Let’s dive right in. “They came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many warned him to keep quiet, but he was crying out all the more, “Have mercy on me, Son of David!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man and said to him, “Have courage! Get up; he’s calling for you.” He threw off his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. Then Jesus answered him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Rabboni,” the blind man said to him, “I want to see.” Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has saved you.” Immediately he could see and began to follow Jesus on the road.” (Mark 10:46–52, CSB)
This passage is unique in the Gospels in that the person receiving healing is named. Bartimaeus literally means the son of Timaeus. “Bar” is the equivalent of “son” as in Johnson. We don’t know for sure why Mark provided the name. Perhaps Mark’s original readers knew Bartimaeus. Some speculate that Mark was making a veiled reference to the blindness of Greek philosophy since Timaeus is a Greek name and the name of a book by Plato. Interesting to think about.
Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “what do you want me to do for you?” In our often sarcastic age we can imagine Bart pointing at his eyes and saying “duh.” But that’s not what happened. Bart answered, “I want to see.”
If Jesus came into the room right now and asked you, “What do you want me to do for you?” After you got over the shock and utter awe of the moment, what would you say? What do you want Jesus to do for you?
A young man was asked a similar question in the Old Testament. “That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask. What should I give you?” (2 Chronicles 1:7, CSB) Solomon asked for wisdom. “Now grant me wisdom and knowledge so that I may lead these people, for who can judge this great people of yours?” God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart, and you have not requested riches, wealth, or glory, or for the life of those who hate you, and you have not even requested long life, but you have requested for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may judge my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are given to you. I will also give you riches, wealth, and glory, unlike what was given to the kings who were before you, or will be given to those after you.”(2 Chronicles 1:10–12, CSB) In a way, Solomon and Bartimaeus asked for the same thing – to see.
There are many answers to Jesus’ question. My answer would be the same as Bartimaeus – I want to see. No, I’m not physically blind; I see fine. But to see through all the distractions and shiny things the world throws my way and see God’s handiwork. To see His ways and the path before me. To see what is moving Him with compassion, the revelation of the Word, and how He is moving in the hearts of others. To see Jesus Christ in all His glory. Jesus is asking you the same question – what do you want me to do for you? What is your answer?
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