<TITLE>30. Par 119-122</TITLE>L-119 Here sometime I was reading about old blind Bartimaeus. He was an old man. One night his--his wife was stricken sick. He had a little dove that done somersaults over each other like this, the enticed the travelers that passed by. And as they passed by they'd watch that and stop. Then they'd give blind Bartimaeus a coin, and that's how he lived. So the story said.
Then one day his wife took sick. He walked out. He was a believer. He believed God would heal. He believed God was real. He said, "Lord God, my poor wife. The doctor can do no more for her. If You'll spare her life tomorrow, I'll take these turtledoves and offer them to You for a sacrifice." It's hard thing. We want to make the sacrifice out of, well, something easy. See? That's not a sacrifice. It's something that hurts and cuts is what's a sacrifice.

L-120 So the next--the next morning his wife was well. He took the turtledoves and offered them. Not long after that they say he had a little blond-headed daughter about eight years old. He'd never seen her in his life. He was blind. She took sick. So he went out and prayed that night. He said, "Lord, if You'll heal my little girl and don't let her die, I'll give You my..." He had a lamb. These days they--they're led by a dog that leads the blind. They had a lamb then that led the blind. So he had a little lamb that led him up to the gate, and then he'd stop and tie the lamb up.
So he said, "If You'll heal my little girl and don't let her die, God, tomorrow I'll give You my lamb." Well, the next morning his little girl was well. God had healed her. So here he goes up.

L-121 The story says that Caiaphas, the high priest, stood up and said... They was going up towards the sacrifices. He said, "Where goest thou, blind Bartimaeus?"
He said, "O high priest, I go to offer my lamb. Jehovah God healed my daughter last night. I promised Him my lamb."
"Oh," he said, "blind Bartimaeus, you cannot offer that lamb." Said, "I'll give you the money to buy you a lamb up at the sellers and," said, "up at the--the cages. They'll give you a lamb. I'll give you some money and you buy a lamb."
He said, "I never promised God 'a' lamb. I promised Him 'this' lamb." That's right. "This lamb..."
He said, "Blind Bartimaeus, you can't do that."
He said, "But high priest, I promised God I would."
He said, "But, blind Bartimaeus, that lamb is your eyes."
Said, "Very well, high priest, but God will provide a lamb for blind Bartimaeus' eyes, if blind Bartimaeus will obey God."

L-122 Well, about six months later in a cold November day, he set at the gate shivering, no lamb to lead him, no doves to do enchantment, no money to pay the coal bill, but he had obeyed God. First thing you know he heard a racket coming down the street. "What is it?" Just screaming and crying, shouting. There's always some kind of excitement where God's around. Said, "Who is that coming?" God had provided a Lamb for blind Bartimaeus' eyes. Here come the Lamb.
And that Lamb's provided for every spiritual blind man or physical blind man in here this afternoon and woman. The Lamb has been provided. Won't you accept it while we bow our heads, if you will.
Our heavenly Father, sometimes I think of how... What can we do? How can these things be that You're so good to us? Bless us and help us. We're unworthy, and I pray for mercy. And today while we know that same provided Lamb that was for blind Bartimaeus' eyes is here. Pass through here, Lord. Open every spiritual blinded eye, and let them see today that Your Church is a Church alive with miracles and signs and wonders. Grant it, Lord.


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