A FOREWORD.
We are living in a season or at a time of many uncertainties. Sometimes, we are not even sure about the afternoon but on the same day. Anything can happen at any time. In some cases, employment is replaced suddenly by unemployment, health replaced by disease and sickness, peace by violence, disorder and war; life replaced instantly by death.
But amidst these chaos, over this world, there is still hope- as we look to Jesus over the work he personally did for you and me. In other words, the salvation and blessings he brought to us. This is exactly the way of the time of Moses when that rebellious generation was bitten by fiery serpents. Although that was as a result of the rebellion of Israel but within that pain and fear, GOD told Moses to make a fiery serpent. By the mercy of GOD, those who could look at it would still live and not die. So Moses made that bronze serpent.
[7] Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. [8] Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” [9] So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.
Numbers 21:7-9 NKJV
JESUS referred to this event in the book of John, by saying:
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, [15] “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:14-15 NKJV
My old schoolmate commented on that account before I finally published this book. Below is what she wrote:
In the Old testament, it is all about Jesus concealed and in the New testament, it is Jesus revealed.
Luke 24:27
So what happened in the wilderness in Numbers 21 :8-9 was an illustration/ shadow (typology ) of what was to be fulfilled by Christ ..
By looking at the bronze serpent they were healed…
Presently through the death, burial and the resurrection of Christ, those who believe are saved. Christ is the hope of our glory and in Him consist all things…We continue Looking up to Him ,the Author and Finisher of Our Faith…Hallelujah.
I really liked the comment. Its truth is inspiring, undeniable and encouraging.
So, it is a reality that we are passing through uncertainties and the pain of the bite of the Enemy. But on the other hand, we still have hope and live even into eternal life through Jesus Christ. We should still look to him for help not over our pain, rejection, sicknesses, fears and the challenges of this life. He has the solution to what is happening in the world today and what we may face tomorrow. This message is intended to bring hope to those passing through the storms of this life and the fears of tomorrow. As Bartimaeus found his healing, restoration and destiny in the Lord, you too can find the same. You do not have to be stressed or take your own life- there is still hope through the Lord Jesus.
Therefore, this message has taken much consideration over one man in the Bible, who turned to Jesus and had seen his eyes opened- Bartimaeus – the son of Timaeus.
He looked to Jesus and had his pain gone. Will you look to Jesus today? His hands are still open and waiting for you. He wants you to turn from the noise of this world, the pain of that fiery serpent’s bite and the fears of the storms passing on Earth today. You should look to him who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. The Healer, the Resurrection and the Life; the Prince of peace, the Way, the Truth…and the Savior of the world.
So, the issue is not about how big is the storm but how big is the Prince of Peace or how powerful is Jesus. There is still hope even in the middle of a storm. A person who is with Jesus, in the middle of a storm, has more hope than that one over calm waters but without Jesus. That storm will turn into peace but those calm waters into a horrible storm then into both physical and spiritual death. That is a disaster.
This book is intended to encourage you that Jesus is alive and your hope is not lost. Just as Bartimaeus’ hope was not lost after suffering for years, you too can find that hope through the same Jesus of Nazareth.
In this encounter between Bartimaeus and the Lord Jesus, I would like you to note and learn the following:
(1). It was a normal or an ordinary day in the physical.
(2). Bartimaeus heard and was convinced that the Man was Jesus.
(3). Bartimaeus threw aside his garment.
(4). The spot was necessary for that encounter and great miracle.
(5). The day started with blindness but ended with clear sight.
(6). He could have lost that great miracle if he listened to those stopping him.
(7). The faith of Bartimaeus.
(8). After that great miracle, he followed the Lord on the road.
Finally, there is still hope that you can live again.
Jesus is still alive and your hope is not lost.
Enock Mbendera.
Leave a Reply