Jesus Revealed

Mark 10:46-52

⁴⁶ Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. ⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁸ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁹ Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” ⁵⁰ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

⁵¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

⁵² “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Jesus is on his approach to Jerusalem when he will enter as King on Palm Sunday (Mark 11), to celebrate Passover. Previously, Jesus has not wanted to declare himself or have others declare him Messiah, instead using the term “Son of Man”.

However here we read of Bartimeus, a beggar, declaring Jesus is “Son of David.” He is speaking out the prophecies of Isaiah 11which tells of the promised Messiah from the “stump of Jesse.” Bartimeus, a beggar with a name, not a beggar lost to time. To whom was given knowledge and faith. In preparation for Jesus entering Jerusalem, he calls him by his royal linage. Is this why Jesus called him to him?

Again, we see Jesus noticing the marginalised, the forgotten, the little person. The person everyone else was telling to be quiet is noticed by Jesus and is called. He fulfills Isaiah 11 v 4 where he shows “righteousness to the needy and justice for the poor.”

What a special moment for Bartimeus. His response is wonderful!

His life is changed – he is granted precious sight, and follows Jesus.

The faith Jesus refers to is in Jesus’ authority to heal – which he recognises is from God. Who else in the crowd that day had their faith strengthened and restored by Jesus’ act of healing Bartimeus?

The Lord calls me in many ways by his Spirit. He notices me, he wants to have a relationship with me. And he is always merciful. I want to share that today and strengthen my own and someone else’s faith.

Dear Lord Jesus, you do nothing by chance or haphazardly. You see my faith and know where I falter, where I do not cry out to you but stew in my troubles, in my “blindness.” You truly are the Son of David, our saviour, who I put my faith in today, every day. Amen

Written by Claire Moore