Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
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.
Reflection:
After brief interludes, Jesus now returns to showing how the kingdom of God is at hand. And in this case, he shows us several things worth noting.
1. Bartimaeus means "son of Timaeus", many who have thought he was the son of the blind man. If this is the case this gives us even more reason to have compassion on this man.
2. The blind were not taken care of very well, as can be seen by the fact the he had to sit by the roadside begging. We see people on the road begging today and we shouldn't assume all of them are lazy. We should be led by the Spirit to help the needy among us, individually and as a church.
3. When he saw Jesus he shouted for him and said, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" By saying Son of David, it infers that he was probably Jewish, and had hope in Old Testament prophecies like Isaiah 35:5 which said of the Messiah, "the eyes of the blind should be opened". Thus Jesus is fulfilling more OT prophecy.
4. When Jesus calls him, he throws aside his cloak and jumps to his feet eager to answer the call. This not only indicates his faith/confidence, but that he would lay anything aside that would be a hindrance in him coming to Christ. Would that we would be willing to throw aside anything that hinders our walk with Christ, like Bartimaeus!
5. Perhaps the most telling part of the passage is when Jesus says, "What do you want me to do for you!" It makes me wonder do I not get what I want or need because I really never come to Jesus and ask him? This passage would lead one to believe Jesus is willing to give us what we want, if it is good for us and will further the kingdom expansion.
6. Bartimaeus received his sight and followed Jesus. Not only was his faith rewarded, but now he could see spiritually and this caused him to want to follow Jesus immediately. Though we should rejoice in any healing done in Jesus' name, the greater miracle is to receive spiritual sight and follow him and become part of God's kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven.
Though we shouldn't wish for trials or afflictions, if they bring us to Jesus, they can work together for our good.
Jesus help us to jump up, throw off our cloak and run to you. As we bring what we want and need, you will work in due time to lift us up! Amen.
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.
Reflection:
After brief interludes, Jesus now returns to showing how the kingdom of God is at hand. And in this case, he shows us several things worth noting.
1. Bartimaeus means "son of Timaeus", many who have thought he was the son of the blind man. If this is the case this gives us even more reason to have compassion on this man.
2. The blind were not taken care of very well, as can be seen by the fact the he had to sit by the roadside begging. We see people on the road begging today and we shouldn't assume all of them are lazy. We should be led by the Spirit to help the needy among us, individually and as a church.
3. When he saw Jesus he shouted for him and said, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" By saying Son of David, it infers that he was probably Jewish, and had hope in Old Testament prophecies like Isaiah 35:5 which said of the Messiah, "the eyes of the blind should be opened". Thus Jesus is fulfilling more OT prophecy.
4. When Jesus calls him, he throws aside his cloak and jumps to his feet eager to answer the call. This not only indicates his faith/confidence, but that he would lay anything aside that would be a hindrance in him coming to Christ. Would that we would be willing to throw aside anything that hinders our walk with Christ, like Bartimaeus!
5. Perhaps the most telling part of the passage is when Jesus says, "What do you want me to do for you!" It makes me wonder do I not get what I want or need because I really never come to Jesus and ask him? This passage would lead one to believe Jesus is willing to give us what we want, if it is good for us and will further the kingdom expansion.
6. Bartimaeus received his sight and followed Jesus. Not only was his faith rewarded, but now he could see spiritually and this caused him to want to follow Jesus immediately. Though we should rejoice in any healing done in Jesus' name, the greater miracle is to receive spiritual sight and follow him and become part of God's kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven.
Though we shouldn't wish for trials or afflictions, if they bring us to Jesus, they can work together for our good.
Jesus help us to jump up, throw off our cloak and run to you. As we bring what we want and need, you will work in due time to lift us up! Amen.
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