Dear Sisters, dear brethren, once again St Mark has given us a very vivid account of an event such as only an eye-witness is likely to have been able to tell us; now whether that witness is Mark or not we cannot be sure, but in any case the account is at least likely to have been St Peter’s own recollection of this very dramatic healing witnessed by such a large crowd, as Mark tells us. After all, we do know that Mark wrote his Gospel from St Peter’s recollections and to assist S Peter in his preaching.
What do we learn from this healing of the blind man? First, this is not the same man as the man born blind of whom we hear in St John’s equally dramatic account in his Gospel. The man in today’s account, named Bartimaeus, or ‘Son of Timaeus’, was not born blind, since he asks for his sight to be restored to him, which is how we know he once was able to see, quite unlike the man born blind in St John.
This took place as Jesus was leaving Jericho, one of the most ancient and important cities of Judea, which lies about 25 miles east of Jerusalem. The road from Jericho to Jerusalem is bleak and dangerous on account of the many robbers that infested it and attacked lonely travellers between the cities. That is why our Lord set the parable of the Good Samaritan on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, and it would be along that road which Our Lord Himself wold pass after this event of which we have just heard, making His way to Jerusalem and to death and resurrection.
But to return to today’s Gospel; Our Lord was leaving the city accompanied by a large crowd. He was by now famous as a travelling preacher and teacher, and doubtless His reputation was enhanced by His many wonderful miracles over the course of His public ministry which had lasted about three years by now. We do not know how far these people wold be going with Him. Some surely would be staying behind, while a few apart from the Apostles, disciples and the holy women who cared for Him would be travelling with Him wherever He went.
Now a blind beggar enters the scene; he is even given a name, Bar-Timaeus, i.e. Son of Timaeus. This is probably significant. Why would St Mark tell us his name? Well, there are other cases where he does just that. For instance, he alone of the evangelists tells us that Simon of Cyrene, who helped Jesus to carry His cross, was the father of Alexander and Rufus. This can only mean that the people to whom Mark addressed his gospel must have known exactly who Alexander and Rufus were, otherwise there would be no point in telling their names. This would strongly indicate that Simon of Cyrene and his entire family must have become followers of Jesus directly as a result of the carrying of the cross. Mark indirectly tells us this simply by telling us about Alexander and Rufus. So what of Bar-Timaeus? There is a strong indication that exactly the same is true of him, i.e. that he became a disciple of Jesus, too. The strength of this suggestions lies in the very final words of today’s Gospel reading: ‘and he followed Him on the way.’ This surely doesn’t mean merely that he was one of the large crowd that walked through the streets of Jericho until Jesus left the city and then went back home. No. Being a ‘follower along the way’ is much more significant than that. It means that he became a disciple and accompanied Jesus thereafter, doubtless becoming a well-known early Christian among those who formed the early Church in Jerusalem after Pentecost.
Now to return to the narrative.
He shouts and the words he shouts are ‘Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!’ This is a prayer, addressed to Jesus as the Messiah, for the Son of David was a recognised title of the One who was to come, the great king who would liberate Israel. But we note that Bartimaeus is shouting out to Jesus as one who could have pity or mercy on him.
Even when those around try to silence him, he will not be stopped. He doubles down, as we say, crying out all the louder: ‘Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.’
Then our Lord stops in His tracks and tells those around Him to call the blind man to Him. They now change their tune, far from trying to silence him, they now see that Jesus Himself is asking to meet him. Note how he threw off his cloak and jumped up. Such eagerness!
Then Jesus spoke. Such important words. Jesus has waited till now. ‘What do you want of me?’ ‘Lord, my Master, give me back my sight.’ Rabbuni is a special title. Mary Magdalene uses it in the Garden on the Tomb when she recognises the risen Lord. Bartimaeus is not simply regarding Jesus as a miracle-worker but as Son of David and Teacher, indeed as his teacher. Jesus tells him to go as his faith has saved him and his sight is restored at that moment.
But he does not go. He could have done, but instead he chooses to follow Jesus on the road. And as I said before, this is the road to Jerusalem, a hard and dangerous road leading to suffering and the humiliation of the cross unto death. Yet Bartimaeus follows Jesus gratefully and faithfully. He believes.
Note that Bartimaeus is not half-hearted in his request, and he gets the full response. His sight is restored fully, not in part. Padre Pio’s blind man’s prayer…
Bartimaeus gets more than even his sight back; he is given the gift of spiritual sight and understanding. Jesus is His Lord, even to death and beyond.
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