The Mediterranean sun was growing longer and softer in the late afternoon as a gentle breeze blew through the nearby palm trees cooling down the hot dusty road. The fords of the Jordan River had been passed for the final time and now only the “City of Palms” lay ahead.
The “City of Palms”: The ancient city called Jericho. But it wasn’t the original nor did it occupy the sight of that hamlet. This was a newly constructed city about a half-hours travel to the northwest of the original location. The area possessed a climate tropical in nature and at times grew very hot. It was long known as an oasis because of its fresh water spring, which contributed to its nickname. Here palm trees of various kinds grew alongside sycamores, cypress flowers, and myro-balsamum, which yielded precious oil. Not only was Jericho an oasis but it was also a gathering place for pilgrims on the final leg of their journey to Jerusalem to celebrate the annual Passover feast. Jericho was only fifteen miles from the Holy City. A mere six hours travel by foot. And the main road of travel ran right through town.
Now it was customary at the time, when a well-known teacher was on a journey passing through town that the people would gather around and listen to his teachings. With Passover just a few days away many such teachers were passing through the city and many of the people that gathered about these teachers were pilgrims themselves on the way to Jerusalem; they were the ones with an added advantage. Others however, even though the Law demanded they travel to Jerusalem to attend the festivities, were unable to do so for various reasons. In lieu of this, many of these unfortunate souls would gather along the streets to see some of the famous rabbis and hear their teaching as they journeyed along.
On any particular day as the sun began to peak over the nearby mountains farmers would began driving their animals through the city streets as merchants began setting up shop and children desiring to get an early start could be heard laughing and screaming as they ran trough the streets.
Bartimaeus was awakened by all the early-morning noise of the city. Inside his makeshift living quarters he clutched his ever-present coat, throwing it around his shoulders as he struggled to his feet. With matted hair and unshaven face, this unkempt, blind beggar, began making his way to “beggars row” on the outskirts of town.
As he crept along the city streets, he stopped only long enough to beg for a small portion of stale bread from a sympathetic shopkeeper. With gift in hand he continued on his journey through the long city streets. As he walked along, most of the townsfolk that caught sight of him quickly diverted their attention in another direction. Beggars were considered a public nuisance.
Bartimaeus had always lived a dreadful life. From the very beginning he had two strikes against him. First there was the fact that he hardly had his own identity. The prefix” Bar” means “son of” and “Timaeus” means the “blind kid.” So he was merely identified as the blind son of another. Secondly, he experienced very little joy in life, little success, or peace. His daily goal was mere survival. But surviving really wasn’t living. He survived on charity, on people’s leftovers. Most of which was granted by those pious individuals who were familiar with God’s word: “Prayer and fasting is good, but better than both is almsgiving with righteousness…for almsgiving saves from death and purges away every sin. Those who give alms will enjoy a full life” (Tobit 12:8-9; cf. 4:8-11; 14:10-11; Sirach 3:30; 7:10; 29:12).
When he finally reached his spot on “beggar’s row,” Bartimaus sat down in his usual spot amongst his friends and fellow outcasts. On a normal day their spirits hung low, but today there was a reason to be a little more cheerful; they knew that Passover was coming and the crowds in the streets would be much larger than usual. So there was hope that this day would be more profitable than the others.
As the streets began to line with people, Bartimaeus began to think that perhaps this would be a red-letter day. But unbeknownst to him down the long dusty road trod the most famous Rabbi of all—Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus was traveling with his motley band of twelve apostles, followed by a huge crowd. Their journey had been long; they were hot and sweaty and dust from the road clung to their wet skin. But with the afternoon sun fading, relief from the day’s heat was on its way. There was also relief in store for Bartimaeus also. This poor blind beggar had lived a life without any visual contact with his environment and he had sat in the hot, blazing sun all his life, but today relief from life’s torments would finally come.
Anticipation hung heavily in the air as the burgeoning crowd began to approach the city. The mood was festive; many no doubt were quite hopeful that they would encounter the great healer and teacher from Nazareth. One man in particular began to circulate among the people in hopes of catching a glimpse of this famous rabbi. He was a rich man, the chief tax collector of the city. His name was Zacchaeus.
As Zacchaeus looked for a vantage point, Bartimaeus sat along the road unable to see, but he heard the sounds of young children running ahead of the crowd, laughing, yelling, and playing as young children do. Then slowly, a rising crescendo of voices and laughter accompanied some playing reeds and flutes were heard. With his sense of hearing being keenly developed due to the lack of his sight, Bartimaeus could tell that something or someone had caused a mammoth crowd to assemble, a much larger crowd than usual.
Desiring to know who or what was causing all the commotion, he turned to a fellow beggar and asked, “Hey, what’s all the commotion about?” His companion could no more get a grip on things as he could, so he replied in a puzzled tone of voice, “I don’t know.” Determined to have the inquiries answered they turned to the passing crowd, “What’s all the commotion?”
The “City of Palms”: The ancient city called Jericho. But it wasn’t the original nor did it occupy the sight of that hamlet. This was a newly constructed city about a half-hours travel to the northwest of the original location. The area possessed a climate tropical in nature and at times grew very hot. It was long known as an oasis because of its fresh water spring, which contributed to its nickname. Here palm trees of various kinds grew alongside sycamores, cypress flowers, and myro-balsamum, which yielded precious oil. Not only was Jericho an oasis but it was also a gathering place for pilgrims on the final leg of their journey to Jerusalem to celebrate the annual Passover feast. Jericho was only fifteen miles from the Holy City. A mere six hours travel by foot. And the main road of travel ran right through town.
Now it was customary at the time, when a well-known teacher was on a journey passing through town that the people would gather around and listen to his teachings. With Passover just a few days away many such teachers were passing through the city and many of the people that gathered about these teachers were pilgrims themselves on the way to Jerusalem; they were the ones with an added advantage. Others however, even though the Law demanded they travel to Jerusalem to attend the festivities, were unable to do so for various reasons. In lieu of this, many of these unfortunate souls would gather along the streets to see some of the famous rabbis and hear their teaching as they journeyed along.
On any particular day as the sun began to peak over the nearby mountains farmers would began driving their animals through the city streets as merchants began setting up shop and children desiring to get an early start could be heard laughing and screaming as they ran trough the streets.
Bartimaeus was awakened by all the early-morning noise of the city. Inside his makeshift living quarters he clutched his ever-present coat, throwing it around his shoulders as he struggled to his feet. With matted hair and unshaven face, this unkempt, blind beggar, began making his way to “beggars row” on the outskirts of town.
As he crept along the city streets, he stopped only long enough to beg for a small portion of stale bread from a sympathetic shopkeeper. With gift in hand he continued on his journey through the long city streets. As he walked along, most of the townsfolk that caught sight of him quickly diverted their attention in another direction. Beggars were considered a public nuisance.
Bartimaeus had always lived a dreadful life. From the very beginning he had two strikes against him. First there was the fact that he hardly had his own identity. The prefix” Bar” means “son of” and “Timaeus” means the “blind kid.” So he was merely identified as the blind son of another. Secondly, he experienced very little joy in life, little success, or peace. His daily goal was mere survival. But surviving really wasn’t living. He survived on charity, on people’s leftovers. Most of which was granted by those pious individuals who were familiar with God’s word: “Prayer and fasting is good, but better than both is almsgiving with righteousness…for almsgiving saves from death and purges away every sin. Those who give alms will enjoy a full life” (Tobit 12:8-9; cf. 4:8-11; 14:10-11; Sirach 3:30; 7:10; 29:12).
When he finally reached his spot on “beggar’s row,” Bartimaus sat down in his usual spot amongst his friends and fellow outcasts. On a normal day their spirits hung low, but today there was a reason to be a little more cheerful; they knew that Passover was coming and the crowds in the streets would be much larger than usual. So there was hope that this day would be more profitable than the others.
As the streets began to line with people, Bartimaeus began to think that perhaps this would be a red-letter day. But unbeknownst to him down the long dusty road trod the most famous Rabbi of all—Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus was traveling with his motley band of twelve apostles, followed by a huge crowd. Their journey had been long; they were hot and sweaty and dust from the road clung to their wet skin. But with the afternoon sun fading, relief from the day’s heat was on its way. There was also relief in store for Bartimaeus also. This poor blind beggar had lived a life without any visual contact with his environment and he had sat in the hot, blazing sun all his life, but today relief from life’s torments would finally come.
Anticipation hung heavily in the air as the burgeoning crowd began to approach the city. The mood was festive; many no doubt were quite hopeful that they would encounter the great healer and teacher from Nazareth. One man in particular began to circulate among the people in hopes of catching a glimpse of this famous rabbi. He was a rich man, the chief tax collector of the city. His name was Zacchaeus.
As Zacchaeus looked for a vantage point, Bartimaeus sat along the road unable to see, but he heard the sounds of young children running ahead of the crowd, laughing, yelling, and playing as young children do. Then slowly, a rising crescendo of voices and laughter accompanied some playing reeds and flutes were heard. With his sense of hearing being keenly developed due to the lack of his sight, Bartimaeus could tell that something or someone had caused a mammoth crowd to assemble, a much larger crowd than usual.
Desiring to know who or what was causing all the commotion, he turned to a fellow beggar and asked, “Hey, what’s all the commotion about?” His companion could no more get a grip on things as he could, so he replied in a puzzled tone of voice, “I don’t know.” Determined to have the inquiries answered they turned to the passing crowd, “What’s all the commotion?”
“It’s Jesus of Nazareth. He’s coming down the road.” A passer-by informed them. “You mean the great rabbi? The fellow they claim can heal the sick and blind?” Bartimaeus excitedly asked. “That’s the one,” came the reply, “and I’m not going to miss seeing him for anything.” With that the unknown stranger was off and running.
Bartimaeus had been desperately looking for Jesus. So as the crowd grew closer and closer, excitement filled his heart. “I can’t believe it,” shouted Bartimaeus to his friend. “This could be the greatest day of my life if I can only get his attention.”
“Hey Bart there he is, I can see him!” exclaimed his companion. “But how are you ever going to get his attention?”
“I don’t know, but this is it,” stated Bartimaeus. “I may never get another chance to come in contact with Jesus again. I want to be healed.” So throwing dignity and caution to the wind Bartimaeus yelled at the top of his voice, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
“Be silent beggar!” came a retort from the crowd. “You’re making too much noise. And besides there’s so many people here you don’t stand a chance on seeing Jesus. So just relax and keep quite!” But Bartimaeus was more determined now than ever to get Jesus’ attention. “What do they know?” he thought to himself. He knew he couldn’t see, but he could yell louder.
Did you catch the irony in all this? These were religious people on their way to religious festival who were listening to Jesus teach about the kingdom of God. Here were people listening to Jesus and taking it all in, they were in the right place, listening to the right thing, but completely missed the point! When it came to helping out a blind man, they told him to shut up. They basically said to him, “We’re on our way to the Holy City; we have no time for a blind beggar! Don’t bother the Master, you old beggar man. He’s got more important things to do than fool with you!”
Some folks are known to pat themselves on the back because they attend Mass on Sunday. Now, I’m glad they attend weekly Mass, but just attending Mass on Sunday doesn’t matter a whole lot if what you or I do afterwards doesn’t reflect the fact that we have just met with Jesus. Again, here were people traveling with Jesus, listening and taking in all His teachings, but when it came to helping out a blind man they told him to shut up! They failed to seize a golden opportunity that fairly smacked them in the face. They were like so many in the Church today, interested in listening but woefully short when it comes to obedience. They told Bartimaeus that Jesus had no time for him. But that’s where they were wrong, dead wrong! Jesus was far more concerned with the hurting and the needy than his day-planner, schedule or his persona.
Bartimaeus would not remain silent; you could hear his voice rise above the noise of the crowd. It rang out like a great clarion call. “Jesus, O Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Suddenly the crowd stopped, because Jesus had stopped. A great hush fell over the crowd. Throughout his ministry winds and waves couldn’t stop him nor could angry mobs or crowds of people. But a lone cry from a blind beggar could. Jesus with his great heart of compassion demanded that Bartimaeus be brought before him.
“Be silent now,” came a soothing voice. “Rise to you feet beggar and come, Jesus is asking for you.”
Jesus, on his way to becoming the Savior of the world, stops to become the servant of a blind beggar! Notice the complete difference between Jesus’ attitude and that of the people. The fickle crowd had been saying, “Shut up!” But now their refrain changes as they say effectively, “Cheer up, take courage.” How many times had Bartimaeus heard that before with no real reason to cheer up, offered merely as a panacea in the place of really offering help. But this time there was a real reason to cheer up, to take courage, for someone was there who could make a real difference!
The Lord always stands still at the cry of those who call Him. To Him each and every soul is valuable, regardless of color, race, state of origin, or position. He doesn’t look at names or titles, but at the heart of the seeker. All of humanity is in need of Him—without exception. And until they meet Him they are blind in need of sight. They may not be physically blind but they are spiritually blind. Only the Lord can give the light of life. Only through an encounter, a divine appointment with Him can a soul receive its sight. And only His dwelling in a man’s heart can make it alive and bright.
Bartimaeus was told that the Master was calling, and when Jesus calls, one dares not stay where they are. Up to his feet he leapt, and following as best he could the sound of the voice, he made his way to Jesus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. Bartimaeus responded humbly without hesitation, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”
Immediately Bartimaeus went from total darkness to unimpaired vision. Why? Because God responds to faith! Jesus didn’t have to ask what Bartimaeus wanted because it was obvious. He asked him to articulate the words of faith, words that acknowledged why Bartimaeus had called for Jesus in the first place. Just think, the very first thing Bartimaeus saw with his new found vision was the face of Jesus. But the story doesn’t end here; from this moment on Bartimaeus tossed his old cloak behind, the cloak that signified darkness and despair, and began to follow the Master. When Jesus changes us, we don’t need the old things anymore. They no longer have any value.
The healing of Bartimaeus is intended to encourage all sinners throughout the ages. Just as Jesus restored sight to this poor wretch, so He is able and willing to open the blind eyes of our souls. But Jesus doesn’t heal all the spiritually blind; only those that desire to receive their sight and cry out to Him. Think about it! When Jesus passes by you, you can stay trapped in your thoughts, reasoning and earthly desires. You can even think about it for as long as you want and doubt if you desire. But if you so choose my friend, you will stay blind forever! If you do not cry out to the Lord your soul will never receive its sight; not only that, but you will never be a partaker in the eternal life to come.
After receiving his sight Bartimaeus joined the procession making its way through Jericho and on to Jerusalem. Considering what it must have been like to have the face of Jesus be the first thing one has ever seen, consider now the things that Bartimaeus would see a few days later as his gentle Healer was scourged, mocked, and crucified.
With the recorded healing of Bartimaeus complete, a question comes to mind. Why do we know his name? Didn’t Jesus heal a number of blind, deaf, and crippled people? Why does this man stand out? It’s hard to know definitely, but tradition holds that Bartimaeus’ name is presented while others are lost due to the fact that he became a leader in the early Church. The faith that caused this man to call out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” was the faith that sustained him, having been delivered by the mercy for which he cried, through the most trying of times, a faith that was bolstered by the event of the resurrection!
