Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus
Our focus for the next two weeks of our daily devotions is on the supernatural acts of the Lord Jesus. Today we look at the healing of blind Bartimaeus:
46Then 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. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50Throwing 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 (Luke 18:46-52).
As Jesus was leaving the city of Jericho, a blind man, Bartimaeus, was sitting beside the road in a place that was strategic for begging. When he heard the commotion of a large band of people passing by, he inquired who it was. He must have heard testimony about Jesus at some time, because when he was told it was Jesus of Nazareth, his response was to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Notice that he did not call him Jesus of Nazareth. Son of David was a title for the Messiah (Messiah is the Hebrew word for Christ; it means God’s Anointed One).
Faith and desperation rose up within him as he shouted out to Jesus. Some on the outskirts of the crowd could not hear the master teach over the beggar’s shouting. They rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but they could not keep Bartimaeus quiet. A different Greek word is used the second time, in verse 48. It is translated: “he shouted all the more.” The Greek word used is krazō, which means to scream or shriek.[1]Also, the tense of the original Greek language brings out the fact that he kept on shouting and screaming. He would not shut up! The picture we get is of a man going crazy with emotion. There is desperation behind Bartimaeus’ voice. Bartimaeus had this one opportunity, and he was not going to let Jesus go by without doing all in his power to get his need met.
Bartimaeus’ heart was in his approach and plea to Christ. It was filled with energy or fervency. The ability to call and not be put off by distractions, people, and things are most important in a prayer life that is effective. Jesus found a man in great need and He would not pass by. When the man voiced his need to the Lord, the immediate words were: “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you” (v. 42). The blind man’s eyes were opened to see…The Savior of the World, Jesus, God in the flesh! Wouldn’t that be awesome! One day, these eyes of flesh will close for the last time, and spiritual eyes will open to the same sight, Jesus the Christ. I hope you know Him! We will gaze on His loveliness and majesty, and all the pain of this life will be gone. What an awesome day that will be! Keith Thomas
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