“They came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many scolded him to get him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man and said to him, “Have courage! Get up! He is calling you.” He threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied, “Rabbi, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has healed you.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the road.” —Mark 10:46-52
Living in darkness, Bartimaeus sits by the side of the road begging for someone to put anything in his cup. Suddenly, he hears the commotion of people heading his way. It’s Jesus of Nazareth! Word about Jesus had already met with Bartimaeus ears. He had heard of the healings. He desperately believed Jesus could bring him out of the darkness into the wonderful light. He began calling out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The crowds rebuked him:“Pipe down old man!” “Stop all that screaming!” “Be quiet!” But Bartimaeus shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” He had lived in darkness far too long and was desperate for the light.
Jesus stops and says, “Call him.” Jesus is always calling us. Since the fall when God called for Adam until now, God reaches down to man and calls him–what glorious condescension!
“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God moving about in the orchard at the breezy time of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the orchard. But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” —Genesis 3:8-9
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.” —Matthew 11:28-30
The disciples approach Bartimaeus with very Good News! “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” What better news could there be? The God of all creation was calling him:
“Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with me.” —Revelation 3:20
Bartimaeus jumps to his feet and goes to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” asks Jesus. “I want to see,” he cries. He had been in the darkness too long. Nothing had truly been able to fill his cup. A coin here, a coin there, and yet his cup still had a jingle. There was always room for more. Jesus came to fill each one of our cups. “Your faith has healed you,” Jesus said and immediately his sight was restored and he began to follow Jesus.
This healing story is such a perfect example of salvation! We are in desperate need. We realize our need. We understand that we do not have the ability to do anything to rectify the situation. We are hopeless:
“That you were at that time without the Messiah, alienated from the citizenship of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” —Ephesians 2:12
We call out. Jesus comes. We throw off everything. We confess. Jesus heals us. We follow.
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how unfathomable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has first given to God, that God needs to repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever! Amen.” —Romans 11:33-36
Take It to Heart
Salvation, indeed, is very good news! Jesus came to set the captives free. He came to comfort all who mourn and to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness the prisoners. I must throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and follow Him.
“Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”