This beggar, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, probably was not the only beggar sitting beside the side of the highway that day. He was probably surrounded by beggars, some who could see, some who could not see, some who were handicapped in various ways. All the beggars would be crying out to the multitude, passing by on the highway, the most promising spot, for a gift. Begging was their livelihood. They had no other hope, then the hope that somebody passing by on the highway might hear them, stop and have pity on them by giving them a gift.
Yet, when Bartimaeus, the blind beggar heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth passing by. He responds differently from the crowd. The others may or may not have heard of Jesus before, but even if they had heard of them before, they did not cry out to Him specifically. They did not place their faith in him and his abilities.
Bartimaeus knows who Jesus is. He has heard of him before. He knows what it has been said that he can do. He has heard the stories of the demons being cast out, the sick being healed, the lame walking and the blind seeing. He had heard and must have surely thought before – if only I could stand before this Jesus.
When they said it was Jesus of Nazareth walking by, how his heart must have stopped. He instantly knew he had to get his attention. How he must have wished that he could have been as fortunate to have a personal encounter with this Jesus of Nazareth. And yet here he was now, passing by him. Here was his one chance. He couldn’t see him, but from the answer of the crowd he knew he was there. If only he could hear him! So he cries out as loud as he can directly to Jesus.
"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me."
While others were asking and wondering, "Can this be the Son of David?" Matthew 12:23 Here we see that Bartimaeus, fully believed Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of David. He demonstrates his faith by crying out to Jesus at the top of his lung, confessing his identity. Jesus, Son of David according to prophecy.
Jeremiah 23:5 (ESV)
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
Bartimaeus raises his verse to be heard by one man specifically. The other beggars would be calling out to anyone who would listen, anyone in ear shot, anyone who looked like they were rich and might be willing to give. Bartimaeus limits his options. He raises his voice to be heard by only one.
He cries out so loudly that those around him tell him to be quiet. He’s making a scene, disturbing the peace, trying to get noticed and he is noticed by all those around him who attempt to quiet him. Instead, of complying, he cries out even louder.
"Son of David, have mercy on me."
He asks for mercy. He knows he does not deserve mercy. Mercy is not owed to him. He is not entitled to any benefits or Jesus’ attention, instead he pleads for mercy.
He feels his need as only those in desperate situations can and do. The depth of his need causes him to cry out even louder every time someone tries to hush him. It pays off. Jesus hears him and stops and says, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart. Get up; he is calling you."
After being discouraged, he is finally encouraged. He throws off his cloak, springs up and comes to stand before Jesus. Mark 10:49-50
When he is close to Jesus, and standing before him. Jesus asks him.
"What do you want me to do for you?"
That’s a big question. Beth Moore in one of her bible studies, has you write a letter answering this one question at the beginning of the study and sealing it to be read after the study. What would you have Jesus do for you? I remember writing my letter in answer to this question. I remember how difficult it was. Now that you have his full attention, what do you want Jesus to do for you?
Bartimaeus knew instantly. "Lord, let me recover my sight." or “Lord, let me see again.”
We don’t know how long he had been blind or if he had always been blind or how old he was now but we do know that this was the greatest desires on his heart, what he wanted more then anything else, the desire to see again.
Jesus replies, "“Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.”
Immediately the eyes of Bartimaeus were opened in more ways then one. He recovers his sight and begins to follow Jesus from that day forward, praising God and causing others to praise God with him.
Your faith has made you well. This was a common response from Jesus after exemplary faith.
Matthew 9:22 (ESV)
Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.Matthew 9:29
Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you."
Bartimaeus also demonstrates exemplary faith. What was so exemplary about Bartimaeus’s faith?
It was an active faith. This wasn’t a mere quiet internal agreement. The faith of Bartimaeus was active and displayed itself outwardly. He actively sought to be heard by Jesus and did everything in his power to be heard to be heard by him. He cried out to him at the top of his lungs despite the attempts of the crowd to hush him.
It was no blind faith. It was solidly grounded and tied to Jesus and the rock of his hope. Bartimaeus faith was firmly anchored to a person, not to a hope, a wish, his own worthiness or even his own ability to faith but to a person, the right person, the one person – Jesus and Jesus’ power to save. He had no other hope but him and he believed what the prophecies said about him, that he could do what they said he could do. This is faith, simply God can do what he says He can do.
It was a humble faith. This man when crying out to God, came to him as he was, as a beggar asking for mercy addressing one who had the power to give. Note how humbly Bartimaeus asks to receive his eye sight back, he doesn’t demand it. He comes to Jesus as he is, as a beggar, hungry and in need.
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh. – Luke 6:20-21
There is no other way to approach God. His persistent cry for mercy is much like that of the tax collector who beat his breasts a few paragraphs before him as he cried out to God.
“God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” – Luke 18:13
Or the persistent widow in Luke 18:3 who continually calls out to the unjust judge for justice against her adversary until he answers her. All of these stories, all of these petitions, are prayers of persistence that comes from their poverty and hunger, from their desperate need to be heard and satisfied by the one they know has the power to help and give them the gift they truly need.
It is an obedient faith. The scriptures tell us to ask and we shall receive. (John 16:24) It commands us to call upon the Lord when we are in trouble and he will answer us. (Psa. 50:15) Petitioning God for our needs and the needs of others, is simple obedience. Christianity is a confessed dependence on the grace and mercy of God. Those who do not pray, confess by their actions they do not need God and are not dependent on Him to meet their needs by their very failure to call upon Him.
It was a saving faith. We see afterwards Bartimaeus followed Jesus and praising and giving glory to God for his healing mercy. His eyes were open both physically and spiritually for Bartimaeus saw the Savior and followed him. He knew first hand, the grace of God by the works that God did his life and became evangelical. He was a living message and witness and wasn’t afraid to share it. Witnessing to others is always sharing what we ourselves have first hand witnessed and experienced in encountering and interacting with Jesus in our own daily life. It’s not merely doctrine and head knowledge but personally enjoying the blessings and mercies of God in our lives daily.
What has Jesus done for you since you first met him? What difference has Jesus made in your life? Have you told anyone about it lately?
