Bartimaeus
| 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!" 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. Jesus said, "What can I do for you?" The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." "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. (Mark10:46-52 MSG) |
When Jesus called, Bartimaeus got up to go. The Bible says that he threw his coat down. This means that he took off his outer coat and jumped up to go to Jesus. Bartimaeus' coat was possibly his most valuable, if not only possession. He must have known that someone else could easily pick it up and carry it away. He must have known that he could have lost it and this man would not have had the means to replace it. However, he counted the cost, threw down everything he had, and was willing to pay whatever price was necessary just to get to Jesus.
Bartimaeus frantically called to Jesus because he recognised who Jesus was; the merciful Son of David. He was excited to be in the presence of the One who mercifully healed and worked in even the most seemingly impossible situations. Heal a blind man? Make him see? Bartimaeus had little doubt. He knew Jesus could heal him. What is our heart's attitude when we approach our Saviour during difficult or traumatic times in life? Do we doubt his care, mercy and ability to work for our good, or do we have the confidence of Bartimaeus when we call out, "Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!"
One day a Christian and a Communist were sitting on a park bench watching the world go by. As they watched, a poor, drunken beggar walk by dressed in rags. The Communist pointed to the beggar and said, "Communism would put a new suit on that man!" To which the Christian responded, "Maybe so, but Jesus Christ can put a new man in that suit."
When Bartimaeus came to Jesus, he was asked a very important question and his response was one of pure faith. He trusted Jesus to heal him and then, the impossible happened; the blind man received his sight and was restored to wholeness at the word of Jesus. We need to understand that when Jesus healed him, the phrase literally means, "has saved you". Bartimaeus got far more than physical healing that day; he also got spiritual healing as well.
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Ruth Armstrong, runner, wife to Warren, mother to Lia, Sarah and Noah and minister at St Andrews Germiston.
