Scripture Daily

Context No. 3889 of 4322 · Mark

Context · Reflection

Mark 10:42-52: in context

42Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. 44Whoever of you wants to become first among you shall be bondservant of all. 45For the Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 46They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. 47When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!” 48Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Jesus stood still and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!” 50He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 51Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may see again.” 52Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the way.

As Jesus leaves Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus hears that he is passing by and begins to cry out, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! The crowd tries to silence him, rebuking him and telling him to be quiet, but he only cries out all the louder. His desperation and his faith will not be hushed.

And Jesus stops, calls for him, and asks, what do you want me to do for you? Bartimaeus answers simply, Rabbi, let me recover my sight, and Jesus heals him: your faith has made you well. Two things stand out. Bartimaeus's persistent, undiscourageable faith. When the crowd tried to silence him, he cried out more insistently; he would not let his one chance to reach Jesus slip away because others told him to be quiet. And his response to the healing: he followed Jesus on the way. There is encouragement here for our own praying. Bartimaeus shows a faith that will not be silenced by discouragement, that keeps crying out to Jesus for mercy even when others would hush it.

Do I bring my need to Jesus with the persistent, undiscourageable faith of Bartimaeus, crying out for his mercy even when others or my own doubts would silence me, and then following him?

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