Merry Christmas & a blessed New Year 2008

Dear Friends,

Mark 10, verses 46 to 52 describe about "Bartimaeus Receives his Sight".If we see this passage very closely, we could able to find few things here. This blind man was sitting by the road which means that he must have been very tired of sitting there for a long time, may be he was thirsty in the hot sun or he might have struggled lot to get enough feedings of the day. This man knew that great multitude was coming on that way. It is common that if it is lot of people, surely this blind man will get enough for that day. But this man found that it was Jesus in the crowd, hence he started to cry out and say " Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me". All his tiredness and frustration have gone immediately and he was so determined to call Jesus for mercy. He forgot his own job of asking money.

We need to see 3 things here. This blind man discerned that who Jesus was? Secondly he knew that Jesus is merciful. Thirdly, he found that Jesus is the God for all people who have faith on HIM.In this Christmas season, I like to point few things in our Christian life. Like this blind man, we are all tired of leading this year 2007 with disappointments, frustrations, failures, hatreds etc. But lets be cautious that Jesus is in our midst at this time. So lets call Him loudly, Jesus, Son of David, Have mercy on me, meaning that we need Him very badly in our life boat. Because, in psalm 69:32 says "You who seek God, let your heart revive." Let us revive our hearts by calling Jesus in our lives once again in this year-end.

Secondly, if we see verse 48 in Mark, chapter 10, we found that when many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all more. This shows a great lesson for us. When we face difficulties or find some obstacles in our ministry, or fell sick etc, our prayer life diminishes gradually. We find to excuse ourselves with the surroundings. But this blind man was so determined to get and grasp Jesus attention in that crowd. Have you ever tried to get Jesus attention in your failures?

Thirdly, if we see verse 52, And Jesus said to him, "Go your way, your faith has made you well." And immediately he regained his sight and began following HIM on the road. I would like to point out this man's faith on this issue. His faith made him well. How is our Christine faith in our life? If we cry for our problems to Jesus, and if Jesus says same thing to you and me, will our faith heal us???? This is a big question mark in our life. We always ask God to take away our problems leaving nothing. What is our part in this? Like this blind man, are you having great faith in Jesus for your particular problems or sickness? Shall we all ask God to revive our hearts and minds to enlarge our faith towards Him in this Christmas season?
Lets seek God to revive us once again to inherit His protection, guidance and blessings in the coming year 2008.

Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year 2008.