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Bartimaeus

To those who are prisoners, those who are caught and bound by circumstances not of their choosing, there is a man in the scriptures I would like you to meet. His name is Bartimaeus.

On the Savior’s final journey to Jerusalem, He passed through Jericho. As He came out with a large group of people, He passed by a man sitting like so much litter on the side of the road. It was the blind beggar, Bartimaeus.

Well, Bartimaes hearing a commotion, asked what is happening. And when he learned that Jesus of Nazareth passed by, hope surged within this man like a shock, and suddenly he became animated and cried out with a loud voice, “…Jesus, thou Son of David have mercy on me.” (Mark 10:47)

Well, those with Jesus rebuke Bartimaeus, and told him to hold his peace. Why did they want to silence him rather than to help him?

Bartimaeus will not be deterred. He only cried out the louder. To his fellows, Bartimaeus was an irritation and an interruption, but to Jesus he was like a crying child. The Savior stopped and commanded him to be brought. Now, suddenly the rest of them care. “…Be of good comfort,” they said, “rise, He calleth thee.” (Mark 10:49)

Bartimaeus then did something interesting; he threw off his garment and went to Jesus, his excitement – who can even imagine? Why does it matter to Mark, the Gospel writer, that he threw off his garment? – Because this was the depth of Bartimaeus’ faith.

Have you ever paid attention to the clothing on a beggar? It’s not usually a fashion statement. The garment, like the man, would not be the latest craze, but rather cast off, tattered, [and] forgotten. For Bartimaeus to cast off his old garment was the same as casting off his old life. He was no longer going to need that.

With earned compassion the Master asked him, “…What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? …” (Mark 10:51)

Well, somehow word of this healer had reached Bartimaeus before Jesus got there. From those windborne seeds faith blossomed, nurtured by the pain of his personal bondage. Blindness was Bartimaes’ prison; sight would be new life.

“…Lord,” he pleaded, “that I might receive my sight.” (Mark 10:51)

“…Go thy way;” Jesus said to him as He touched his eyes, “thy faith hath made thee whole…” (Mark 10:52)

And Bartimaeus could see. Now, free at last to see and to go his own way, Bartimaeus went instead the Master’s way. And what way was that? – The ascending road from Jericho to Jerusalem where the mists of darkness had so blinded the minds and hardened the hearts of its citizens that the Light of the World, Jesus, would die on Calvary’s Hill.

Just as there are none so blind as those who will not see, so too there are none so bound as those who bind themselves. But no prison is ever permanent when there’s faith in the Savior.

If you are that prisoner, have you had enough? If so, cry unto Him for mercy. Be patient in pain until its time, for that pain can purify your soul and prepare your faith. And then, when He visits you, throw off your past like filthy disgusting clothing. Again, remember, agency may have put you in prison, but in Christ no prison is permanent.

Zacchaeus in riches out of a tree, Bartimaeus in rags out of a gutter, set free, that day in Jericho I long to see.