"But to this one I will look,
to him who is humble and contrite of spirit..."
Isaiah 66:2
Bartimaeus sat by the roadside, his thin fingers reaching out, his voice calling out for anyone who would listen, who would take pity and give him a morsel to eat, or perhaps even a coin. Bartimaeus was blind and the blind were considered outcasts and under the judgment of God. They were alienated and ostracized. They were looked upon with disdain. It was springtime and he and a blind friend were on the outskirts of Jericho, seeking alms.
Jericho was a magnificent place, a garden - filled with palm trees and all different kinds of luscious fruit trees. All were in bloom and the fig trees were starting to put out their leaves. Fed by natural springs, Jericho was an oasis in the middle of the desert. Because of the availability of water, many people called Jericho home. Bartimaeus survived by daily taking his usual spot under one of Jericho's palms, begging as the people rushed about their busy lives. Maybe today, just maybe, someone would toss him some bread before the sun reached it's zenith. His stomach ached with hunger. Maybe today the group of boys that took such great pleasure in taunting him and his friend would leave them alone. Yes, breakfast without being mocked would make it a good morning.
Voices and movement began to fill the desert air. Lots and lots of voices. A crowd was headed Bartimaeus' way. His hope for a meal began to soar as did his curiosity at all the commotion. This was out of the ordinary. This was a massive, excited crowd.
"Look, there He is..."
"I want to see Him, Abba, put me on your shoulders!"
"This is the Man who has power over demons and raises the dead!"
"Yes, I heard about Lazarus too!"
Bartimaeus heard all the voices, clearly. He didn't need to strain his ears. His hearing was his keenest sense now.
"What is going on? Who do you see?!" "Tell me!" Bartimaeus called out...
"Jesus of Nazareth is here!"
Bartimaeus' mind began to race and he thought his heart would pound right out of his chest.
"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" "Please, Jesus, have mercy on me!" Bartimaeus cried out.
"Be quiet you blind fool."
Many ordered the same command. "Yes, stop shouting. Leave Him alone. We will not hear what He might say with you clamoring on!"
Bartimaeus just got louder, he practically screamed, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
And Jesus stopped. He turned and looked towards Bartimaeus and then He spoke, "Bring him to me."
Bartimaeus felt his arms being lifted. Then his entire body was pulled up and he sensed the crowd parting as he was led forward.
"What do you want Me to do for you?" The voice was so kind and tender. Bartimaeus was not used to such gentleness and tenderness.
The Son of God was not looking for information. He was giving Bartimaeus the opportunity to express his faith and articulate his need. Bartimaeus knew who Jesus was - the Messiah, the Savior of Israel who would come through David's line. Jesus was the only One who could do anything about his condition. Yes, he knew he was under condemnation, and he deserved death. The mockers were right. He was a sinner and this Man who called him to Himself was pure and spotless. Jesus was Almighty, Holy God. No mocking, scornful crowd would stop Bartimaeus from getting to the only One who could meet his need. Jesus was the Only Person who could take him from darkness and bring him into the light.
"Lord, I desire to see again."
Jesus, His heart filled with compassion for this one who sought mercy, reached out, His fingertips gently touched Bartimaeus' eyes and immediately the Wonderful Voice became the Wonderful Face.
"Go, your faith has made you well."
Bartimaeus' heart had seen the light before his eyes ever saw the light. His heart had seen Jesus before his eyes ever saw Jesus. Now, he knew the mercy and the healing and the love of God had to come him.
Trembling, thankful, his heart bursting with joy, Bartimaeus began praising God. Keeping his gaze fixed on His Savior, he followed Jesus, worshiping and rejoicing in his gracious Lord.
Jericho was a magnificent place, a garden - filled with palm trees and all different kinds of luscious fruit trees. All were in bloom and the fig trees were starting to put out their leaves. Fed by natural springs, Jericho was an oasis in the middle of the desert. Because of the availability of water, many people called Jericho home. Bartimaeus survived by daily taking his usual spot under one of Jericho's palms, begging as the people rushed about their busy lives. Maybe today, just maybe, someone would toss him some bread before the sun reached it's zenith. His stomach ached with hunger. Maybe today the group of boys that took such great pleasure in taunting him and his friend would leave them alone. Yes, breakfast without being mocked would make it a good morning.
Voices and movement began to fill the desert air. Lots and lots of voices. A crowd was headed Bartimaeus' way. His hope for a meal began to soar as did his curiosity at all the commotion. This was out of the ordinary. This was a massive, excited crowd.
"Look, there He is..."
"I want to see Him, Abba, put me on your shoulders!"
"This is the Man who has power over demons and raises the dead!"
"Yes, I heard about Lazarus too!"
Bartimaeus heard all the voices, clearly. He didn't need to strain his ears. His hearing was his keenest sense now.
"What is going on? Who do you see?!" "Tell me!" Bartimaeus called out...
"Jesus of Nazareth is here!"
Bartimaeus' mind began to race and he thought his heart would pound right out of his chest.
"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" "Please, Jesus, have mercy on me!" Bartimaeus cried out.
"Be quiet you blind fool."
Many ordered the same command. "Yes, stop shouting. Leave Him alone. We will not hear what He might say with you clamoring on!"
Bartimaeus just got louder, he practically screamed, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
And Jesus stopped. He turned and looked towards Bartimaeus and then He spoke, "Bring him to me."
Bartimaeus felt his arms being lifted. Then his entire body was pulled up and he sensed the crowd parting as he was led forward.
"What do you want Me to do for you?" The voice was so kind and tender. Bartimaeus was not used to such gentleness and tenderness.
The Son of God was not looking for information. He was giving Bartimaeus the opportunity to express his faith and articulate his need. Bartimaeus knew who Jesus was - the Messiah, the Savior of Israel who would come through David's line. Jesus was the only One who could do anything about his condition. Yes, he knew he was under condemnation, and he deserved death. The mockers were right. He was a sinner and this Man who called him to Himself was pure and spotless. Jesus was Almighty, Holy God. No mocking, scornful crowd would stop Bartimaeus from getting to the only One who could meet his need. Jesus was the Only Person who could take him from darkness and bring him into the light.
"Lord, I desire to see again."
Jesus, His heart filled with compassion for this one who sought mercy, reached out, His fingertips gently touched Bartimaeus' eyes and immediately the Wonderful Voice became the Wonderful Face.
"Go, your faith has made you well."
Bartimaeus' heart had seen the light before his eyes ever saw the light. His heart had seen Jesus before his eyes ever saw Jesus. Now, he knew the mercy and the healing and the love of God had to come him.
Trembling, thankful, his heart bursting with joy, Bartimaeus began praising God. Keeping his gaze fixed on His Savior, he followed Jesus, worshiping and rejoicing in his gracious Lord.
***
The account of Bartimaeus' conversion and healing is found in three different passages:
Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43
It truly is the story of God's irresistible grace in the life of Bartimaeus. I did not include all the elements in the different accounts. I would encourage you to read them sometime on your own. Humility does not always manifest itself quietly and when God draws, we will not care what anyone thinks to get to Jesus. Christ is all...
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