READ MARK 10:46-52

Blindness in Jesus’ lifetime was quite common.  Actually blindness was a contagious disease carried by flies and the only way to avoid catching it was to stay away from those afflicted with it.    The hot desert sun would close the water duct under the eyelid and the eyes would become red and swollen, resulting in blindness.  People as well as animals would use oil on their heads to keep the bugs away.

Because the blind were often considered unclean they had to earn their living by begging at the city gate.  Bartimaeus was one of those afflicted with blindness.  He sat on the roadside of Jericho when Jesus passed by.  The Jews knew the prophesies of Isaiah which claimed that the Messiah would come to heal.  The Messiah would take away diseases like blindness, deafness, physical disabilities and relieve the suffering of the poor.  The Jews also were looking for the One who would save them from physical oppression and being slaves to other rulers.  These words were echoed by Jesus, when answering John, the Baptist’s question about whether Jesus was the Messiah.

Poor Bartimaeus, had spent his life as an outcast.  He couldn’t possibly work.  He most likely felt useless and purposeless.  He couldn’t care for himself, had no friends, no livelihood, but somehow he gained hope when he heard that Jesus was near.  The thought of having his eyes opened by the Messiah, must’ve been enough for him to go to any lengths to get Jesus’ attention – and he did.  He screamed at the top of his lungs, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The crowd and possibly the disciples rebuked the blind man.  They thought he was making too much of a spectacle, but that didn’t stop him.  Again and again, he shouted, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”  He acknowledged that Jesus indeed was the promised Messiah.  His persistence was unrelenting.

At last, Jesus stopped walking and told the crowd to call the man.  Bartimaeus jumped to his feet, dropped his cloak and ran to Jesus.

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

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

 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

The man was healed immediately. The healing was done by Jesus, because of the man’s faith.  How often do we become blind to the power of God’s healing in our lives?  Are we often like the crowd following Jesus, when we think that Jesus is too busy for us – that we aren’t worthy to ask for such things.  The blindness we exhibit in a case like this is even greater than the physical darkness Bartimaeus experienced.

Never be afraid to talk to your Savior.  He’s promised to hear all prayers.  He answers in His own way and on His timeline, but you can be confident that He will answer you.  His heart is so big and His arms open so wide, that we can be assured He loves us beyond comprehension – even when we don’t return that love.  What a friend everyone owns in Jesus.