In our daily devotions, we are looking at the supernatural acts of the Lord Jesus. Today, we come to the healing of blind Bartimaeus:
46Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately, he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road (Luke 18:46-52).
The Cry of the Messiah: Recognizing Jesus as the Son of David
As Jesus was leaving the city of Jericho, a blind man named Bartimaeus sat by the road in a good spot to beg. When he heard the commotion of a large crowd passing by, he asked who it was. He must have heard about Jesus at some point, because when he was told it was Jesus of Nazareth, he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Notice that he did not call Him Jesus of Nazareth. The title Son of David referred to the Messiah (Messiah is the Hebrew word for Christ; it means God’s Anointed One).
Overcoming Obstacles: The Power of Persistent Prayer
Faith and desperation welled up inside him as he called out to Jesus. Some people on the edge of the crowd couldn’t hear the Master’s teaching because of the beggar’s shouts. They tried to silence him and told him to be quiet, but Bartimaeus wouldn’t be stopped.
Defining "Krazō": A Desperate Faith
A different Greek word appears in verse 48 for the second time, translated as “he shouted all the more.” The word used is krazō, meaning to scream or shriek. The tense of the Greek also shows he kept shouting and screaming, refusing to be silenced. The picture is of a man overwhelmed with emotion—desperate and loud. Bartimaeus saw this as his one chance, and he was determined not to let Jesus pass without doing everything he could to have his need fulfilled.
From Darkness to Light: Receiving Spiritual Sight
Bartimaeus’ whole heart was in his approach, and his plea was filled with energy and fervor toward Christ. The ability to call out and remain undistracted by people and things is vital to a prayer life that receives answers from God. Jesus encountered a man in great need and would not pass him by. When Jesus stopped and said, “Call him,” verse 50, the Scripture says he "threw his cloak aside." For a beggar, that cloak was likely his most valuable possession—his bed, his warmth, his security blanket. When Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, he wasn't just moving faster; he was leaving behind his old identity. He didn't wait to see if he was healed before discarding his safety net.
What Do You Want?
Jesus asked a seemingly obvious question to a blind man: "What do you want me to do for you?" (v. 51). Jesus knew Bartimaeus was blind, but He wanted the man to articulate his desire. He honors our specific requests. Spend a moment today being specific with God. Don’t just ask for 'help'—tell Him exactly what you want Him to open your eyes to see."
When Bartimaeus expressed his condition to the Lord, the immediate response was, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you” (v. 42). The blind man's eyes opened to see Jesus, God in human form! Wouldn't that be amazing? One day, our physical eyes will close for the last time, and our spiritual eyes will be opened to behold the same sight of the Lord Jesus Christ. I hope you know Him! We will behold His loveliness and majesty, and all the pain of this life will be gone. What an incredible day that will be! Keith Thomas
Continue Your Journey…
If you found this meditation meaningful, there is so much more to explore about God’s plan in the Gospel of Luke, Study 49, A Blind Beggar Healed, found in the All Studies box on the Home Page.
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