The blind man could have said, ‘I want wealth; I want servants; I want an honourable name.’ But he did not mention any of those things. He mentioned only one thing: ‘Lord, that I might receive my sight.’ People come to see the pastor, and they say, ‘I want prayer for exams on Monday.’ No, what we need to ask the Lord for is salvation, deliverance from the guilt of our sin, reconciliation with God. At this time, Christ was on earth and he was healing many, and many came to him for restoration of speech, hearing, sight. But even then, he wanted them to see that their greatest need was for spiritual healing. When the ten lepers came to be healed, nine of them sent away without returning glory to God. Only one had faith and came back and gave thanks, and Jesus told him, ‘Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole’ (Luke 17:19). His soul was healed also. Christ will ask you, ‘What will you that I should do for you?’ Don’t think about fame or fortune. Lord just save me. Lord, that I may receive my spiritual sight. Lord that I may see spiritual things. That is what you must ask for.
You may not think you have much sin, but we are sinners by nature. ‘Lord, I have sinned against thee and others; I have been proud; I have been a liar; I have been unclean.’ We cannot tell him all our sins; it would take too long. We deserve the condemnation of God. Don’t claim you have goodness – you do not have nearly enough. Tell him what you need him to do for you. The restoration of his sight was key to Bartimaeus, but it was not all he was asking for. Believe that he has the power to answer you, and that he is willing. So much hinges on whether we are forgiven. Tell him you want new life and a clean character. Tell him that you believe that he has suffered and died for sinners; he has paid the price for sin, and promised that all who come sincerely to him for forgiveness will be received no matter what they have done. Conversion is not a lifelong endeavour; it is a crisis experience. We are immediately changed by the Lord, and we are equipped for his service.