Bartimaeus

Bartimaeus, a blind beggar…was sitting by the roadside. (Mark 10:46 ESV)

Stories are extremely powerful aren’t they?

They make us laugh, cry, teach us lessons and even influence how we behave.

The gospel writers didn’t just tell us who Jesus is – they told us stories about what he did and who he encountered, because there is so much to learn from them.

This is true of the story of Bartimaeus.

What was it he knew?

First he knew his need. He didn’t try to hide it away but ‘began to cry out’ (v.47). It forces me to ask, ‘am I ready to face my neediness and ask for help?’

We all have needs which only the Saviour can solve. Bartimaeus’ need was obvious, but for many of us our neediness can be hidden. We often think that as Christians we should have it all together. But that isn’t the case; we have areas of our lives for which we need to cry out for the Saviour’s help. Being open with his need was the starting point for Jesus to do a great thing for him.

Bartimaeus knew who could help him: He calls Jesus, ‘Son of David’ (v.47), a name for the Messiah. Maybe he knew what Isaiah 35:5 said – that when the Messiah comes the eyes of the blind will be opened?

Bartimaeus knew that he mattered. He doesn’t listen to the voices which tell him that he isn’t worth bothering the teacher about. (v.48) He will not be silenced. He knows that he is worth fighting for. And so he shouts “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

And Jesus thinks he’s worth it because he stops to help him. You are worth fighting for. You are loved by a Saviour who will stop when he hears your cry.

Bartimaeus knew what didn’t matter. Interestingly in the story he leaves his cloak behind. (v.50) Perhaps he didn’t have much and his cloak was very valuable to him, but he didn’t allow anything to delay him in getting to Jesus.

It forces me to ask, ‘what are the things that don’t really matter in my life, things that I attach too much value to? What are the things I need to let go because other things are so much more important?’

Bartimaeus knew where he wanted to go. After he has been healed by Jesus he follows him along the way. (v.52) He wanted to walk with Jesus and be a part of his story, wherever it took him.

And that is us as well.

All of us are Bartimaeus; blind and in need of the Saviour. All of us are worth the Saviour stopping for in order to heal us. All of us are on the road with Jesus; he will not leave us as we walk with him.

Let’s lay aside what’s unimportant to follow him on his journey.

Have a good week walking with Jesus.

Pastor Barry