In our daily devotions, we look at the supernatural acts of the Lord Jesus. Today, we look at the healing of blind Bartimaeus:
46Then 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. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50Throwing 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 (Luke 18:46-52).
As Jesus was leaving the city of Jericho, a blind man, Bartimaeus, was sitting beside the road at a good place to beg. When he heard the commotion of a large band of people passing by, he inquired who it was. He must have heard testimony about Jesus at some time because when he was told it was Jesus of Nazareth, his response was to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Notice that he did not call him Jesus of Nazareth. Son of David was a title for the Messiah (Messiah is the Hebrew word for Christ; it means God’s Anointed One).
Faith and desperation rose within him as he shouted out to Jesus. Some on the outskirts of the crowd could not hear the Master teach over the beggar’s shouting. They rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but they could not keep Bartimaeus quiet. A different Greek word is used the second time in verse 48. It is translated as "he shouted all the more.” The term used is krazō, which means to scream or shriek.[1] Also, the tense of the original Greek language reveals that he kept shouting and screaming. He would not shut up! The picture we get is of a man going crazy with emotion. There is desperation behind Bartimaeus’ voice. Bartimaeus had this one opportunity, and he would not let Jesus go by without doing all in his power to get his need met.
Bartimaeus’ heart was in his approach and plea filled with energy or fervency toward Christ. The ability to call and not be put off by distractions, people, and things is vital in a prayer life that gets answers from God. Jesus found a man in great need, and He would not pass by. When Bartimaeus voiced his condition to the Lord, the immediate response was: “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you” (v. 42). The blind man's eyes opened to see Jesus, God in the flesh! Wouldn't that be awesome? One day, our eyes of flesh will close for the last time, and spiritual eyes will open to the same sight of the Lord Jesus Christ. I hope you know Him! We will gaze on His loveliness and majesty, and all the pain of this life will be gone. What an incredible day that will be! Keith Thomas
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Taken from the complete study in the Gospel of Luke, Study 49, A Blind Beggar Healed, found in the All Studies box on the Home Page.
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