Articles

Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Luke 18:39

Bartimaeus coughed as a thick cloud of dust kicked up around him as the crowd shuffled past. He was sitting at his usual corner, doing what he did every day: begging for money. While the world lay in utter darkness to him, the seeing world preferred not to look at blind Bartimaeus. His gray, visionless eyes made people around him uncomfortable. His physical condition made him unclean, and he was viewed only slightly higher on the social ladder than the tax collectors.

He was used to being the object of ridicule and pity. If he was lucky, a few people might throw a mina or two his way as if throwing food scraps to a dog. As the crowd rumbled past, he yelled out, “What’s happening? What’s going on?” Someone replied that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

Not Seen but Heard

Bartimaeus couldn’t see a thing, but he had been listening intently to stories about Jesus of Nazareth. He knew that Jesus was restoring eyes, limbs, and lives. Just a few weeks ago, he heard that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead in nearby Bethany. He overheard women excitedly retell the story as they walked past his corner. He’d lean in closer to hear more details about this miracle man named Jesus.

The incredible stories of Jesus’ miracles and teachings echoed in his mind, as did the Scriptures he knew about the coming Messiah, the Son of David. Could Jesus be the one? Bartimaeus started feeling something he hadn’t felt for years…hope.

Seeing Things in a New Light

A spiritual spotlight turned on in Bartimaeus’s dark world. The time to act was now, and he began to cry. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Each time he said it, he believed it more and proclaimed it louder. Annoyed by the attention he was drawing to himself, the crowd silenced him to be quiet. But something had sparked inside of him. He knew no one else would advocate for him, so he had to do whatever it took to get Jesus’ attention. To his astonishment, the stir he caused worked! Jesus suddenly stopped and commanded Bartimaeus to come to him.

A kind stranger grabbed his hand and lifted him to his feet. “Be of good cheer. Rise, he is calling you” (Mark 10:49). Be of good cheer? What was happening? His heart started to swell with hope and anticipation. He cast off his cloak and made his way to Jesus. Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Believing is Seeing

What kindness and compassion! The Son of David stopped to ask Bartimaeus, a lowly blind beggar, what he wanted from him. There was no question in Bartimaeus’ mind what he wanted from Jesus; he wanted his vision restored. Jesus saw his faith and replied, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well” (Luke 18:42). Immediately, the world came into colorful focus, and Bartimaeus now had restored physical and spiritual vision. He joined the crowd following Jesus and glorified God.

Seeing the Path of Grace

Bartimaeus’ healing is another example of annoyingly persistent pleading with God to answer our prayers. How does this work itself out practically? David Mathis said, “We cannot force Jesus’s hand, but we can put ourselves along the paths of grace where we can be expectant of his blessing.” 

Formerly blind, Bartimaeus gives us five ways to see the pathway of blessing a little more clearly.

1. Acknowledge: Bartimaeus knew he needed mercy. Mercy is God’s tenderhearted, loving compassion or pity for his people. Tim Challies said, “Mercy is not something God owes to us – by definition mercy cannot be owed- but is something God extends in kindness and grace to those who do not deserve it.” Ironically, it was the blind man who saw his need and condition most clearly. 
   
2. Persist: Bartimaeus’s being told to be quiet triggered something in him, which made him scream out even louder and more persistently. Don’t give up, and don’t let others stop you from asking God for what you want. This kind of prayer often gets answered.
   
3. Abandon: Bartimaeus threw off his cloak and followed Jesus. His cloak provided him warmth and probably a cushion to sleep on. This act of abandonment was like saying, “I don’t have much, but what I have, I’ll give up for the sake of following Jesus.” Whatever you hold more dearly than following Jesus might be standing in the way of your path to God’s grace.
   
4. Determine: Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” It’s a stunning question when you think about it. The God of heaven and earth says, “How can I serve you?” Be specific and ask God for what you want (James 4:1-3).    
   
5. Follow: Bartimaeus forsook his old life and followed Jesus. Some have speculated that the reason he’s so specifically identifiable in this story is that he might’ve been a prominent follower of Christ in the early church, a name instantly recognizable to many. Bartimaeus saw that Jesus was worthy of his devotion and followed him. Are you a follower of Jesus Christ?  

Seeing Your Need Through Other Senses

Like Bartimaeus, I’m learning to lean into my other senses of listening to God to see him more clearly. I’ve been trying to put myself on God’s path of blessing by praying, reading, journaling, and blogging about a specific need in my life. Last week, God was merciful and answered. Looking back through my journal this week, I saw how God has worked through my heart and transformed my perspective on this issue.

I’m still resting in dependence on God as I see him light each step along my path. Bartimaeus saw his true spiritual condition, needing mercy, with his physical need, needing vision. When we see clearly like that, we can say, along with Bartimaeus and the saints through the ages, “I once was lost, but now I’m found; I was blind, but now I see.”

SDG,

Cara