The Blind Man with Extra Insight

Introduction

In this study we are going to look at the last miracle of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of Mark prior to the crucifixion; the healing of blind Bartimaeus. This is found in Mark 10: 46:-52.

Before we dive into this account, and particularly the cry and response of Bartimaeus it is important to draw out a few background details. These details will provide us with the right context for what happens.

This occurs towards the end of Jesus’ public ministry as Jesus and His disciples are heading to Jerusalem. They are passing through Jericho, and so are roughly ~20-30 kilometres away from Jerusalem, in a straight line - it’s a good day's walk to their final destination.

As they leave the city there is a large crowd, Mark 10: 40, we don’t know if the crowd has assembled in Jericho or built up along the way. What we do know, and what we can imagine, is that the crowd is making something of a commotion.

Our main character in this story is Bartimaeus. We don’t know very much about this man, his name tells us he was the son of Timaeus. Again, this gives us now real insight into who he was. We know he was blind, and I think we can, therefore, assume he was local to Jericho. History tells us that beggars in the 1st Century were the very bottom of the social order, so Bartimaeus is on life’s lowest rung. However, it does seem from the text that he was a known local figure - we have his name, and the people in the crowd rebuke him (Mark 10: 48).

With this in mind let’s look at this exchange.

The Cry

“When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!””

Mark 10: 47

The crowd has passed by, we can imagine Bartimaeus asking someone what’s going on. Then, on hearing it is Jesus passing by he sees his chance. He has heard of Jesus, heard of the miracles and realises this could be his chance out of blindness, this could be his way to a better life. On learning that it is Jesus passing by, his cry is instant, and persistent.

“Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!””

Mark 10: 48-49

Bartimaeus is not to be silenced, he is not going to let his chance pass by, he is going to be persistent in seeking Jesus. Why? Because he has realised, and accepted two key things that many, if not all, the religious leaders of the day had either not grasped or were intentionally refusing to acknowledge.

1. He needs mercy

2. Jesus is the son of David, and that changes everything.

Throughout Jesus’ public ministry he healed many, and in most of those cases he does so with an act of forgiveness, helping people with the greater need that they hadn’t even been aware of. We might, in Bartimaeus’ position, cry something more like “Jesus, please heal me!”. There would be nothing wrong with that. What we read Bartimaeus ask for is mercy. He knows that he needs mercy, he also knows, it seems, that only one person can really show him the mercy he needs. That person is the son of David.

“Jesus, son of David”, he cries. This title conveys so much of who he believes Jesus is, it draws on the prophecy of a coming King, a King who will be victorious, who will sit on His throne and have a Kingdom that endures forever (2 Samuel 7: 12-13). The Israelites have been living with this prophecy for generations, longing to see it fulfilled. Yet even as Jesus has moved amongst them they have not recognised Him as the fulfilment of this promise. Somehow, Bartimaeus, the blind beggar in Jericho, has this insight. Because of this insight, he cries out for mercy, not for healing.

Jesus’ Response

We know that the crowd tries to silence Bartimaeus, but he is persistent. Jesus’s response is beautiful. He actively engages with Bartimaeus, reaching down to the lowest of society to show mercy and bring freedom.

“Jesus stopped and said “Call him.””

Mark 10: 49

Notice how Jesus doesn’t call Bartimaeus himself, rather He gets those who have been trying to silence him to make the call. This extends further favour and dignity to Bartimaeus, it is a genuine act of love.

“Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

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

Mark 10: 50-51

The call shows the mercy is available, Jesus, in taking time to engage with Bartimaeus is showing him mercy. This moment is surely everything Bartimaeus had hoped for, here is Jesus asking him what he wants. His response shows again that he has some understanding of who Jesus is. Addressing Jesus as Rabbi shows that he knows this is a man of great learning, great standing, and worthy of respect. This fits with the previous title, “Son of David” which carried royal and messianic meaning with it. His request is simple, he has already requested mercy, and now he asks for the exact expression - his sight. This healing is an act of mercy. Especially in a cultural context where people often thought that their suffering was related to, or punishment for some sin, or problem of their own. This is why mercy is the first request.

Jesus’ response is full of mercy.

““Go”, said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.””

Mark 10: 52a

No lengthy exchange, no calls to be silent about the miracle, no asking him not to repeat His name. This time there is simply the healing. Jesus is about to enter Jerusalem, the big reveal is not far away now, and so there is no more need for secrecy; His time has come. Yet even as the final hour draws near Jesus still has time to show compassion, still takes time to meet people where they are at, and still has time to dispense grace and mercy in the most racial of ways.

Bartimaeus’ Action

“Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”

Mark 10: 52b

This blind man had a greater insight and willingness to recognise the move of God, than all the religious leaders of the day, this insight led to a life changing encounter. The encounter with Jesus is brief, yet the impact lasts a lifetime.

It is not hard to imagine that Bartimaeus, sitting in his begging spot every day, had dreamed of what life could be like if he could see. I wonder what those dreams were? Dreams of being included in society, of contributing to society, of employment, of family, of acceptance perhaps. Here, after an encounter with Jesus he could potentially begin to realise those dreams, and maybe later he did, but his first response is to lay them all down and follow the Son of David, to follow the new King as He ushers in His Kingdom rule.

What a remarkable response, what an incredible challenge it poses to us today. We who believe in Jesus have received great mercy and forgiveness. Yes, there is still suffering and hardship, yes we may have need of miracles of our own, but we have all received freedom from sin and death, all been welcomed into God’s family. It begs the question: what personal plans, hopes, or dreams do we need to lay down in order to follow Jesus like Bartimaeus did?