The Miracles of Jesus
Lent – March 25, 2024
Jesus restores the sight of Bartimaeus in Jericho
Mark 10:46-52; Jeremiah 23:5-6
In 1995, a Christian music group called The KRY released the song “Blind Man” (Show Me the Way).
Below is the first verse and chorus:
“The blind man stood by the road, and he cried
He cried, oh, oh, oh,
Show me the way
The way to go home.”
In just a few lines, “The Kry” communicated the essence of today’s devotion.
*************************The Point*********************
Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus
“And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 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!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.”
Mark 10:46-52
This miracle doesn’t seem much different than any of the others Jesus had performed. But there are one or two points you could easily miss.
Bartimaeus was the first person to be healed by Jesus and to address Him as the ‘Son of David. ‘ Those who knew their Old Testament prophecies understood this title as the title given to the Messiah, the savior of the world.
Jeremiah 23:5-6 is one of the places in the Old Testament where you find a reference to the Messiah coming from the line of David.
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days, Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’
Jeremiah 23:5-6
When Jesus healed Bartimaeus, He said:
“Go your way; your faith has made you well.”
He knew that Bartimaeus understood that He (Jesus) was the promised Messiah. Bartimaeus’ faith in Jesus and who He was allowed him to be healed.
Finally, the last statement of this passage tells us even more about what Bartimaeus was.
“And immediately, he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.”
Bartimaeus followed Jesus. The passage says that after he received his sight, he followed Jesus as a Christian. The last two words, the way, indicate Bartimaeus’ beliefs and faith.
“The Way” was what modern-day Christianity was called 2000 years ago. Jesus had healed Bartimaeus, and because of his faith, as the song says, He showed him the way home.
Dear Jesus. You have given me so many blessings, yet there are times when my faith is weak. Please help me to be more like Bartimaeus. He had a robust and unwavering faith. Even in His blindness, he saw that you are the way, the truth, and the light. Amen.
joegministries.com 