All too often, we think we have things figured out, but we don’t. When we lose the sense of our need for Christ, our desire to serve and our diligence will wane. We’ll think we are happy, healthy, and see clearly, but we are sad, sick, and sightless (John 9:35-41; Mark 2:17; Rev 3:17-18).
Though Bartimaeus was blind, he saw better than most of those who were around the Son of God. He cried to the Son of David for help. Jesus called for him and healed him. Here are some things Timaeus’ son saw before he could see.
Mark 10:46-52:
"Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging.
And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!'
Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'
So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.
Then they called the blind man, saying to him, 'Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.'
And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
So Jesus answered and said to him, 'What do you want Me to do for you?'
The blind man said to Him, 'Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.'
Then Jesus said to him, 'Go your way; your faith has made you well.' And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road" (Unless otherwise stated: Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Used by permission. All rights reserved).
Others saw a Nazarene, but Bartimaeus saw the Messiah.
In identifying Jesus to the blind man, the people called Him Jesus of Nazareth. Nazareth was not considered an impressive place (John 1:45-46). Though this is where Jesus’ mother raised Him (after their return from Egypt, Matt 2:13-23), Jesus’ Father was from heaven.
Bartimaeus called Him the Son of David. This is the term the religious leaders correctly recognized as referring to the Christ, the Hebrew Messiah, God’s Chosen One (Matt 22:41-46).
Others saw the status quo, but Bartimaeus saw the urgency.
There would have been a spectrum of reasons the crowd silenced Bartimaeus as he let out a raven-like cry for Jesus’ mercy. Regardless, they were trying to maintain their perceived standard of how they thought things should be. The blind man saw Jesus as his hope for healing, threw aside his shelter, blanket, and a sizable part of his possessions to get to Jesus (Matt 13:44-46).
Others saw the miracle, but Bartimaeus saw the Master.
Having healed him, Jesus told the soon-not-to-be-blind man to go his way. Notably, Bartimaeus “followed Jesus on the road.” He expressed his gratitude by following Jesus. Of all the things he could have done now that he had his sight, he decided that the Christ was his priority.
Bartimaeus recognized his need, and he was healed.
He knew he was blind, and so he saw.
Do you have a need? How will you respond?
Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.
Van
