Bartimaeus was a blind man. He was poor, and his main source of income was from begging. Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was in his city, and as Jesus was leaving, Bartimaeus knew that this was his only chance to get healed.
He had heard many wonderful things about Jesus, His teachings and His ability to heal the blind. With this same desperation, Bartimaeus cried out to get the attention of Jesus. He firmly believes that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
That meant that they needed faith that as they left Jesus to go see the priest, that they would be healed. Jesus did not heal them first. He told them to go see the priest while they still had leprosy. In the story, only one of the 10 comes back to thank Jesus. Interestingly, the one who comes back is a Samaritan. Samaritans were sworn enemies of Jews at that time. It is I. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
Jesus has just fed the 5, probably more like , when the women and children are added! It is a critical time for them as they are just returned from being sent out on their own for the first time, but they have been shaken by the beheading of John the Baptist. So, Jesus demonstrates to them the power that is available to them if they choose and have faith to use it, including the power to heal. Here again we see Jesus reaching people outside of the traditional Jewish faith, hinting at the salvation that is to come to all people who believe in him.
This woman was a trailblazer for millions that followed! I believe Jesus used sensory methods of communication to show the man that he was healing him, to help him understand what was happening.
Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Why was this? Look at the first of the key teaching verses; the man was brought to Jesus, there is no indication that the man himself had any hope or faith that he would be healed.
Contrast this man with the man Jesus healed by the pool in Bethesda. This thinking is part of a widespread, longstanding and entirely incorrect narrative that associates disability and all disabled people with sin, suffering and being in need of charity.
Jesus debunks that theory clearly and completely here although it remains all too prevalent today. List of Partners vendors. Share Flipboard Email. Mary Fairchild. Christianity Expert. Mary Fairchild is a full-time Christian minister, writer, and editor of two Christian anthologies, including "Stories of Cavalry.
Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter. Updated April 17, Cite this Article Format. Fairchild, Mary. Philip the Apostle - Follower of Jesus Christ. Scripture Readings for the First Week of Advent. Christian Symbols Illustrated Glossary. Your Privacy Rights.
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