are witnesses to the fact of how this blind man's cry has echoed through the ages to prove the power of faith and persistence in prayer. As we transition from a thirty days old month of April to May, God is stirring our hearts to reflect on the story of the blind Bartimaeus, the street prayer warrior who stopped Jesus's hasty procession through his loud soulful cry. God wants us to explore the lessons we can glean from his encounter with Jesus.

The New Testament story is incomplete if you leave the story of this prayerful Blind Bartimaeus out. He was an ordinary blind beggar who wrote his own name in history and on the sand of time for calling out to "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!" No one calls on the name of the Lord that is not saved. You can't call that name in vain. He was healed of his blindness, begging, and the roadside life in Jericho. We can also learn from his recognition of Jesus as the "Son of David," a messianic title that perhaps many who have eyes are blinded to. We can learn from the energy and passion with which he called out for mercy.

Bartimaeus also teaches us the gratefulness and discipleship. Many have been so blessed and helped today who have returned to their own or old ways; but not this healed blind. After receiving his sight, Bartimaeus immediately follows Jesus. Theologically, Bartimaeus was not just calling out to Jesus for healing and compassion as many do today, but he understood that He is the Messiah. We too can trust in Jesus' power to touch our lives and bring transformation. We can be persistent in prayer, trusting God to hear and respond to our cries. And, indeed, Jesus responds, heals and restores. We can rely on His power to address our deepest needs and bring us into His light; but are we also ready and willing, like Bartimaeus, to follow Him and give Him glory?!

Action Steps: Like the blind man, let's call and cry out to Jesus. Let's trust in His compassion and power to heal and restore. Don't let discouragement silence your trust in His goodness and love. Jesus has the power to bring transformation and healing to every area of your life. Believe Him. Follow Him. Glorify Him.

Quote for the Day: "Any man who persistently cries to the Lord finds healing. Faith-filled prayers unlock Jesus' power to transform lives." (Simon Olatunji #quotablequote)

Let Us Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you because Jesus always answers when we cry to Him. Please help me to cry out to Jesus with faith and persistence, trusting in His power to heal and restore. Give me the courage to seek Jesus, even in the face of adversity, and to trust in His goodness and love — in Jesus's most glorious name. Amen.

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Thank you for being part of this journey. For additional reading on today's meditation, read: Matthew 9:27-31, Matthew 15:31, and Matthew 10:52.

With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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