According to Matthew, there were two blind beggars sitting by the road (Matthew 20:29–34), and Mark gives the name of one of them— “Bartimaeus.” Both Mark and Luke (Luke 18:35–43) focus attention on him since he was the more vocal of the two. The beggars heard that Jesus of Nazareth, the Healer, was passing by; they did their best to get His attention so that they might receive His merciful help and be healed.

Matthew tells us that Jesus was moved with compassion and touched their eyes (Matthew 20:34), and immediately they were healed. Out of gratitude to Jesus, the men joined the pilgrim band and started toward Jerusalem, following Jesus. This is the last healing miracle recorded in Mark, and it certainly fits into Mark’s “Servant” theme. We see Jesus Christ, God’s Suffering Servant, on His way to the cross, and yet He stops to serve two blind beggars! What love, what mercy, and what grace!

The blind “saw” Jesus with their hearts before seeing Jesus with they eyes.  They knew who could help them.  They knew He had the power to change their lives of begging for pennies to following Him in grateful praise.  It was their faith in the Son of David, Jesus, who could heal their blinded eyes.

Mark 10, The Message

^46-48 They spent some time in Jericho. As Jesus was leaving town, trailed by his disciples and a parade of people, a blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting alongside the road. When he heard that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by, he began to cry out, “Son of David, Jesus! Mercy, have mercy on me!” Many tried to hush him up, but he yelled all the louder, “Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!”

^49-50 Jesus stopped in his tracks. “Call him over.”

They called him. “It’s your lucky day! Get up! He’s calling you to come!” Throwing off his coat, he was on his feet at once and came to Jesus.

⁵¹ Jesus said, “What can I do for you?”

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

⁵² “On your way,” said Jesus. “Your faith has saved and healed you.”

In that very instant he recovered his sight and followed Jesus down the road.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

When called by Jesus, Bartimaeus jumped up to run in the direction of His voice. 

IN AN INSTANT, JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING!

Jesus pauses only long enough to ask what he really wants.  Bartimaeus responds, “I want to see.”  The blind man becomes the one who can now see instantly because Jesus saw their hearts filled with faith!  What amazing grace!  What amazing love!  What amazing faith shown to Jesus who responds with mercy—that the men cried out for as He passed by…

Think about the “cloak” Bart left behind. 

Author and theologian, Derek Sakowski, relates a perspective that is worth our thoughtful and prayerful pause:

“The cloak of Bartimaeus is so much more than a cloak. It represents a way of life for him – how he had learned to cope and survive in an existence devoid of intimacy, connection, kindness, or care. He was a beggar, yes, but (one can easily imagine) a highly manipulative and cunning beggar who knew how to take advantage of people and get what he wanted without making any actual connections or commitments.

Instead of real relationships, Bartimaeus had his cloak. It kept him warm – warm enough anyway. It wasn’t the warmth of hearth and home, but it was enough to survive and endure. More importantly, he could hide himself in his cloak, staying isolated physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I imagine that, most of the time, he did not want to be seen. Whatever scraps of pleasure he could manage to carve out for himself, he could then indulge in secretly. His cloak was perhaps the closest thing he had to a friend. His life was not one that knew much by way of nurture of soothing. In his cloak, he managed to find fleeting moments of comfort and safety.  I can only imagine, over time, how dilapidated and disgusting his cloak became. But up to that day, it had been his most loyal companion. How many times had other people betrayed him or harmed him, rejected him or abandoned him? His cloak would not do that! It was predictable, even if it was only a surrogate – even if it was providing less and less authentic comfort or warmth.

How astounding it is that Bartimaeus cries out – repeatedly – “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!!” He makes himself so vulnerable. He risks more mocking and rejection.  Apparently he had decided that he had nothing more to lose. He was ready to risk it all.

It is even more remarkable to me that he leaves his cloak behind – even before Jesus heals him. He recognizes that the cloak – his loyal and faithful companion – is actually an obstacle to real connection. It has hindered him from receiving and will continue hindering if he doesn’t change his ways. More importantly, a desire so intense and deep is welling up in his heart – so strong that it overflows and overpowers his “settling” for survival. He wants to be well!  He intuits that Jesus can give him more – so much more. No doubt, he also hears the whispers of his cloak – warning him that he is making a fool of himself, gently enticing him to hide himself away once again and return to the safety of self-protection. But desire wins the day. Bartimaeus not only cries out all the louder; he actually casts aside his cloak and runs up to Jesus. He wants to see. Jesus heals him. He begins following Jesus.

As is so often the case in the Gospels, we don’t hear “the rest of the story.” I am enough of a student of human nature (including my own) to know that Bartimaeus’ following of Jesus in “The Way” was very likely NOT a linear journey, nor a “one and done” moment of salvation. Rather, it was likely a long and arduous transformational journey of conversion, including shining moments of freedom and triumph as well as plenty of other moments of stumbling and shame. We need only look at Peter and the other disciples to appreciate how long and complex the journey of conversion is.

If you are like me, I imagine that you can relate to the cloak of Bartimaeus!”

“What do you want?” Jesus asks us today.  What is the most pressing need that requires God’s mercy?  Tell Him.  He will hear you. He stands ready to listen to each one of us!

Our faith in Jesus changes everything!

Lord,

You know our hearts—sometimes better than we do!  You know exactly what we need but you want us to say it in faith, believing that you are already at work for us.  So, that’s what we will do all day long as we trust in you.  We pray.  You work. 

Thank you for always being with us. Thank you for noticing what each one of us are coping with while providing help because of your relentless love, undeserving mercy, and powerful grace. There is no one like you! 

So, all my hope, trust, and faith are completely in You.  You are life to me.  I love you with all my heart, all my mind, and all my soul.  Jesus, have mercy on us all so that we may see your glory at work today and stop to give you praise!

In Jesus Name, Amen

Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus,
to reach out and touch him, and say that we love him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.