Hit the Mark – Sharing the Word
On the surface, the question seemed unnecessary. Before Jesus is standing a desperate blind man. Only a few minutes earlier, he was sitting by the wayside without much hope. His situation was bleak, and his prospects for a better life were next to nil.
Image © Pacific Press
In prior conversations, he had heard about a great healer among them – Jesus of Nazareth. Stories of miraculous healing had quickened his heart. Although there was no possible way to meet this healer, just knowing that He was out there somewhere, kindled a flicker of hope.
As he sat in his usual spot for his daily, mundane, humiliating begging, he heard a crowd coming. So unusual was this, he asked those around him what was going on. The reply was, “Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.”
At that moment, hope exceeding his despair took action. He began to cry out the longing of his soul. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” He ignored those around him who wanted him to temper his shouting. Nothing and no one could keep him silent. He had to connect with Jesus.
Jesus heard, stopped, and commanded that Bartimaeus be brought to Him. Now, as they stood face to face, Jesus asked the question, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
That question, which seems so obvious, is one that we are being asked today. This week, as we examine Sharing the Word, we are reminded about the scriptures’ transformative power.
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
As we kneel before God, with our Bibles in our hands, He asks us, what do you want Me to do for you? What is your great heart’s desire? What is it that I can do for you that no man can do? What is it that I can do for you that you cannot do for yourself?
How we answer that question will determine the effects of our Bible study.
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. John 5:39
If our quest is to know better the One that had mercy on us, the scriptures will be revelatory. If our quest is for Divine guidance as we navigate this life, the scriptures will be illuminating. If our quest is freedom from sin and newness in life, the scriptures will be purifying.
Just what is it that you want Him to do for you?
Whatever He can do for you, He is also willing to do for others. If the Word is meaningful and transformative to us, our sharing it can have the same effect on others. Just as we want healing, deliverance, peace amid life storms, many around us want the same. We can be that conduit to a new life for someone else.
Here are a few Hit the Mark questions for this week’s lesson discussion:
- What does Bible study mean?
- What, if anything seems to make Bible study difficult?
- Is the primary purpose of Bible study to know better the doctrines of the church? Explain your answer.
- How does the Bible provide light for you? Give an example.
- 2 Peter 1: 4 says, we have been given “exceedingly great and precious promises.” How do we claim and apply these?
- Is the primary purpose of witnessing to convince people to join our particular church body? Why yes or no?
- Is the following statement True, Mostly True, Somewhat True or Not True: You are not witnessing if you are not using Bible texts. Explain your answer.
We close this week with words from another desperate encounter with Jesus. A father wanting desperately for Jesus to heal his son had just been told that if he could believe, all things were possible. It is the father’s honest, tearful reply that we end with today.
Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Mark 9:24
Until next week, let’s all continue to Hit the Mark in Sabbath School!
