Mark 10 contains the story of blind Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus was sitting by the Jericho road begging when he heard a commotion—the sound of many people going by. He must have asked someone what was happening and was told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. I’m sure Bartimaeus knew of Jesus and all the miracles He had been performing as He traveled the countryside, and in his desperation he begins to cry out to Him, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” [v47 NKJV]
Those around Bartimaeus told him to be quiet, but the more they tried to shush him, the more desperate and loud his cry becomes—until it reaches the ears of Jesus. Then the most marvelous thing happens, “Jesus stood still.” [v49]
Jesus stopped. He stopped. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. The triumphal entry into the city was just ahead of Him, and the shadow of the cross was looming. He was about to finish the work of the Father that was the very meaning of His life, but one blind man with a need, sitting on the side of the road stopped Him in His tracks.
Jesus asked Bartimaeus what he wanted; Bartimaeus told Jesus he wanted to see. Then Jesus healed him. “Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your faith has made you well.’ And immediate he received his sight ….” [v52a]
Now I don’t know if Bartimaeus was blind from birth or lost his sight later in life. I do know that the first thing he sees now is the face of the Savior and his response is to follow Jesus on the road. [v52b]
Part of me wonders if Bartimaeus saw the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, and if he stayed in Jerusalem to see the crucifixion. Was he part of the 500 who saw Jesus following the Resurrection, or part of the group on the mountain watching Him ascend? I don’t know, but I’m hoping he was.
