Mark 10:46-52. The blind begger Bartimaeus hears Jesus is passing by with "a great multitude" and begins crying out to him "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." Many tell him to be quiet, but he cries out all the more. Jesus stops and tells the others to call Bartimaeus to him. Jesus asks Bartimaeus what he wants, and Bartimaeus replies "Master, let me receive my sight." Jesus tells him "Go your way, your faith has made you well." "And immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way."

There's so much in this story, but I want to focus on the last two lines. Jesus heals Bartimaeus and tells him "go your way." Bartimaeus, having received his sight, does not go his own way, but follows Jesus "on the way." In other words, he is now able to see, not just physically - in which case he would go his own way, back to his own life - but also spiritually - he sees that Jesus is the Way, so he follows him. Where else would he go? He has experienced the life-changing healing of our Savior - there is no more "his own way," it is only Jesus - the Way - who is worth following.

This is a true conversion story. When we finally see, we have no choice but to follow Jesus "on the way." And note that it is Bartimaeus' faith that saves him. We must have faith, even when it does not seem things are going our way. Even in the midst of our blindness, we must trust him always.

We must call out to Jesus - loudly, persistently, and against those who try to silence us - and eventually our faith and persistence will yield results. We will see and follow him on the way.