Bartimaeus Could See By Faith

By Reverend Michael Farias

Most of the recipients of Jesus’ miracles were not mentioned by name. There is the woman with the issue of blood found in Matthew 9, and the ten lepers found in Luke 17, and the man at the pool of Bethesda in John 5.  None of them are mentioned by name, and there are many others too, but one of the exceptions is Bartimaeus.  He is a beggar known as blind Bartimaeus, and he is also known for his faith.

I want to point out a few observations about Bartimaeus prior to his encounter with Jesus.

Let’s pick up the story in Mark chapter 10. Now they came to Jericho. As He (Jesus) went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging.  And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Mark 10:46-47

The first thing I want you to see is that even before Bartimaeus met Him, he believed in who Jesus was.  He called Jesus, “Son of David.”  This is a direct reference to Jesus as the promised savior of Israel, the Messiah.  The knowledge of Jesus as the Messiah was not yet revealed to the general public.  Even the closest followers of Jesus did not yet know that he was the promised Messiah, even though they had witnessed miracles, had traveled with him, and had heard him speak and teach.  Bartimaeus had none of those advantages, yet he believed in Jesus.  How did he do it?  How did he believe? He did it by faith.

The next thing I want you to see is that blind Bartimaeus understood how to connect with Jesus.  He somehow knew that the way to become affiliated with Jesus was to call out to him.  As soon as Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was near, he cried out for mercy from the Lord.  How did he know how to do this?  How did he know the proper methodology?  I submit to you; He knew by faith.

What a wonderful day for Bartimaeus!  Not only was Jesus passing by where he sat begging, but after calling out to Him, Jesus stopped in his tracks and called for Bartimaeus to come.  So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” Mark 10:49.

I love this.  “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”   What an exciting moment in one’s life.  That moment and message has been given to countless millions down through the years.  Any time Jesus calls you out and says rise, it is reason to be of good cheer.  Bartimaeus responded appropriately.  And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. Mark 10:50  

How did Bartimaeus get the courage to rise up from his customary position in life, cast aside his coat that may well have been his only piece of comfort in his beggar life, and agree to an encounter with Jesus?  He did it by faith.

Lastly, I’d like you to see that Bartimaeus came to Jesus with a request.  Bartimaeus had an ask.  So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”  The blind man said to Him, “Teacher, that I may receive my sight.”  Mark 10:50-51

Somehow he knew the process.  Somehow he knew that his future security was not in some old coat.  Somehow he knew that he could ask the impossible.  Somehow he knew that today was going to be different, that today was going to be the beginning of a whole new way to do life.  How did he know all this?  He knew by faith.

Bartimaeus made the greatest ask of his life and received his miracle. Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. Mark 10:52

What is it you want or need from the Lord today?  How will you receive what it is you need or want?  Can you believe?  Do you have faith?

Where does one get the kind of faith that Bartimaeus demonstrated?  Romans 12:3 tells us that God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  Faith has already been distributed to you by God.  There was this measure of faith that was within Bartimaeus that propelled him to believe for a life-changing miracle.  It all happened by faith.  What miracle could be waiting for you?