In the 1700's there occurred a rather remarkable change in the life of an Austrian Count named Nikolaus Zinzendorf. Born into nobility, Zinzendorf had recently completed his training in law, and was sent off to complete his education by touring European cities. In an art gallery in Dusseldorf he came upon a masterly painting of Jesus. The eyes of the Master seemed to penetrate the Count's heart. Beneath the painting were these words: "This I did for you; what are you doing for me?" Count Zinzendorf was never able to forget those haunting words. Within a few years he had retreated from public life to devote himself to a Christian community he had started for religious fugitives from Moravia.

Bartimaeus might have been haunted by the same words: "This I did for you; what are you doing for me?" There are a thousand things he might have done after receiving his sight. We only know one. He followed Jesus. That is what faith is all about. It is a response to who Christ is and what he has done for us.