Day after day he sat on the busiest thoroughfare he could find–the road outside of Jericho leading toward Jerusalem. Crowds meant revenue for the blind beggar and today the crowd was thick. The atmosphere intense. Then he heard that name. Turning his head he heard it again. Jesus . . . . Jesus.
He’s here. Jesus is here. This is my chance.
“Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me!”
“Shhhh! Hush Bartimaeus!”
“Thou son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stopped and turned towards him. “Bartimaeus, come here.”
And he, casting away his garment, rose and came to Jesus. Mark 10:50
Bartimaeus threw his garment, his security, his means of shade in the daytime and his blanket of warmth at night. Some scholars say blind beggars wore a certain type of outer cloak for identification so donors would know their disablity. If this is true, then Bartimaeus discarded his self-sufficiency, his tradition and his past when he cast his garment.
Oh to be like Bartimaeus–willing to lay everything aside! Willing to not let anything or anyone keep me from coming to Jesus.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole.
Mark 10:51-52a
Not only were Bartimaeus’ physical eyes opened that day but his spiritual eyes were opened as well. After his miracle he could have gone in any direction, yet he chose to follow Jesus–the lifestyle changer.
And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
Mark 10: 52
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