An introduction by Jeff Johnson -

And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.      – Mark 10:52 (NAS)

The story of Bartimaeus the beggar, meeting Jesus near Jericho, inspires me deeply every time I read it. The implications behind what happens when Jesus confronts this blind man give each of us who look to God for mercy and faith much to be heartened by and also to ponder.

For here is an individual who exhibits true faith – one who cries out in acknowledgement to the “Son of David” and addresses him as “Rabboni,” a word for the most honorable of all people that is found only twice in the entire Biblical account. Christ asks him, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus, a man already with a faith that sees from his heart, asks that his eyes may see, too. Jesus, in great compassion, acquiesces, allowing Bartimaeus to now see his way safely as he follows Christ down the road.

That road happened to lead up to Jerusalem where all of Jesus’ friends would abandon him one night in Gethsamane. He would be led away, abused, spit upon, beaten and eventually crucified in the greatest injustice that has ever occurred on the planet.

Yet, the story did not end there and because of that, all those who have been given faith and eyes to see can continue in this journey following our Lord with great hope and anticipation.

This is music for that journey – prayers to help and encourage you along the way.

– Jeff Johnson
   The Feast of All Saints, 2008

WATCHING SWALLOWS PRAY VIDEO
Jeff Johnson featuring Brian Dunning
Click here to view on YouTube

Watching Swallows Pray is the first music video that ArkMusic has ever released. It was filmed last December near Jeff’s home on Camano Island, Washington by Global Net Productions.

Inspired by an experience Jeff had in Rocamadour, France one early Spring morning while watching swallows swoop in and out of an old church through an open door, the production features the song with an opening reading in french by Jeff’s daughter, Hailey Burgess.

Here is the poem in both French and English:

Hirondelles délicates, votre vol rassemble une prière:
Au-dessous,
En-dessus,
Devant,
Dérrière,
Au côté —
Tout autour.

Little swallows, your flight is a prayer:
Above me,
Below me,
Before me,
Behind me,
Beside me –
All around me…