What I Want For Christmas!

⁴⁶ Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and His disciples left town, a large crowd followed Him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. ⁴⁷ When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁸ “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁹ When Jesus heard him, He stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, He’s calling you!” ⁵⁰ Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. ⁵¹ “What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My Rabbi (Master),” the blind man said, “I want to see!” ⁵² And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed (saved) you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road (on the way). Mark 10:46-52 (NLT)

On their way to Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples came to Jericho (Mark 10:46). Jericho was the last major city in the Jordan River valley fifteen miles northeast of Jerusalem. As Jesus and His disciples left Jericho heading to Jerusalem, crowds of people were following Jesus (Mark 10:46; see also Matthew 20:29). Jesus’ popularity and fame had spread into Jericho just as the Gentile areas and included both men and women (see also Matthew 4:25; Mark 3:7-8; Mark 15:40-41; Luke 8:1-4).

Now, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road as Jesus was passing by him (Mark 10:46; see also Luke 18:35). Matthew’s Gospel indicates two blind men were sitting beside the road and does not name Bartimaeus as Mark and Luke’s Gospels (Matthew 20:30). When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was near, he began to shout out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47, TLB; see also Matthew 20:30; Luke 18:36-38). However, the people began to shout at blind Bartimaeus to “Shut up!” (Mark 10:48, TLB; see also Matthew 20:31; Luke 18:39). However, blind Bartimaeus was persistent, shameless, and desperate. Bartimaeus began to shout louder, again and again, “O Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:48, TLB; see also Matthew 20:31; Luke 18:39).

Bartimaeus called Jesus “Son of David,” a title for the Messiah (e.g. see Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5-6). Blind Bartimaeus could see that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah (Christ) predicted by the Old Testament prophets (see also Matthew 1:1; Mark 1:1; John 20:31; see also 2 Samuel 7:5-16). However, the religious leaders who visually witnessed Jesus’ miracles and teachings were blind to Jesus’ identity and refused to recognize Jesus as Messiah. Although Bartimaeus was blind, he saw Jesus’ identity as Messiah of the world. Moreover, Bartimaeus’ cry for mercy revealed he believed Jesus was concerned with bringing God’s Kingdom to all people, including the poor, maimed, lame, powerless, and blind (Luke 4:18-19; see also Isaiah 42:7; Isaiah 58:6; Isaiah 61:1-2).

When Jesus heard blind Bartimaeus’ request, He stopped there in the road and said, “Tell him to come here” (Mark 10:49; see also Matthew 20:32; Luke 18:40). Here Jesus put into practice what He had just taught the disciples about helping and serving others (see Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). Although Jesus was concerned about the coming events in Jerusalem, He revealed love, service, and compassion for others in need (see also Matthew 9:35-36; Matthew 14:14; Matthew 15:32; Matthew 20:34; Mark 1:41; Mark 6:34; Mark 8:2).

Jesus’ disciples called to blind Bartimaeus and said, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He (Jesus) is calling you” (Mark 10:49, NKJV). Bartimaeus threw aside his old coat, jumped up and came to Jesus. Then, Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want (desire) Me to do for you? (Mark 10:51, TLB; see also Matthew 20:32; Luke 18:41). Jesus’ question to Bartimaeus was the same question He had asked James, John, and Salome (see Matthew 20:20-21; Mark 10:36). Bartimaeus said to Jesus, “I want to see!” (Mark 10:51; see also Matthew 20:33; Luke 18:41). Bartimaeus’ request revealed his faith in Jesus’ divinity (Mark 10:51). Jesus said to Bartimaeus, “Your faith has saved and healed you.” (Mark 10:52, MSG; see also Luke 18:42). Matthew’s Gospel indicated that Jesus felt compassion for the blind men and touched their eyes (Matthew 20:34; see also Matthew 9:35-36). However, Mark and Luke’s Gospel indicated that Jesus healed Bartimaeus without touch. In that very instant, Bartimaeus recovered his full sight and followed Jesus down the road on the way to Jerusalem (Mark 10:52; see also Matthew 20:34; Luke 18:43).

Like many others, Jesus rewarded Bartimaeus’ faith in Him with healing (literally salvation) (e.g., see also Matthew 9:22; Mark 5:23, 28, 34; Mark 6:56; Luke 8:48; Luke 17:19). The word for “healed” in Greek also mean “saved,” combining both physical and spiritual dimensions. Jesus always responds to faith and rewards those who genuinely believe in Him with His salvation (healing and wholeness). Luke’s Gospel added that Bartimaeus “followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too” (Luke 18:43, NLT). Bartimaeus went from darkness to light, from begging to following Jesus, and from crying to praising the Lord God.

For this Christmas and every day in the New Year, ask Jesus for salvation – the gift that gives all eternity!

References

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

NLT Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Edwards, James R. The Gospel According to Mark (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2002).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament (Victor Books, 1989).