Photo by Amber Weir on Unsplash

. Attentive to the passing conversation and perhaps hearing the miraculous accounts of this man named Jesus, he unashamedly yells out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Would that not be your posture if you knew there was a man coming who could heal you of your blindness?

The crowds, not wanting to be bothered by the blind man and certainly not the blind man to bother Jesus, rebuke him telling him to be quiet. The crowds don’t know his name, but the account resounded for many years to come in people’s minds and hearts as it would later be written down in the Gospel of Mark for our enjoyment and wonder. Thus, in the text of Scripture, there is a remembrance of this man’s name. He was not nameless or faceless. His name was Bartimaeus and Jesus saw him, though Bartimaeus didn’t see Him.

This account is heartwarming and encouraging for many reasons but I want to point out several simple observations from the text that are found in verses 52-53.

• Bartimaeus had faith in Jesus.
• His faith in Jesus made him well (physically healed, but more importantly/seriously, he was spiritually healed and forgiven). Remember in the Gospel of Mark, faith is never mere intellectual assent, but trust and confidence in the person of Jesus.
• And Bartimaeus followed Jesus on the way.

That is a succinct summary of the Christian’s life. Jesus rescues us and we spend the rest of our lives following after Him.

In what ways are you following Jesus? What areas do you need to follow the heart of Jesus more closely in your life? Ask Jesus for help today. He wants to hear from you today. Talk to Him. And please know that He will hear you and He will answer you…because He sees you, just like He saw Bartimaeus.