Hope for the blind
In the Gospel of Luke, a blind man cries out. He wants to attract the attention of Jesus and experiences great blessings. On the road from Jericho, the blind beggar Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sits on the roadside. He was one of many who had lost their hope of making a living. They were dependent on the generosity of other people. I guess most of us can barely put ourselves in this situation to really understand what it was like to be Bartimaeus and ask for bread in order to survive?
Jesus passed through Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd. “When Bartimaeus heard them, he inquired what this meant. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. He cried out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (from Lk 18,36-38He immediately understood that Jesus was the Messiah. The symbolism of the story is remarkable. The man was waiting for something to happen. He was blind and could do nothing himself to change his situation. As Jesus walked through his town, the blind man immediately recognized him as the Messiah (the messenger of God) who could heal him of his blindness. So he shouted loudly to draw attention to his plight, so much so that the people in the crowd told him, "Be quiet—stop shouting!" But the resistance only made the man more persistent in his plea. “Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him here.’ They called the blind man and said to him, ‘Take heart, get up; he is calling you.’ So he threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus. Jesus answered him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘Rabbi (Teacher), I want to see.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go, your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” (Mk 10,49-52).
Could it be that you are in the exact same situation as Bartimaeus? Do you realize that you cannot truly see on your own, that you need help? Perhaps you hear the message from others, "Stay calm—Jesus is too busy to deal with you." The message and response of Jesus' disciples and followers should be: "Take heart, get up! He is calling you! I will bring you to him!"
You have found the real life you were looking for, "Jesus your Master!" Jesus not only gives blind Bartimaeus grace and mercy, but also you. He hears your screams and gives you the new perspective to understand who you are.
Bartimaeus is an impressive example of succession. He recognized his own inability, trusted Jesus as the one who could give him God's grace, and, as soon as he could see clearly, followed him as a disciple of Jesus.
by Cliff Neill
