The Story of Bartimaeus: Luke 18:35-43
“35) As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. 36) Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. 37) They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38) And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39) Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40) And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, 41) “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” 42) And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43) Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.” Luke 18:35-43
Mark also records this story. (Mark 10:46-52) He identifies the blind man as Bartimaeus of Timaeus. His healing and subsequent walk with Jesus was well known. This was a substantial miracle.
As Jesus walked by, Bartimaeus could hear the commotion of the crowd. He knew something extraordinary was happening. Many blind people are keenly aware of their surroundings. They have a heightened sense of hearing.
As he began asking questions, they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. Evidently, he had heard much about Jesus.
Quickly he started crying out; “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who were leading the crowd tried to silence him. In his desperation, he cried out even louder. He wasn’t about to sit quietly and let Jesus pass him by.
There is no clue in the story as to how he had connected Jesus with the Son of David. Putting the many stories together, he concluded Jesus was the Messiah.
His faith was in the identity of Jesus. According to Isaiah 53:5 and numerous other Old Testament verses, if Jesus was the Messiah, He was “The God Who heals.” That is the literal meaning of His name, “Jehovah Rapha.”
Hearing him crying out, Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to Him. Then He asked a simple question; “What do you want me to do for you?”
Without hesitation, he answered, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” What do you want Jesus to do for you? Do you have an answer?
With that response, Jesus replied; “Receive your sight, your faith has made you well.”
Let me make an important observation; his faith wasn’t in healing; his faith was in the Healer! He had no doubt who Jesus was and that He could therefore heal! He was indeed the “Son of David.”
Verse 43 might be the key verse in the story. Immediately, he received his sight, and began following Jesus, and glorifying God. He continued to vocally point people to Jesus. He became well known in the early church as “Bartimaeus from Timaeus, the former blind beggar.”
Jesus did much more than heal his vision, Jesus changed his life!
In fact, according to the gospel of Mark, Bartimaeus may have been among those glorifying Jesus during His Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem. He was most likely right there with Lazarus whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
We are called to be witnesses. We are called to lift up Jesus and tell His story. Never be shy to tell your story and point people to Jesus.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“35) As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. 36) Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. 37) They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38) And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39) Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40) And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, 41) “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” 42) And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43) Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.” Luke 18:35-43
Mark also records this story. (Mark 10:46-52) He identifies the blind man as Bartimaeus of Timaeus. His healing and subsequent walk with Jesus was well known. This was a substantial miracle.
As Jesus walked by, Bartimaeus could hear the commotion of the crowd. He knew something extraordinary was happening. Many blind people are keenly aware of their surroundings. They have a heightened sense of hearing.
As he began asking questions, they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. Evidently, he had heard much about Jesus.
Quickly he started crying out; “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who were leading the crowd tried to silence him. In his desperation, he cried out even louder. He wasn’t about to sit quietly and let Jesus pass him by.
There is no clue in the story as to how he had connected Jesus with the Son of David. Putting the many stories together, he concluded Jesus was the Messiah.
His faith was in the identity of Jesus. According to Isaiah 53:5 and numerous other Old Testament verses, if Jesus was the Messiah, He was “The God Who heals.” That is the literal meaning of His name, “Jehovah Rapha.”
Hearing him crying out, Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to Him. Then He asked a simple question; “What do you want me to do for you?”
Without hesitation, he answered, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” What do you want Jesus to do for you? Do you have an answer?
With that response, Jesus replied; “Receive your sight, your faith has made you well.”
Let me make an important observation; his faith wasn’t in healing; his faith was in the Healer! He had no doubt who Jesus was and that He could therefore heal! He was indeed the “Son of David.”
Verse 43 might be the key verse in the story. Immediately, he received his sight, and began following Jesus, and glorifying God. He continued to vocally point people to Jesus. He became well known in the early church as “Bartimaeus from Timaeus, the former blind beggar.”
Jesus did much more than heal his vision, Jesus changed his life!
In fact, according to the gospel of Mark, Bartimaeus may have been among those glorifying Jesus during His Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem. He was most likely right there with Lazarus whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
We are called to be witnesses. We are called to lift up Jesus and tell His story. Never be shy to tell your story and point people to Jesus.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
