The faith of Bartimaeus

On his final trip to Jerusalem, Jesus stopped to heal a blind man named Bartimaeus.

As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

And those who were in front 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 commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.”

And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.”

And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Luke 18:35-43

Bartimaeus was healed because of his faith.  Mark tells of this healing and adds a detail that demonstrates this faith.

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

Bartimaeus was in such a hurry to get to Jesus that the dropped his cloak to keep it from showing him down.  For a sighted person to do this wouldn’t be remarkable; he could always go back later to get his cloak.  But Bartimaeus was blind.  If Jesus failed to restore his sight he might not ever find his cloak again.  By this act he demonstrated his faith that he would be able to see again.

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