Blind Bartimaeus

(Jesus) …went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. Mark 10:46-52 

       The blind beggar used to being out in the streets trying to make enough money to live off of must have wondered at the great crowd and commotion going by.  His ears must have picked up on Jesus name in conversations and Bartimaeus knew this was his chance for a miracle.  He cried out for mercy from Jesus.

       Many in the large crowd rebuked him for his scream or loud call.  Shhh! Don’t bother the Master, quiet down, you’re embarrassing yourself: I’m sure there were many excuses why the people tried to quiet the man, but none would have been done out of compassion.  Notice it is unreported that any man/ woman tried to help the blind man to Jesus or to call Jesus’ attention to the blind beggar.

       Instead of being intimidated by those he could not see, he shouted all the louder for mercy.  He caught the Lord’s attention for ‘Jesus stood still’.  Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, stood from the ground he sat upon to beg, and walked (or ran?) to Jesus.  The crowds did not stop him.  Their attempts to quiet him did not stop him.  His lack of seeing did not stop him.  Bartimaeus didn’t let anything stand in his way to get to Jesus.  He told Jesus what he wanted, and Jesus told him his faith (conviction that Jesus could heal him) made him whole.

       We need to throw off our filthy outer garments that bring us comfort and possibly hinder us on our way to Jesus walk through the crowds trying to quiet us or stop us, and find our way to Jesus.  He is the only One who can save us.  He is the only One who can heal us.  He is the only One who can free us from our bondage.  He is the only One who can make us whole.  Jesus alone is our Redeemer.