Lesson on faith from the blind beggar

A BLIND MAN named Bartimeus was sitting on the side of the road begging, just outside the city of the Jericho. Any Jew in the times of Jesus would easily remember all the stories in the Old Testament connected with that city—especially the story of the walls crumbling to dust at the sound of the seven trumpets.

Perhaps Bartimeus remembered how God had worked astonishing miracles in Jericho. So, when he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”

Son of David was the title reserved for the Messiah. Bartimeus was ready to declare to the world that he believed in Jesus Christ. It is no small thing to believe. Saint Paul said in the Letter to the Romans: “It is by believing with the heart that you are justified, and by making the declaration with your lips that you are saved.”

MOVED BY FAITH

Bartimeus knew that this moment might be his only chance to get what he wanted from Jesus. So he shouted loud and kept shouting again and again: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” Some people in the crowd were annoyed. They told him to keep quiet. St Mark says that Bartimeus “shouted even louder”.

Jesus was moved by the faith of this blind man. He told his disciples: “Bring him to me.” At this point something amazing happened—even before Jesus worked the miracle. To understand how amazing it was, think of what it would be like if you were blind.

Every day you would make your way from your little hut and find a place by the side of the road. You would hope that some kind soul would give you enough to survive for one more day. Above all, you would cling ferociously to the few possessions that you could call your own, for fear of losing them.

St Mark says that the apostles told the blind man: “‘Courage, get up. He is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and went to Jesus.” If you were blind, would you throw off your cloak? In the midst of that huge crowd of people, wouldn’t that mean risking the loss of the one possession you needed most? That cloak, tossed away like a useless rag, tells the whole story of the great faith of this humble beggar.

Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimeus answered, “That I may see!” Our Lord worked the miracle. One saint commented: “You see yourself so badly lacking in virtue. What a beautiful text for you to say often, like Bartimeus, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!’ He will hear you and come to your aid.”