This is the story of a poor, blind beggar. He sat beside the highway near a city which Jesus passed through on His way to Jerusalem. His name was Bartimeus, which meant “blind son,” so he must have been blind when he was born. He was very poor, or he would not have sat beside the road to beg.
This man seems to have heard before about Jesus and the great things He had done, and he believed Jesus could cure his blindness. He also believed that Jesus was the King to come from the family of King David, as promised in the Scriptures. When he learned that Jesus was then passing along the highway, he began to call to Him, saying, “Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”
There was a crowd on the highway, and persons near the blind man tried to stop him from calling. But Bartimeus was so anxious to have his sight and so sure Jesus could help him that he called out even more.
The Master’s Call
Jesus heard his cries and stopped and said he should be brought to Him. Then the people near the blind man told him, “Be of good comfort, rise; He calleth thee.”
The poor man did not wait to obey. He threw aside his cloak, to go more quickly, and came, or was led, to Jesus.
Jesus kindly asked what He could do for him. Jesus knew what the blind man needed, but it seemed He wanted people to tell Him their needs. When Bartimeus heard the voice of Jesus, he knew this One, who would be King, was the Lord, and he answered, “Lord, that I might receive my sight.”
Jesus caused him to see and told him that he could go his way. But the man did not go his own way; he followed Jesus on His way to Jerusalem.
We need the mercy of the Lord, His pity and power, as much as the poor, blind man. He could not give himself sight; we cannot save our souls from sin. There were some things the blind man could do: He called, he rose and came to Jesus, he asked for mercy, and he confessed Jesus to be his Lord.
The Lord’s Call to All
We must do the same, must call or want His mercy, must rise and “come” to Him (believe His call), and must confess Him as our Lord, the One with all power and right over us.
You may think that He has not called you to come, but the last chapter of the Bible gives His call to everyone. It is, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)). “Rise; He calleth” you.
No more was told of Bartimeus, but when he went on with Jesus, he would learn that Jesus was refused as King. Jesus again told the disciples He would be King, but first He would be cruelly treated. So they were afraid to go on, but “Jesus went before,” and they followed Him (vs. 32). He kept on as the obedient, holy Servant for God, all the time doing good to the people. He wanted the disciples to do good and serve one another, and He said, “Even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister [serve], and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:4545For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)).
Further Meditation
1. Why do we tell the Lord our needs in prayer when He already knows all about them?
2. How can we respond to God’s call if we are “without strength”?
3. For in-depth help on this Gospel, you might find An Exposition of the Gospel of Mark by W. Kelly a challenging but helpful book.