The story of blind Bartimeaus is one of
the more personal ones in the gospel of Mark.
He is one of only two “minor characters” whose name is actually used
(the other being Jairus). Why is his
name remembered? It’s impossible to say. Perhaps Bartimeaus, or the son of Timai, was
known by those whom Mark was writing for.
Maybe there was no reason, and it’s just a coincidence. More important than Bartimeaus’ name, and why
it’s remembered when so many others are forgotten, is Bartimeaus’ story. What we learn from his story tells us more
about who Jesus’ is, and how in his mission Jesus’ surpasses all of Israel’s,
and indeed our messianic expectations.
It’s interesting to compare Jesus’ entry
into Jerusalem to that of his ancestor, David.
We recall that II Samuel shows us that at least metaphorically, the
blind and the lame resisted David’s entry into Jebus, the city which would
ultimately be named Jerusalem:
“And the king and his men went to
Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to
David, ‘you will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you
off’- thinking ‘David cannot come in here.’
Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of
David.” – II Samuel 5:6-7
When we then look at Jesus entrance, we
see something entirely different.
Instead of being opposed by the blind and the lame, Jesus’ is
enthusiastically welcomed by them. It’s
a fulfillment of a prophecy given by the prophet Isaiah:
“Say to those who have an anxious heart,
‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the
recompense of God He will come and save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall
be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped.” – Isaiah 34:4-5
Jesus entrance into Jerusalem is
something great, even greater than that of his ancestor David. David removed the blind who opposed him as he
entered the city. Jesus removes
blindness itself. It’s a sign that Jesus
is not here to conquer physical territory, or even people, but rather the evil
that manifests itself in sin, death, and disease.
Recognizing who Jesus’ is, Bartimaeus
has a request. While James and John requested
power and prestige from Jesus, Bartimaeus simply asks for health, for the
restoration of his sight. Those who
walked with Jesus every day, James and John, failed to understand who Jesus
was. There is great irony in a blind
man, Bartimaeus, being the one who sees Jesus for who he truly is. Indeed, he is the only person other than
Peter to use a messianic title for Jesus, referring to him as the Son of
David. Once Bartimaeus’ request is
granted, he has to choice to make. How
should he respond? Bartimaeus response
is one motivated by a grateful heart, not by an attempt to earn anything from
Jesus. Unlike the rich young man, he is
able to leave his coins behind and follow Jesus. Maybe it’s because he is sincerely
grateful. Maybe it’s because he is
leaving less behind. I think ultimately
it’s because Bartimaeus recognizes that all gifts come from God, while the rich
young man still thinks of his wealth as being something he has “earned”. Bartimaeus’
physical blindness has had the fortunate side-effect of helping him to
recognize his total dependence on God.
So what can we learn from Bartimaeus? For one, as we just saw, he is aware of his
need for God. How many of us can say
that we have truly accepted our dependence on and need for God? He also persistently calls on Jesus for help,
refusing to be deterred or put off.
Perhaps our level of persistence in prayer is a good way of separating our
needs from our wants. Another important
lesson to learn from Bartimaeus, and one that we often forget, is that gifts
come as signs of God’s grace, not our merit.
James and John on some level think that they have earned places at Jesus’ left and right side, whereas Bartimaeus
knows that the granting of any blessing from God is an act of mercy and
grace. “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
is his plea, and in it he not only recognizes God as merciful, but recognizes
Jesus for who he truly is, the Messiah.
If we learn anything from Bartimaeus, it should be that our eyes are of
no use in gaining knowedge of Jesus’ true identity. As the author of Hebrews states, “faith is
the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews
11:1) Even in his blindness, Bartimaeus
had the ability to see with his heart.
He recognized in Jesus Christ the fulfillment of what he, and Israel,
had always hoped for. This recognition
created in him a deep conviction, a conviction that led him to leave everything
behind and follow the Messiah. May we
all be blessed with the ability to see as this blind man did, with our hearts
rather than with our eyes.
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