🐂 Mark – Chapters 9 and 10

🙏 Heavenly Father, we draw near to You as You reveal to us the beauty and majesty of Your Kingdom.  We thank You for Your Spirit that You’ve given to us to help understand and interpret Your Word. You speak plainly to us; let us sit at Your feet and wonder anew at what You are showing us in these two chapters of Mark’s Gospel.  Reveal Yourself, reveal our hearts, and reveal our Savior.  Speak now Lord, Jesus, Your servants are listening.  Amen.

9 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

Points to Ponder: What an odd chapter/section break to see here.  But these ‘breaks’ were added over a thousand years after the Gospels were written for our convenience.  We ended the last section with Jesus’ forthright description of what it costs us to follow Him and, in this chapter, we start with one sentence before Jesus is transfigured in front of His closest three disciples.  He was talking to all His followers before, now He tells them that ‘some’ will not taste death before they see that the kingdom comes with power.  (It’s not rocket science to connect that one sentence with the three who are in His presence in the next story.)

The Transfiguration

² After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. ³ His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. ⁴ And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

⁵ Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁶ (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

⁷ Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

⁸ Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. ¹⁰ They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.

¹¹ And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

¹² Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? ¹³ But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”

Points to Ponder: So much here – beginning with ‘The Transfiguration’. Clearly a word with a religious connotation. The dictionary defines the term as a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state.  Our natural vocabulary will fall short, but Mark tries by defining Jesus’ garments as ‘dazzling white’, symbolic of purity and holiness.   Moses and Elijah make an appearance talking with Jesus – representing the Law and the Prophets, all the treasures of the Jewish nation in one spot and Peter can only recognize that what is going on is good and maybe they could all just stay right there in a few tents! 😁 I get that.

BUT GOD… He puts Peter and us straight with the command that we should listen to Jesus, the Son whom He loves – even if we don’t understand. The law and the prophets had their place in history, but they were all pointing forward in time to when Jesus would be revealed – Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.  All that the Law and the Prophets taught were misunderstood, ignored, or misapplied throughout history.  But they were still God’s Word; they were still true and all misunderstandings and misapplications are the result of human error and human pride.   

We are blessed to live in the time between Jesus’ earthly ministry and His return. We have the full Bible to help us. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Start at the Gospels to look back and interpret the Old Testament.  Start at the Gospels and see how they are further clarified in the Epistles.  Then, in Revelation, this whole story, and our history, is brought to a glorious conclusion!

Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit

¹⁴ When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. ¹⁵ As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

¹⁶ “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.

¹⁷ A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. ¹⁸ Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

¹⁹ “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

²⁰ So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

²¹ Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. ²² “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

²³ “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

²⁴ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

²⁵ When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

²⁶ The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” ²⁷ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

²⁸ After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

²⁹ He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

Points to Ponder: At first we see the disciples,  a large crowd, and religious leaders arguing and in chaos. 😞 We find out that the disciples were unable to heal a demon-possessed boy and Jesus remarks on their unbelief. This reminds us of when Jesus was unable to do miracles in his own hometown because of their lack of faith. (Mark 6:5-6)

Jesus calls for the boy and asks the father a question.  Jesus doesn’t ask because He doesn’t know, He asks so that everyone else may know, including us, then when the father asks if Jesus can… but Jesus flips the script back and focuses on the belief of the father.  If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes.  And the man responds with the most honest words I’ve ever heard… I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!

And this, my Christian friends, is why we separate ourselves from the village and gather regularly with other Christian believers!!! When you can answer like this, out loud, publicly and earnestly.  Words that seem to contradict, words that sound like a paradox or a riddle – but words that express a spiritual reality  – you’ve found the environment where humble believers can enter into prayer.  Prayer has nothing to do with memorizing the right words.  Prayer is the humble submission of His servants interceding for the benefit of others.  Remember Jesus didn’t feed the 5000, His disciples did. And this man entered the suffering of His son and asked Jesus to take pity on us and help us.

There is nothing too hard for Jesus… but more incredibly, Jesus tell us that everything is possible for one who believes.  This is astounding!  I am teetering on the brink of faithfulness and fearfulness as this sentence speaks to me. I am almost afraid to understand what He is clearly telling us.  Take your belief and your unbelief, intercede for others who are suffering, and pray for the healing and restoration of them. As our prayers are answered, our belief grows and our unbelief starts to disappear… we must let that unbelief go in order to grow.

Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time

³⁰ They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, ³¹ because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” ³² But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.

³³ They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” ³⁴ But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

³⁵ Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

³⁶ He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, ³⁷ “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Points to Ponder: Jesus gives His disciples some quality time.  Just Him and them, no crowds, just His undivided attention. He speaks about upcoming events pretty clearly, but they don’t or won’t get it.  They shift their focus to themselves and each other and fight over who is greater.  (Pride, jealousy, competitiveness, selfishness… none of these postures are new to our culture and our time.)

Maybe their attempt to understand the meaning of Jesus’ death becomes, in their minds, a search for a new leader… and they fight over the position.  When Jesus asks them the question, what are you arguing about?  again, not because He doesn’t know, but because the details need to be reviewed for all; they are quiet. It must have been convicting to remember that while their Lord was walking with them, somehow their minds had drifted to elevating themselves. 

They were still missing the point of humble service, for the benefit of others, in this new Kingdom. 

Jesus reminds them that in His Kingdom, things are different.  Elevation is for those that serve others.  Humility as CS Lewis writes, is not displayed in those that think less of themselves… but in those that think about themselves less.

No one enters the Kingdom except as like a child.  We must be born-again by the spirit.  We must face our sin and defilement – repent and believe.  No one achieves righteousness on their own.  We all start at the same place – at the foot of the cross, when we realize our entrance to the Kingdom was granted when Jesus died for OUR personal sins.

When you enter that kingdom and see another newborn, spiritual child, welcome them. If Jesus wiped away their sin and remembers them no more, then neither should we. 

Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us

³⁸ “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”

³⁹ “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, ⁴⁰ for whoever is not against us is for us. ⁴¹ Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

Points to Ponder: From Genesis 3:15 on, there are only two divisions of people in this world: the offspring of Satan and the offspring of the woman.  When the disciples saw a stranger with the faith to drive out demons in the name of Jesus, they responded poorly.  Maybe they thought they were honoring their teacher, Jesus.  But their actions were narrowly focused and short-sighted. 

Jesus corrects them.  People who do miracles in the name of Jesus are part of the believing family.  And people who support the needs of Jesus’ followers, in His name, will not lose their reward.

Reward?  What does this mean?  John 10:10 probably has the best summary of what the difference is between living life under Satan’s rule vs. a life submitted to Jesus.  If there is only those two divisions, those two kingdoms – one ruled by the seed of the serpent or the one ruled by the seed of the woman, i.e., Jesus… then the reward of moving to the Kingdom under the authority of Jesus, is life!

Causing to Stumble

⁴² “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. ⁴³ If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. ^[44]  45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. ^[46] 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, ⁴⁸ where

“‘the worms that eat them do not die,
    and the fire is not quenched.’

⁴⁹ Everyone will be salted with fire.

⁵⁰ “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

Points to Ponder: Teachers and preacher and Christian leaders everywhere, beware!  Jesus died for these newly reborn Spiritual children – He warns all of us to be careful around them. Do not cause other believers to stumble.  For all of us – check ourselves before we too may stumble. If our hands grab for something they shouldn’t… if our feet carry us to places we shouldn’t be… if our eyes linger on sights that shouldn’t attract our attention… cut them off! 

Pretty serious warnings about temptations and the dangers of Satan’s kingdom preventing us from entering the Kingdom of God.  Jesus quotes from Isaiah 66:24, again reminding us that the words of the prophets were true.

Everyone will be salted with fire.  Salt and fire – like iron sharpening iron… we do not become more like Jesus until we lose the parts of ourselves that we take pride in.  If we don’t willingly lay our lives down and place our trust in His loving hands, we experience His discipline and His loving wounds that burn.  He is not being mean, He is making you holy!  Remember the lesson on defilement?  If you still think you have no need to repent, then be prepared to feel the burn! 

I would rather have been burned and survived the healing process one or more times in this life until I learned to trust Him and call Him the Lord of my life, than to continue to dismiss His warnings then take my last dying breath here and find myself burning forever in eternity. 

It sounds harsh and offensive.  But sometimes, truth hurts. It’s meant to. Truth is the only hurt that can bring healing.

Divorce

10 Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.

² Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

³ “What did Moses command you?” he replied.

⁴ They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”

⁵ “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. ⁶ “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ⁷ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, ⁸ and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. ⁹ Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

¹⁰ When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. ¹¹ He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. ¹² And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

Points to Ponder: Well, this teaching might separate people of modern Western culture more than anything else. First notice, it is the religious leaders that question Jesus of the lawfulness of a man divorcing his wife.  (And all the ladies freak out… over the wrong reason… asking, why can’t we divorce our husbands?  That law is misogynistic!!!)  Everybody calm down and listen to Jesus who doesn’t focus on the man/woman role in the question, but on the lawfulness of the topic of divorce. (Mark 9:7)

He asks the religious leaders, what Moses COMMANDED them. And they accurately respond that Moses PERMITTED them.  And Jesus goes back to the defiled condition of our hearts as the reason for Moses to write this permission into the law.

But then Jesus reminds them, AND THE CROWDS OF PEOPLE THAT CAME TO HIM, about the creation ordinance of marriage.  He pulls scripture from the first two chapters of Genesis, before the fall, to remind them that God’s Very Good created world, included humans made male and female (Genesis 1:27) and they leave their parents to become united to each other to become one. (Genesis 2:24)  This is such strong language of being united that the concept of divorce is so offensive – it is the dividing and separating of a single flesh-entity.  There is no escaping the unspoken harmful, hurtful, and destructive consequences that Jesus is teaching here. 

Later, among His own disciples, Jesus tells them that once-married, always married – divorce doesn’t change that.  Entering into another marriage, while still married, is adultery.

Today, it is offensive to tell people that we were born male or female.  It is offensive to tell people that marriage is ordained by God to be between one man and one woman only. It is offensive to tell people that they are considered married until their spouse is deceased.

But let us remember also, that we don’t tell people OUR rules for God’s kingdom, He does.  We just make sure we don’t cause any of His children to stumble. We tell others about the good news of the gospel and we can always teach the truth quietly, with our actions and behaviors.

The Little Children and Jesus

¹³ People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” ¹⁶ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Points to Ponder: No greater a picture to puncture your pride than this one.  Disciples rebuking people for bringing their children around Jesus and Jesus’ rebuking those ‘self-righteous’ disciples.  How easy it is to forget that we all are born-again to get into His kingdom.  None of us were worthy; none of us can make ourselves worthy.  We have nothing to bring to Him but our submission to His rule.  We must repent of our old ways and believe in His authority then enter as little children in order for Him to embrace us and bless us with new life.  As little children we come to learn from our Master.

The Rich and the Kingdom of God

¹⁷ As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

¹⁸ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

²⁰ “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

²¹ Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

²² At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

²³ Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

²⁴ The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

²⁶ The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

²⁸ Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”

²⁹ “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel ³⁰ will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. ³¹ But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Points to Ponder: The man starts so well, appearing so humble, falling to his knees and asking the good teacher what he must do.  Wrong!  Jesus is not just a good teacher; He is God.  Jesus does the Kingdom puzzle-speak here – only God is good and you know His commandments.  Jesus only mentions the last set of commandments that address how we are to treat one another. He leaves out the first four commandments about how we recognize and honor God’s holiness.

Jesus loved this man but recognized his weakness – he was trying to be ‘good’ on his own and earn his place in the kingdom.  This mindset fails to recognize God’s love and God’s grace to save and restore humanity. This man failed to trust God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness through history to save men through Jesus.

In this case, scripture points out the one thing that was important to this man in this world – the one thing that Jesus could point to and say… drop it, trust me and follow me to the treasures in my kingdom.  In this case, it was wealth.  Wealth can be a source of security for many people and if asked to give it away to follow Jesus, many would have difficulty.  For others, it could be family… career… sexuality… political affiliation… nationality… pleasure… social justice causes… hobbies…   Only you and God can identify what it is that you truly put first in your life.  (If you think you know, confirm with your checkbook and your calendar…  where you spend your limited time and money usually reveals your priorities.)

Jesus is to be our priority and when you find what you are prioritizing over Him, you must take it to Him, repent, and hand it over. He promised to multiply your sacrifice a hundred times over!  Will you trust Him? 

Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time

³² They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. ³³ “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, ³⁴ who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”

Points to Ponder: The disciples are astonished at this point.  Jesus has just told them that they will be receive a hundred times what they’ve given up to follow Him. And then He reminds them, in case they’ve forgotten, they’re heading to Jerusalem where He’s going to be killed.   

How difficult it must have been for the disciples to walk with Jesus during His earthly ministry and hear the puzzling words of the eternal kingdom.  Their minds being stretched out to embrace these Kingdom realities, only to have them snap back to present-day earthly contexts.  (You know they are wrestling with these thoughts… Somehow, following Him, I’ll receive a hundred times what I’ve given up and I’m walking towards Jerusalem where He’s telling us He’ll die.  🤔)

The Request of James and John

³⁵ Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

³⁶ “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

³⁷ They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

³⁸ “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

³⁹ “We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, ⁴⁰ but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

⁴¹ When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. ⁴² Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Points to Ponder: James and John, two of the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples, call Jesus ‘teacher’ here.  They have already been witness to His transfiguration – they know there is more to Him but they show here that they cannot process what He is talking about regarding His upcoming death.  They just want to be prominent in His glory.

Jesus corrects them by tying His death to the concept of baptism – a core tenet of the Christian faith. The Biblical authors have, since Genesis, talked about God separating chaos to establish a space for life to flourish… often using water to represent the chaos. (The creation narrative… the flood… parting the Red Sea in Exodus… parting the Jordan for Joshua to lead the people to the promise land… Elijah… Elisha…)  Jesus’ own baptism by John the Baptist brought something new – Jesus’ established authority to usher in the new Kingdom.

The sons of Zebedee are still thinking earthly.  Jesus knows that when the Spirit fills them, they will remember and understand the Words He gives them now.  They will remember that Jesus enters His glory after being crucified on a cross with two thieves – one on His right and one on His left.  They may reflect on the fact that only one thief repented of his sins and asked Jesus to remember Him. Only one thief was promised paradise. They may have finally understood after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, what the cost was that Jesus was willing to pay for our redemption – God came to earth, as a lowly man, to give back His life as a ransom for ours.

Our only response is to be ‘baptized’ as well.  To put to death our old sinful life and rise again as new creations.  We no longer serve ourselves but we serve Him, by serving others.

Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

⁴⁶ Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. ⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁸ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁹ Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” ⁵⁰ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

⁵¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

⁵² “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Points to Ponder: A great story to end this chapter – where a blind man, ‘sees’ Jesus as both God and man.   Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus as ‘Son of David’ – the Old Testament reference to a messiah whose kingdom has no end (2 Samuel 7:12-13).  He is persistent with this messianic title and Jesus stops to meet Him.

I love this so much. 

Notice in the last story, James and John, seem to take their familiar relationship with Jesus for granted. As if their closeness allowed them to make demands on Him. Bartimaeus does not.  He acknowledges who Jesus is, as his savior, and asks for His mercy. 

In both of these stories, Jesus responds with the same question, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’

Only one of them had demonstrated faith in who Jesus is and that one saw his request fulfilled. 😁

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Summary: Yes, Jesus is the friend of sinners.  But He is also our Messianic Savior. He is God and He will return to rule over a renewed creation for all eternity.  We cannot ever assume that His love for us will wink at our sinful lives.  He is holy and there is no room for sin in the presence of His glory. We all must accept our broken sinful conditions as fatal, terminal conditions.  There is only one cure and that cure is Jesus – when we accept that truth, we ask to be baptized into new life.  We rise from that baptism as little children, humbly learning how to walk and talk again.

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🙏 Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word. We thank You for Your Son, Jesus. And like Bartimaeus, we ask for Your mercy because we want to see! Let us always remember that You are God and we are not. Let us always have pure hearts, ready to receive your forgiveness and grace so that we can overflow with Your blessings to give to others that You put around us. We thank You, Lord, that we can love You because You first loved us. (Psalm 143:8) Amen.