Word Live: A Blind Man Sees
What are you hoping for as you come to Jesus today? What draws you to spend time with him? What is the longing within?
Bible passage
Mark 10:46–52
Blind Bartimaeus receives his sight
46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means ‘son of Timaeus’), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’
49 Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’
So they called to the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.’ 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
51 ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, ‘Rabbi, I want to see.’
52 ‘Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Explore
In this story we meet Bartimaeus. We are able to follow his journey from blind beggar to ardent follower of Jesus.
When we first meet him he is sitting on the outskirts of Jericho, begging as usual (v 46). It was just another day, and his expectations were few, until Jesus came along. Then we hear him shouting (vs 47,48), calling out to Jesus for help. People tell him to be quiet – he is a nobody and the famous rabbi has no time for him – but Bartimaeus persists: ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’
When, to everyone’s surprise, Jesus calls him we see Bartimaeus jumping, throwing off his cloak in his haste to seize the moment (vs 49,50). He has no hesitation in asking Jesus to heal him. His request is specific: ‘Rabbi, I want to see.’ Because of his faith he is healed (v 52).
Finally, we see him following, joining Jesus and the others on the discipleship road (v 52). He has gone from being a man with no hope to becoming a man with a purpose, such is the power of an encounter with Jesus. Happily that same transforming power is still at work today.
Author
Tony Horsfall
Respond
Imagine Jesus asking you today, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ How will you answer? Like Bartimaeus, be specific and bold in your request.
Deeper Bible study
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven … Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.’1
Today’s episode brings to a climax the section that begins in 8:22 and recounts ‘travelling with Jesus on the road of discipleship’. We examine the three descriptors for blind Bartimaeus in the passage – sitting, standing, following. First, Bartimaeus is seated by the roadside, literally but also figuratively because he is unable to participate in the social and religious life of his day. Yet, he is not docile or timid. Hearing that Jesus is passing by, he calls out incessantly, showing initiative, perseverance and insight into who Jesus is. He displays all the requirements for following Jesus, but is unable to get close because the crowd is unwilling to help him.
Jesus, however, stops and calls him. Bartimaeus’ instantaneous response to Jesus’ call (v 50) echoes that of the first disciples who immediately left everything to follow Jesus.2 Bartimaeus now stands before Jesus on the road. There is potential for discipleship, but will it be realised? In verse 51, Jesus asks Bartimaeus the same question he asked James and John in verse 36. Will Bartimaeus have a better answer?
In response to Jesus’ question, Bartimaeus asks for sight – and he receives it. In the light of the healing of the blind man in 8:22–26 and the disciples’ condition of lacking insight, Bartimaeus is simply asking for the gift that has so far eluded the disciples!3 But for what will he use his sight? Jesus’ command, ‘Go’ (v 52), gives Bartimaeus freedom to go wherever he wants.4 His response, however, is to follow Jesus on the road. In showing the (in)sight needed to truly follow Jesus on the road of discipleship, Bartimaeus serves as an example to Jesus’ disciples.
Where are you on the road of discipleship? What is Jesus asking you and/or what challenges do you face on this journey? Are you helping others along
the road?
1Matt 5:3,8 2Mark 1:18,20 3 FJ Moloney, The Gospel of Mark, Hendrickson, 2002, p210 4 FJ Moloney, 2002, p211
Author
Cor Bennema
