The Blind Man and Faith Mark 10:46-52
Today we’re introduced to Bartimaeus, a blind man who trusted Jesus and followed Jesus. His story shows us truths about faith. And I think this miracle Jesus performs for Bartimaeus is important to look at and study, because it is the last miracle Mark tells us about before Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.
Verse 46, “Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city…”
Jesus was with a large crowd, a crowd consisting of a variety of people. It included his disciples and many others who believed in who Jesus was. It included many that were curious, those hanging around Jesus hoping to see a miracle. And it included many Jews who were traveling like Jesus was, headed for Jerusalem to celebrate the upcoming Passover. This scripture also tells us this crowd was leaving the city. Jericho, like other cities of the time, had gates where people entered and left through, so this large crowd was pressed into a relatively small area.
Again, verse 46, “…a blind man, Bartimaeus, was sitting by the roadside, begging.” Think of this man; blind, unable to support his daily needs, just sitting there and begging, doing what to him was normal.
Here in one sentence is our world and our life. Imagine the noise, conversations, and commotion going on in that gateway. We live in a world of constant bombardment of our senses. Think of the daily conversations, the traffic noise, sirens and horns. Think of all the people who enter your circle during the day, friends, family, co-workers, cashiers, attendants, strangers. Think of what else causes commotion, TV, computers, phone. Our lives are spent in a reality much like that city’s gateway. And like Bartimaeus, each of us navigates through the hubbub, surviving the fray in any way we can. Doing those things we think are normal.
Now in the middle of this clamor, Jesus is about to call Bartimaeus to him and perform a life altering miracle for him. This encounter happened on an ordinary day. There wasn’t anything special about it. Bartimaeus wasn’t doing anything different this day than he did any other day.
When we navigate through the dust and noise of our daily existence, when we are simply doing our “normal” in life, Jesus walks by. Maybe it’s a song on the radio, or something someone casually says; suddenly, there he is, and he grabs your attention.
Verse 47, “When he heard it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” Somewhere in the din of that gateway, the Holy Spirit watered the seed of faith in Bartimaeus, and he knew who Jesus was, and he wanted Jesus right then, and not later. He didn’t wait until he could find a way to support himself without begging, Bartimaeus wanted Jesus now.
I’ve been blessed to be present when someone, in a flash, understands, when they suddenly understand who Jesus is. When they understand, they don’t have to change first. They don’t have to first end their addiction. When they understand, they don’t have to fix a broken relationship first. When they want Jesus, now. When they ask Jesus to come into their life right then and there. Mark, in this one sentence, lays open the fray of our lives, and how in the middle of it, Jesus is there.
Verse 48, “Many rebuked him and told him to be quite, but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’”
Here’s another reality in the lives of many believers. “What’s all this talk of Jesus all of a sudden?” “Since when did you care about what the Bible says?” A quick search on the internet and you can find hundreds of sites where people try to tell you you’re naïve, we’re brainwashed. We can have family or friends tell us, “You can go to church next week, we’re going fishing, or to the game, come with us.” We are continuously assailed by things that try to keep us from faith. But like Bartimaeus, when the Spirit leads you to Jesus, don’t let the buzz around you keep you from him.
Verse 49, “Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.’”
This verse reminds me of Revelation 3:20, “I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with them.”
Bartimaeus needs Jesus. We need Jesus. Jesus is in front of Bartimaeus. Jesus is in front of us. But Jesus will not force himself on us. We must make the first move. We must take those first steps toward him.
Verse 50, “Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.”
This blind beggar discarding his cloak symbolizes his departure from his old life and the ways that seemed “normal” In order to come to Jesus, for us to come closest to Jesus, we must also cast off our efforts to earn society’s rewards and focus on our savior.
Verse 51, “’What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked him. The blind man said, ‘Rabbi, I want to see.’”
Romans 10:9 gives us the instructions to salvation that this story of Bartimaeus is demonstrating; Romans 10:9, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” When we are ready to receive Christ, we must open the door. We must say to him what we desire; “Lord Jesus, I want you to come into my life.”
Some will teach that this has to be a grand spectacle. Bartimaeus knew Jesus could help him and he simply stated what he wanted. The thief on the cross believed who Jesus was, and he simply asked to be remembered. Whether in front of a congregation, just you and a faith leader, or even if you’re alone, believing who Jesus is, honestly wanting him in your life, and verbalizing it, is enough. Everything else, living as Jesus asks, sacrificing for others, offering peace and compassion and forgiveness to others; all these are our responses to Christ’s love and acceptance and forgiveness of us.
How do I believe this? Our readings verse 52, “’Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” Bartimaeus voiced his desire to Jesus, immediately he was healed, and he responded by following Jesus.
Today’s reading is a short account of the meeting of Jesus with the blind beggar, Bartimaeus. I find a lot of time; these short accounts have the deepest and most spiritual meanings. Bartimaeus and his encounter with Jesus gives us lessons and insights.
In the hubbub of our lives, Jesus sees us and calls us to him. And he is prepared to change our lives. We must be prepared to remove ourselves from what we see as normal. We must stop reaching for what society deems normal. We must give up our efforts to claim culture’s’ brass ring and put those efforts in learning about Jesus.
We must voice our desire for Jesus. When we do, we are instantly healed of our sins and saved. And our response should be to follow Jesus, to learn about him, and to live as closely to what he asks as we can.
May you bless others
As you have been blessed by Christ.
Amen