The miracles of Jesus - Classical Christian Literature by Athleo.net

364 BLIND BARTIM/EUS
knowing that Jesus had no money to give, told the man
to hold his tongue. He cried out all the more.
Then the Lord stood still, commanded them to bring
" What
"
wilt thou
the man near, and asked him :
It was not money he wanted, but something almost
as dear as life—something that would make life
worth living—open eyes, light, sight, a vision of
God's world, sunlight sky, and faces of men. He
wanted that, and nothing else at present ; everything
was included in that ;
it would be like heaven itself.
There were tears of agonising entreaty on his face
and in his voice, as he answered "
: Lord, that I
might receive my sight." And Jesus could never say
no to such impassioned prayers as this. In a
moment faith had its reward. The man's long night
was changed as by a lightning flash into noon day
glory. " Immediately he received his sight, and
followed Jesus in the way." Now, here is a simple
story, with certain plain lessons for us and all
men.
1.
The man got the one thing -which he was bent
on having.
It was the victory of a determined will. Our Lord
Jesus always yielded to those who would take no
nay. All the rougher forces in the world could not
turn Him aside a step ; but the importunate prayer
of a beggar or a Syrophcenician woman could get
anything from Him. Persistency never failed to