2021 blog series: exploring the stories of men and women in the New Testament

(#3): BARTIMAEUS

This dear man heard that JESUS would be coming along his road. The same place he sat day after day, falling on the mercy and compassion of others to meet his needs. But on that day he suddenly had one goal – to meet JESUS and to ask Him for help.

Others tried to silence him. They disregarded him as they may have done many times before. But he cried louder. “JESUS, have mercy on me!” He would not be hushed. He believed JESUS could help him and nothing else mattered.

I can almost picture him – every muscle in his body engaged, his voice growing stronger and more determined, his hand reaching through only darkness, stubbornly believing that JESUS would answer. No one else would do.

And He did! JESUS stopped what appeared to be His plan for the day to attend to the appointment that had been arranged all along. Today was the day He would answer Bartimaeus’ cries. He called him to come.

“What do you want Me to do for you?” JESUS asked. He knew Bartimaeus’ deep need, but welcomed him to share the burning in his heart from his own lips. “I want to see!”

Amy Carmichael is quoted saying “the LORD delights to meet the faith of one who looks to Him and says, ‘LORD, you know that I cannot, but I believe You can!’” Our Savior met Bartimaeus in that exact place that day. He was delighted to grant this man his sight. To shine brilliant light into his dark world. More importantly, He touched and transformed his heart, drawing him to trust in the true Messiah and choose to follow Him.

If the LORD asked me the same question today, how might I answer?

What do I want Him to do for me? Do I believe in His ability to work miracles in my life so passionately that I will cry out for His help with a determination that cannot be silenced? Am I bold enough to push beyond discouragement, to reach through darkness, to persist until He answers?

Am I watching to see how He delights to meet my needs, not just practically, but with a Divine touch that draws my heart to trust and follow Him more faithfully?

GOD bless Bartimaeus. He has given me a lot to consider today! His is a touching and thought-provoking story.

What details stand out most to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!!!

Read more here:  Mark 10:46-52, Psalm 146:1-10, Isaiah 42:1-8, Romans 4:3-5

It is so touching to read about Bartimaeus, who received physical and spiritual sight from the Savior!  A life illuminated.  How thrilling!

In Mark 8, the LORD JESUS questions His disciples’ confusion and lack of vision:

“Do you still not understand?  Are your hearts hardened?  Do you have eyes, yet fail to see?  Do you have ears, yet fail to hear?  Do you not have the heart to remember [all He has revealed of who He is and what His power can do?]”

We can relate to their limited understanding and lack of bigger perspective!  What is it that we need the heart to remember?  In what need have we forgotten that we have a Savior who loves us and a Father who desires to meet our needs?  We need only to come to Him and ask!

Maybe we can borrow the words of an oldie but goodie hymn as we pray that He will shine His light in our darkness, open our eyes, tune our ears, and touch our hearts!

Open My Eyes by Clara H. Scott (1841-1897)

Open my eyes that I may see glimpses of truth Thou hast for me.

Place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for Thee, ready, my GOD, Thy will to see.

Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit Divine!

Open my ears that I may hear voices of truth Thou sendest clear,

and while the wave notes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear.

Silently now I wait for Thee, ready, my GOD, Thy will to see.

Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit Divine!

Open my mouth and let me bear gladly the warm truth everywhere.

Open my heart and let me prepare love with Thy children thus to share.

Silently now I wait for Thee, ready, my GOD, Thy will to see.

Open my mouth, illumine me, Spirit Divine!

. . .

follow the links below to read more from the original study in summer 2020 with She Reads Truth and He Reads Truth:

Bartimaeus

Bartimaeus