​Bartimaeus’ faith was affected by his physical challenges. He was blind and his faith was blinded. He did not have blind faith, but rather blinded faith. Blinded faith comes from need, from desperation, from pain and struggle and from injury … and Bartimaeus was both injured and desperate. His blinded faith frantically led Bartimaeus to find what Jesus had to give. Like Bartimaeus, we have obstacles to face, but Jesus gives healing and mercy by which we can overcome even our blindness and fear. youtu.be/ZS01oHbfOf4

​Jesus tells his disciples in this passage that he is giving his life as a ransom for many. But how many of us want nothing to do with being ransomed? James and John ask Jesus to “do whatever they ask of him.” Jesus uses their asking for places of honor in the kingdom as an opportunity to talk about true discipleship, which is seen not in positions of glory, but in places of service. Indeed, for followers of Christ, it is a “race to the bottom” — not seeking to be recognized so much as to be in service for God. We need to be good servants. Listen to today’s message to learn how to be a good servant. youtu.be/y3q1UdU8jYU

​The fact that God sees and knows everything about us can be a source of shame and fear. But God intends his omniscience to be a channel of his love, forgiveness and grace. youtu.be/SO9FxjuoC9c