Mark 10:32-52  Jesus and His disciples are heading towards Jerusalem.. to the cross.  Jesus continues to try to prepare them for what is going to happen there.  " Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will deliver Him to the Gentiles.  And they will mock Him and spit upon Him, and scourge Him, and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again." ( 10:33-34)

Yet they still don't accept this or understand this.  Instead, an argument breaks out when James and John ( and their mother) ask Jesus for the favor of sitting beside Him on His throne.   Again, Jesus explains that greatness is not measured in positions of power, but in service.  God's purposes and plans are much different than what men think... even men who had walked along side Jesus while He was on earth.

As the group comes into Jericho and heads on through, Jesus is surrounded by another crowd.  One voice rises out above the others, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, calls out, " Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And, Jesus does have mercy on him, restoring his sight.  Jesus tells him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well."  Bartimaeus, regaining his sight, follows Jesus.

Mark 11 records the triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, the cleansing of the temple, and the lesson of the fig tree.   The last week of Jesus' earthly ministry has begun.  Bartimaeus will witness this with his newly restored eyesight.
Jesus on the colt.
Garments and palms spread out before Him.
The people and children singing.
The green fig leaves.... and then  the withered root.
The fleeing moneychangers, the scattered doves, and the overturned tables.
The temple in its beauty and the chief priests, scribes, and elders in their arrogance.

We need to have restored vision too.  To really see Jesus.  To have opened ears to hear what He has to say.
"Do not be afraid any longer, only believe." ( Mark 5:36)
"Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid." (Mark 6:50)
"All things are possible to him who believes." ( Mark 9:23)
"With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." ( Mark 10:27)
"Have faith in God." (Mark 11:22)

Believe that He can do the impossible.
Believe that He will move the mountains.
Believe that you will receive an answer to your prayers.
Believe that just as you can choose to forgive someone who has hurt you,  He will forgive you and all you have done to hurt Him....
Believe that He is good enough, wise enough, and powerful enough to do whatever it takes to bring you fully to Himself.  To perfect you, strengthen you, restore you, and even use you. For His glory.

Have mercy on us too, Lord Jesus!
Open our eyes Lord!  We want to see You.  We want to hear Your voice.
We want to follow You.
We want to believe... help us in our unbelief.
Living water.. come and fill us.  Take our dried and hardened hearts.. and pour down your healing rain.  Remove the rocks and thorns and weeds...
Father in heaven, we bring these requests to You in Jesus' Name.
Amen