Teacher, I want to see. Mark 10:51
The journey to Jerusalem included a stop in Jericho where a blind man by the name of Bartimaeus begged along the side of the road. When Jesus passed by, Baritmaeus called out to him asking for mercy.
Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.
Mark introduces Bartimaeus by noting that he was the son of Timaeus. I wonder if Timaeus was well-known in the city of Jericho for Mark to call attention to the father’s name. Would Timaeus appreciate this association? Perhaps he felt shame or disappointment over his son’s condition. Maybe he went about his business gathering wealth and respect on the streets of Jericho refusing to claim as his son a man who sat in the dirt of the roadside begging.
Sons were supposed to lead the family, to learn from the father and carry on his name, to continue in the family business and capitalize on his inheritance. But Bartimaeus, blind, helpless, and begging, was good for nothing, unable to function according to his family’s and the culture’s expectations.
Perhaps no one had ever shown him mercy.
Ironically, the meaning of the name Bartimaeus was “son of honor.” As a blind beggar, he did not bring his father honor. Neither did he receive honor. The only treatment he’d ever known was disrespect and marginalization.
But today, Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David, passed through town. If ever there existed the slightest chance of receiving compassion, this was it.
Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.
In crying out for mercy, Bartimaeus asked Jesus to really and truly see him. Bartimaeus couldn’t see Jesus, but maybe the Rabbi would pause long enough to look his direction and see him. The cry for mercy asked Jesus to care about what he saw, and to please, for heaven’s sake, not heap on him any more harsh treatment.
Bartimaeus got his wish. Jesus calls for him and presents him with the same question he’d asked his disciples in a previous discussion about honor and power. “What do you want me to do for you?”
If Jesus were to ask me such a direct question, I’m not sure I would know how to answer. What do I want Jesus to do for me? If I could have anything in the world straight from the hand of God, what would it be? I doubt that I would understand my own desires and limitations enough to give the question a proper answer.
But Bartimaeus knew what he wanted. First, he wanted Jesus’ compassion. When he knew he’d received it, he made one simple request.
Teacher, I want to see.
He didn’t ask for money or for friends or even for a bath. He asked for the one thing that would make him independent. The one thing that would restore honor to his family and allow him to take his rightful place in Jericho society.
Teacher, I want to see.
Jesus gives it to him, and he heals this man with a word. “Go.” Jesus might have touched him, but instead of applying a mud paste as he’d done for another blind man, Jesus says, “Go.” Find freedom from the beggar’s life, from darkness, from hopelessness.
The man’s faith in Jesus is what healed him. Possibly the first person ever to see him for who he really was, Jesus honors him for his faith. But Bartimaeus didn’t use his new vision and freedom for himself. Instead, he became a disciple, following Jesus along the road, praising God, and telling about what Jesus had done for him.
Teacher, I want to see.
Free us, O Lord, from darkness, and from hopelessness. We ask for your mercy. Work in our hearts until we know our own desires and limitations well enough to come to you in truth.
Grow our faith.
Empower us for testimony. Amen
