Fearless Bartimaeus

All of Scripture is important, but I favorite any story with an underdog. I am so grateful Scripture has story after story of people who face enormous challenges, and with the Lord's help, they triumph over adversity. The story of Bartimaeus is one of these stories.

As Jesus spreads His ministry throughout Israel, He travels to Jericho with His disciples. "As He and His disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' Jesus stood still and said, 'Call him here.' And they called the blind me saying, 'Take courage; get up He is calling you.' So, throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, 'What do you want me to do for you?' The blind man said, 'My teacher, let me see again.' Jesus said to him, 'Go; your faith has made you well.' Immediately, he gained his sight and followed Him on the way." (Mark 10:46-52)

What I love about this story is Bartimaeus's fearlessness. Here is Jesus walking along with a huge crowd surrounding Him. Unable to see and use his vision to make his way to Jesus, Bartimeaus does not use his disability to prevent him from meeting Jesus. Instead, he uses his voice to scream over the noise of the crowd. Next, Bartimaeus is rebuked by the crowd to keep quiet. Again, another challenge is set in front of him. Determined, Bartimaeus screams even louder for Jesus. Now, when Jesus hears Bartimaeus and asks him to come forward, Bartimaeus could have said, "No. I am blind. I cannot see and do not want to hurt myself by walking without assistance." 

But our mighty warrior does not reject the invitation! Instead, he throws off his jacket, and he LEAPS up! (My heart swells with emotion here. I think about how Bartimaeus has been an outcast for so many years. Being blind or having any sort of illness often left people homeless and cast out of families and cities. These lowly folks did not have social services available; they survived by begging and eating any food they could find. I nearly weep to think about how many people ignored Bartimaeus, cursed him, spat on him, tormented him. But now, the most important person in the universe wants to speak to him! Oh what joy and excitement!!!)

Lastly, Jesus asks what Bartimaeus wants Him to do. Again another obstacle. Should he ask Jesus for his sight? Is he worthy of such a request? Without fear and full of faith, Bartimaeus boldly states he wants to see again. Jesus restores Bartimaeus's sight because his faith has prevailed. Although Bartimaeus was physically blind, his soul saw Jesus for who He was--his Lord and Savior. "Blessed are you when men hate you and ostracize you and insult you and scorn your name as evil for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven" (Luke 6:22-23). For Bartimaeus, his faith in Jesus gained him the reward of sight...one can only imagine what his reward will be in heaven for his tremendous blind faith.

I look to these verses of Scripture for encouragement. Although I may never be healed in this physical life, my soul plainly sees my hope and salvation are in Jesus Christ. "For He did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him" (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).