Mark 10:46-52 and Luke 18:35-43 records the healing of the blind beggar man Bar-ti-mae’-us (i.e., son of Ti-mae’-us) whose sight was restored when he pleaded and cried out to Jesus, asking Jesus to have mercy on him. This encounter starts with Bar-ti-mae’-us crying out to Jesus when he comes to know that Jesus was passing by. The people rebuke him and ask him to keep quiet, but Bar-ti-mae’-us does not succumb to peer pressure. He cries out even more with the same plea “Jesus, have mercy on me”. Interestingly, the Bible records that Jesus stood still and commanded that Bar-ti-mae’-us be called to him. When those who carried the words of Christ to this blind man, came to him, they said “Rise” for “Jesus is calling for you”. And casting away (laying aside) his garments, Bar-ti-mae’-us rose and came to Jesus. When Bar-ti-mae’-us reached Jesus, Jesus asks a question which on the onset may seem rhetorical and even absurd to some. Jesus asks Bar-ti-mae’-us, “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?”. Was it not obvious that Bar-ti-mae’-us wanted to be able to see; to have his sight back. Bar-ti-mae’-us responded, “Lord, [what I will that you should do is] that I might receive my sight”. Jesus tells Bar-ti-mae’-us that his faith [in the Faithful one] has made him whole and asks him to go his own way. Immediately Bar-ti-mae’-us receives his sight (is able to see) and followed Jesus in the way.
Though this account may on the surface seem to be yet another miraculous encounter with Jesus, closer introspection of the text reveal treasures hidden in it that can edify us. What are some of the lessons we can learn from this blind man?
- Bar-ti-mae’-us took the initiative to call out to Jesus and plead for his mercy. If Bar-ti-mae’-us had not cried out, he would have died a blind man. Those who don’t know Jesus or those who have forgotten their first love (Jesus) are very much in the same state as was Bar-ti-mae’-us; blind spiritually. If we are one of them, we must cry out to Jesus and ask for his mercy to remove the darkness.
- The people rebuked Bar-ti-mae’-us and charged him to hold his peace (i.e. keep quiet). The world today is no different than the people in Jesus’ times on earth. When they hear someone call out to the Savior, you invariably find the world rebuking and charging all those seeking mercy to be quiet.
- Bar-ti-mae’-us cried out even a great deal more. We must not succumb to peer pressure or pressures of this world, when we are calling on Jesus. When the cry for mercy reaches the son of God, Jesus Christ, he stands stills. He does not pass anyone by, because He paid it all, for all, and the will of God is that all be saved.
- The message that was brought to Bar-ti-mae’-us was “Rise” for “Jesus is calling for you.” and Bar-ti-mae’us rose and went to Jesus. We must rise from our sinful and fallen state when we know that Jesus is calling for us. Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. When we call out to Jesus, don’t be surprised, when he calls back for you. We must rise to meet the RISEN one. But did you notice, that before Bar-ti-mae’-us rose to meet with Jesus, he cast away his clothes. We must in like manner lay aside every thing that besets us and rise to meet Jesus, the resurrected risen Savior.
- When Bar-ti-mae’-us reached Jesus, he was asked a question as to what he willed that Jesus should do. What a powerful question that is. Jesus is asking you and me the same question. What is your will that I must do? Often we see that we are asking for God’s will, but our God is not a puppeteer. He asks us as to what we will, that He should do as well. Bar-ti-mae’-us responded that “He would like to receive his sight” and Jesus granted him that request. Imagine for a moment, if Bar-ti-mae’-us had asked for riches or for some other selfish gain. Do you think Jesus would have satisfied his request. Well, Jesus could have but should Jesus have. Note, Jesus did not ask, what he COULD do, but instead asked, what he SHOULD do. If you hear the words of Jesus, asking you what he SHOULD do, tell that you would like have the spiritual darkness lifted so that you and I may see. It is our confession and request for redemption that Jesus wants to hear. For when we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.
- Jesus heals Bar-ti-mae’-us telling him that it was his faith that healed him. Faith in the Faithful One makes all those who are incomplete to be whole.
- Finally, note how Bar-ti-mae’-us was asked to go his way. Jesus did not ask Bar-ti-mae’-us to follow Him. Nonetheless, when Bar-ti-mae’-us could see the very One who could make the blind to see, he did not go his own way, but instead followed Jesus. Bar-ti-mae’-us was not just restored physically but spiritually as well. When spiritual darkness is lifted and we receive sight by faith in Jesus Christ, we must resolve to not go back to our beggarly (sinful) lifestyle and follow Jesus.
Mark 10:46-52 (KJV)
46 And they came to Jericho: and as he 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.
47 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.
48 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.
49 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.
50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.
51 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.
52 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.
