Bartimaeus Avenue to Healing: Mark 10:46-52
“46) Then they *came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. 47) When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48) Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49) And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they *called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.” 50) Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. 51) And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” 52) And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.” Mark 10:46-52
From beyond the Jordan, Jesus and His caravan started toward Jerusalem. In doing so they passed through Jericho. That day they had already traveled ten to twelve miles. A great multitude accompanied Jesus.
It was there they encountered a blind beggar named Bartimaeus. His story is recorded in each of the synoptic gospels. It was deemed significant by Matthew, Mark and Luke.
It was unusual that a blind beggar was named. His story undoubtedly gained significance. He may have become a key figure in the early church. This was the last great miracle of healing Jesus performed before His Triumphal entry.
When Bartimaeus heard Jesus was passing by, he cried out; “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” He had been hearing multiple stories of Jesus healing people from those passing by over the previous few years. His theology was correct. Jesus was the Son of David and He was his only hope for healing.
As he cried out, many tried to silence him, but he cried out all the more. Don’t let anyone silence you from seeking Jesus. Get urgent! Cry out! Let your faith be heard!
Shortly, Jesus stopped and called for Him. Think about the significance of this story. Jesus had set His face toward Jerusalem for His appointment with destiny, but one blind beggar got His attention. The big question is “Why?”
I’m sure Jesus passed other sick and needy people on His way to Jerusalem, but He only stopped for Bartimaeus. I pose the question again; “Why?”
I believe it was his faith. He wanted to regain his sight. Notice, Jesus didn’t pray for him, lay hands on him or touch his eyes. He just said, “Go your way, your faith has made you well.”
Jesus merely affirmed what his faith had already accomplished. At some point faith has to take action. It has to step out and claim “it is done!”
So we now have another question; “Did Jesus heal Bartimaeus or did his faith in Jesus bring his healing?” I will leave you wrestling with that question, but I think it is important.
Ultimately, they both come back to Jesus, but the avenue to the healing was arguable different. It is worth pondering, because with the earthly ministry of Jesus being complete, His physical touch is no longer the basis of healing.
Bartimaeus may have been a transition to a slightly different avenue of healing. His faith in Jesus as the Son of David became the basis for His healing. It was a personal inner approach to healing based on faith in the authority of Jesus Christ.
The whole subject of healing fascinates me. I am growing in my understanding of the biblical doctrine of healing. Bartimaeus may represent one of several approaches to healing found in the New Testament. Let me elaborate.
We may have access to a person with a gift of healing (1 Corinthians 12:9), or we may call the elders of the church to anoint us with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:13-18) But it seems that we also have a direct line to Jesus through personal faith in His authority as the Son of David. Any believer can step into the sandals of Bartimaeus and believe for personal healing. (1 Peter 2:24)
I am making baby steps in my own life with this approach, but I have seen some amazing results. It has been a faith journey, but I am learning much about Jesus being my authority for personal healing.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“46) Then they *came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. 47) When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48) Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49) And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they *called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.” 50) Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. 51) And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” 52) And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.” Mark 10:46-52
From beyond the Jordan, Jesus and His caravan started toward Jerusalem. In doing so they passed through Jericho. That day they had already traveled ten to twelve miles. A great multitude accompanied Jesus.
It was there they encountered a blind beggar named Bartimaeus. His story is recorded in each of the synoptic gospels. It was deemed significant by Matthew, Mark and Luke.
It was unusual that a blind beggar was named. His story undoubtedly gained significance. He may have become a key figure in the early church. This was the last great miracle of healing Jesus performed before His Triumphal entry.
When Bartimaeus heard Jesus was passing by, he cried out; “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” He had been hearing multiple stories of Jesus healing people from those passing by over the previous few years. His theology was correct. Jesus was the Son of David and He was his only hope for healing.
As he cried out, many tried to silence him, but he cried out all the more. Don’t let anyone silence you from seeking Jesus. Get urgent! Cry out! Let your faith be heard!
Shortly, Jesus stopped and called for Him. Think about the significance of this story. Jesus had set His face toward Jerusalem for His appointment with destiny, but one blind beggar got His attention. The big question is “Why?”
I’m sure Jesus passed other sick and needy people on His way to Jerusalem, but He only stopped for Bartimaeus. I pose the question again; “Why?”
I believe it was his faith. He wanted to regain his sight. Notice, Jesus didn’t pray for him, lay hands on him or touch his eyes. He just said, “Go your way, your faith has made you well.”
Jesus merely affirmed what his faith had already accomplished. At some point faith has to take action. It has to step out and claim “it is done!”
So we now have another question; “Did Jesus heal Bartimaeus or did his faith in Jesus bring his healing?” I will leave you wrestling with that question, but I think it is important.
Ultimately, they both come back to Jesus, but the avenue to the healing was arguable different. It is worth pondering, because with the earthly ministry of Jesus being complete, His physical touch is no longer the basis of healing.
Bartimaeus may have been a transition to a slightly different avenue of healing. His faith in Jesus as the Son of David became the basis for His healing. It was a personal inner approach to healing based on faith in the authority of Jesus Christ.
The whole subject of healing fascinates me. I am growing in my understanding of the biblical doctrine of healing. Bartimaeus may represent one of several approaches to healing found in the New Testament. Let me elaborate.
We may have access to a person with a gift of healing (1 Corinthians 12:9), or we may call the elders of the church to anoint us with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:13-18) But it seems that we also have a direct line to Jesus through personal faith in His authority as the Son of David. Any believer can step into the sandals of Bartimaeus and believe for personal healing. (1 Peter 2:24)
I am making baby steps in my own life with this approach, but I have seen some amazing results. It has been a faith journey, but I am learning much about Jesus being my authority for personal healing.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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