Be Grateful and Wise

The old warrior leader, Joshua, challenged the people to make a choice as to whom they would serve. He had made his choice and reaffirmed it before the nation. “… as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Accepting Jesus as Savior, and committing to following Him in our daily life is a choice. To men like Peter, Paul and Bartimaeus, the choice to commit one’s life to following Jesus was reasonable in light of what Jesus has done for us. A life dedicated to following Jesus isn’t a life wasted, but rather a life invested. Making the commitment to following Jesus is the wise choice. It is the grateful choice. Jesus Christ purchased our salvation, redeeming and freeing us from sin, death and the grave. Paul cautions the Roman saints to use liberty as license to sin; use your liberty to follow the Lord.  Bartimaeus did all he could to get the attention of Jesus.  His voice rose above the crowd; their advice and angst in order to bring his petition before the Lord.  When Jesus asked what he wanted, Bartimaeus asked for life change.  Jesus responded, "Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole".   Blind Barimaeus had life change that day.  No more would he have to beg for a living.  For the first time, he could make choices that heretofore were not available to him.  What would he choose to do with his life not that he could see... not that he was normal? The Scriptures tell us.  "And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way."  This formerly blind man who had a new lease on life, made the grateful and wise choice.