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212. Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

Matthew 20:29-34, Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43
Key Verse:  "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
Luke 18:37B

That's all Bartimaeus needed to hear. This was his moment and he was going to make the most of it.  I think that for our purposes, we will set Matthew's account aside. We have discussed Matthew's literary trick of doubling before. I prefer Mark's version of the event today mostly because Mark gives the blind man a name.

So often, the characters that have danced across our pages remain nameless. So often, we learn of their condition and the method of healing that took place, but the name is kept for only God to know. Today, however, Mark gives our subject a name. I like that. It makes him stand out somehow. Also, it would be good to note that, if the chronological outline that I am following is at all correct, then this healing is the last (explicit) one to take place before Jesus goes to the cross. He will have much more to say, and several gospel accounts mention that he does more healings at the temple, but Bartimaeus receives the last physically descriptive blessing of our Lord before His passion begins. I know that He will restore a soldier's ear, at Gethsemane, but I think of that as part of the drama of the Passion.

What do we know about Bartimaeus? Well, the word, "Bar," means "son of," so, as Mark explains, Timaeus is his father. Did Bartimaeus and his father become followers of Christ, so that their names would be familiar to the readers of those days? We don't exactly know, but it is possible. What is still significant is that this blind man did not have a first name of his own. Society did not recognized him as a man of value in his own right. So even as an adult, he was still just Timaeus' son. You know how people talk about the less fortunate ones, "Oh, that's Bartimaeus. Timaeus' son." Feeling sorry for Timaeus!

We know that Bartimaeus was determined, just as others were to be with Christ. I just picture this poor man sitting at the side of the road, yelling at the top of his lungs, his prayer for Jesus to notice him. All the others, the ones who could already see, found him annoying. What if Bartimaeus had listened and quieted down so as not to be a bother? He probably would have stayed as he was and Jesus would have passed by, but Bartimaeus didn't listen to the naysayers! He kept yelling his prayer and Jesus noticed.

Bartimaeus had faith. He knew that he wasn't acting like a madman! "Faith is being sure of what you hope for," (Hebrews 11:1) and Bartimaeus hoped to receive his sight. He knew that the one man who could honor his request was near him so he continued to pray with a faith that could not be discouraged.

"What do you want Me to do for you?" Jesus asked when Bartimaeus made it to Him. Again, Jesus asked. He didn't assume, but gave Bartimaeus the opportunity to make his request. We often wonder, if God knows what we need, why doesn't He just give it to us?  Why do we have to ask? Surely, here, Jesus knew what Bartimaeus wanted, but out of respect, to create a connection, Jesus asked, "What do you want Me to do for you?"

"Rabbi, I want to see." Bartimaeus responded. It was a simple request. There was no flowery speech to try to impress, just the honest truth, and Jesus responded in kind.

"Go," said Jesus. "Your faith has healed you." No mud in the eyes, no instructions, no two stages of healing, just simple grace, "Go, your faith has healed you."

"Immediately, Bartimaeus received his sight and he used it to follow Jesus along the road." (Mark 10:52 adapted) Bartimaeus didn't use his healing to go off and use it for his own pleasure. He used it to keep his focus on Jesus and follow Him. Would you have done similar?

God blesses us every day with many blessings with the intent that we will use those blessings to stay close to Him and give Him glory. If we are using them on ourselves, then we may be guilty of abusing them. God loves it best when we live an attitude of gratitude to Him and use His blessings to stick closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

"A little dramatization of this story"

Hymn: Jesus of Nazareth Passes By

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