You have to ask in order to see

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed them. Just outside the city sat a blind man by the name of Bartimaeus. When he heard the crowd, he asked what it was all about and learned that Jesus was passing by on his way to Jerusalem. There was no time to lose, so Bartimaeus shouted at the top of his voice, "Jesus, son of David, take pity on me!" Many in the crowd kept telling him to be quiet, but that made him shout all the louder. When Jesus realized what was happening, he stopped and asked that the blind man be brought to him. So, somewhat reluctantly, they brought Bartimaeus to Jesus who asked him what seems like an unnecessary question, "What would you like me to do for you?" The answer came back, “Master, I want to see again." Jesus said, "You can go now, your faith has given you sight." Suddenly Bartimaeus could see! Filled with joy, he enthusiastically joined the crowd that, having seen the miracle with their own eyes, raised their voices in praise to God.
       This narrative is only four or five verses long, yet it provides some very important insights into Jesus and the way he carried out his ministry. Although he was surrounded by a crowd of people, he not only heard the cry for help, but he stopped. Remember, this was a final trip to Jerusalem and he would take on himself the sins of the world, yet at the cry of a single blind beggar, he stopped. This provides us with a two step model for living as Jesus did: 1) he hears, 2) he stops. One would suppose that in our technological culture, designed in part to save us time, we would be able to hear and stop at every cry for help. Is that true?
      I can see Bartimaeus being guided by others to where Jesus stood waiting. What he needed is so obvious that we wonder why Jesus bothered to ask. I think Jesus simply wanted him to acknowledge his need. This request is paralleled with our coming to Christ, acknowledging our spiritual need and being “healed." He wants us to admit our lost condition, not to shame us but to help us acknowledge that in the realm of the spirit we are woefully blind. It is wonderful when a "blind man" (read unable to see his own sin and need of a Savior) comes to Christ and confesses both his need and his longing for spiritual sight. Every born-again Christian is one with that blind beggar outside of Jericho as we ask for help and suddenly can see again.
       One other point is worth comment and that is Jesus’ next remark, “Your faith has given you sight." Obviously the power to restore his sight was not something Bartimaeus had, so why does Jesus say it was “his faith,” that is, the faith of Bartimaeus, that did it? The answer, of course, is that Bartimaeus’ faith was not some powerful attribute he possessed, but a strong conviction that Jesus could do what he said he could. It was his faith that allowed Jesus to act on his behalf. And it is the same with us today. Our faith is our confidence that God is able to restore us to what he originally intended us to be. It is when we recognize our need and ask God to help us see, that our spiritual eyes are opened. He does it, we allow him. Great teamwork.