Bartimaeus
Bartimaeus
Scripture: Mark 10: 46-52
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Spiritual Life Officer
USA Southern Territory
Learning the Life
Counting his steps and feeling his way along a path memorized by repetition, Bartimaeus took up his usual spot to beg as he had countless days before. He had learned to identify coins not only by touching them but by the sound they made as they hit each other. It wasn’t much of a life but for a blind man born into a poor home, there was this or starvation. There was no social safety net, no training programs for the visually impaired, no monthly government payment to counteract a harsh life.
But even here he had gained skill. Beggars ought to look like they are in need, so the clothes he wore were a message about his poverty. He learned to sense when someone slowed their pace and to turn his head toward them as if to look at them with what both he and the passerby knew were sightless eyes. He learned to plead, to grovel if necessary. Coins, tiny nearly worthless coins, were the fruit of his labor.
He thought about being blind in a world of sighted people. He could smell the flowers but saw no petals. He could taste a piece of fruit yet had no idea what it looked like on a tree. He could feel the texture of cloth but to the sightless, all robes are the same color. And while he could not see a child’s face, by touch he knew the gentle softness of her skin and delighted in that.
Jericho
The one advantage he had was living in Jericho, the last stopping place before Jewish pilgrims turned up the steep road that led to Jerusalem. The constant traffic of people on pilgrimage for the great celebrations of the Jewish faith meant that there were days when begging wasn’t so bad. These times made the lean days easier to take.
But as hopeful as those had been, none had not been like this one. Bartimaeus heard the excited conversations that the legendary Jesus Christ was in Jericho. He heard that He had surprised everyone by having a private meal with that outcast Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). And Bartimaeus knew that as Jesus headed toward Jerusalem, He had to pass this way, past his begging station. There would be crowds and that might make for a profitable day. But then his mind went beyond a few coins. Jesus healed people, Bartimaeus had heard, blind people among them. Could it be that something better could be hoped for? As he touched his useless eyes, he wondered, “Might my eyes be able to see? What would that be like? What would it be like to do something besides begging? To see my mother, my sisters, my brothers?” His mind raced from one thought to another, so much so that he could feel his heart pound in his chest. He had never dared hope like this. Reason said to dismiss these foolish thoughts, but they wouldn’t go away. What if, what if today, what if this very day I could see?
Jesus Came
The Bible records, “As Jesus and His disciples with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (Mark 10:46,47). Bartimaeus reasoned that if the stories about Jesus healing people were true, He could only have done these things if He was the promised Messiah. So, he addressed Jesus as the Son of David, heir to the throne, the promised One of God.
His insight was not met with appreciation but by anger. “Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet” (vs. 48). But Bartimaeus knew that this opportunity would not likely come again. If his life had any hope of change it was because Jesus would hear his plea. Those walking with Jesus could keep walking but he had this one brief passing moment to be noticed. And so, the blind beggar Bartimaeus put forth the most fervent, the loudest, the most desperate begging of his whole life. He would not be turned away by a crowd of people who had their eyesight, had not spent an hour sitting in the dust sweltering in the sun, had not had to endure the comments and the heartlessness of people who saw only one more blind man on the road. “…but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (vs. 48).
It was at this moment the very best thing happened. “Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him’” (vs. 49). Jesus stopped because He heard his cry. Jesus stopped because He saw his need. Jesus stopped and now the crowd didn’t matter. This poor despised blind beggar would have an audience with the Christ.
When Everything Changed
With the strange fickleness that can mark a crowd, their viewpoint changed. “So they called to the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He is calling you!” (vs. 49). Bartimaeus’ desperate cries must have been heartrending, must have left his darkened eyes overflowing with tears. But now it was time to rejoice.
Bartimaeus moved forward in faith, shown not only by rising to his feet but the Bible records, “Throwing his cloak aside” (vs. 50). Bartimaeus didn’t need his “beggar’s uniform” anymore. He knew that his life was about to change. He had no use for the ragged cloak. He flung it aside as the last vestige of his old life.
When he reached Jesus, the Lord asked him what he wanted. That was not so Jesus could have the situation explained for Him but for Bartimaeus to frame the words that represented what he dared not think possible before. “Rabbi, I want to see” (vs. 51).
Jesus heard the words but more than that, saw Bartimaeus’ heart. “’Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you” (vs. 52). In that moment the eyes that had stared blankly into unending darkness awakened to the light. The sound of voices was now married to moving lips. The Lord who he heard speak was now in full view. He didn’t need the staff to feel his way home. He didn’t need to count his steps anymore. He didn’t need that begging spot by the road. Bartimaeus could see!
Jesus told him he could go but Bartimaeus had other ideas. He stayed. He followed Jesus along the road. And because the Bible mentions him, he must have been known to the readers of Mark’s gospel written decades later. It was as if Mark was saying, “This is the story of Bartimaeus, the follower of Jesus, who took his first steps as a seeing man and has never turned back.”
Our Corporate Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be like Barimaeus. First, to work with whatever I have rather than just give into despair. Then, to have faith in You to change things in my life no matter how hopeless they may be. And when that time comes, let me step forward believing in spite of what others may say or even my own doubts. Let me speak strongly when You ask, "What do you want?" give me a bold answer and not some fretful whisper. Then when You do what only You can do, let me shout my testimony to any and all to bring glory to You, my miracle working God. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Our Worldwide Prayer Meeting
USA Eastern Territory
Thinking It Through
Do you think that Bartimaeus ever thought in all those years of begging that he could ever be healed? What do you think made him have that first spark of hope? When people were trying to keep him quiet, were they seeking to protect Jesus or keep Bartimaeus in his place?
Notable Quotables
Faith loves the stars too dearly to be fearful of the night. - Lt . Colonel William G. Harris
This old gospel song is based on this story. This version includes the lyrics for those who may not be familiar with it. "When Jesus Comes"
We would appreciate any feedback and/or suggestions on how to improve these devotionals. Please email comments to: SpiritualLifeDevelopment@uss.salvationarmy.org or by going to our website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/uss/spiritual-life-development.
We would love to hear from you.
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Territorial Spiritual Life Development Officer/THQ Chaplain
USA Southern Territory