Steven A. Bush - March 3, 2013
“Bartimaeus Meets The Great Ophthalmologist
Jesus, bound for Jerusalem by way of Jericho, encounters a blind man begging along side of the road. Mark's gospel tells us his name is Bartimaeus. The fifteen mile jaunt from Jericho to Jerusalem is well traveled by pilgrims sojourning to Jewish festivals. This can be a boon for disabled beggars who have no other means of earning a living. As Jesus passes by, headed to Calvary as our Passover Lamb, Bartimaeus cries out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Though rebuked, he cries all the louder, recognizing the Messiah while others only saw a Galilean rabbi from Nazareth. Jesus of course heals Bartimaeus, blessing him with something far greater than 20/20 vision. But Amazingly, even before his sight was restored, Bartimaeus saw more clearly who Jesus was than all the Jewish leaders who had witnessed His miracles. May all our eyes be opened to who Jesus truly is!