(46) And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples, and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. (47) And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. (48) And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. (49) And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called: and they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. (50) And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. (51) And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? the blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. (52) And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole: and immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
The miracle here recorded being particularly interesting, and somewhat more largely treated, than in either of the other Evangelists, (See Matthew 20:29; Luke 18:35.) I would beg the reader's indulgence to notice some of the more striking features of it.
Jericho was the cursed city. Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 16:34; but here the LORD will raise trophies to his grace. Rahab shall be called from Jericho; and thus blind Bartimaeus shall form from thence an everlasting monument in the Church, to the Redeemer's glory.
The first thing to be observed after the name, is the state and situation of this poor man. It doth not say so; but it is more than probable that he was born blind. Born blind indeed he was in soul, for this is the case of our nature universally speaking: and the SON of GOD came to give light to them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death. Isaiah xxxv; 5.Isaiah 42:6-7; Isaiah 49:9; Isaiah 61:1, compared. with Luke 4:18. I beg the Reader to consult what was offered, Chap. Mark 8:22-26, on the subject of CHRIST, forming, a creation; in all such instances of blindness as he cured when the eye had never been formed in the socket, or if destroyed. And Reader! is not every instance of every blindness when restored to sight, an emblem of the sinner, yea, every sinner; when brought from darkness to light, and from the power of sin and Satan to the living GOD!
The next thing to be noticed in the case of this poor man, is the situation in which he sat by the highway side begging. Begging alms for the body, unconscious of the wants of the soul. What can be more pitiable than when we thus see beggars in our streets, earnest and importunate for the bread which perisheth; but unconcerned for that which endureth to everlasting life. Such was this man's state. Such is every man's state, though he waiteth on the highway of ordinances till JESUS pass by; and the Spirit of JESUS put a cry in his heart for spiritual light and understanding.
The third incident in the history of Bartimaeus was the hearing of Jesus passing by, and the immediate effect wrought in his heart, putting a cry there; JESUS! thou SON of DAVID, have mercy on me! Who told him that JESUS after the flesh, was the SON of DAVID? And when he heard this, who informed him that it was under this character his people were to look for his mercy? Who but GOD the Spirit could have told him this; or put such a cry in his heart, which nothing should stifle, until the requested mercy had been granted him? Who, but must see the work of grace, upon this man's soul?
The fourth particular worthy our regard in the case, is the conduct of the people who endeavoured to stop his cry. What a striking representation this is of what is every day going on in the world. No sooner is a child of GOD brought under serious concern for his everlasting welfare, but false friends to poor sinners, and true enemies to the rich Savior, aim to stifle all conviction, and crush the infant desire of salvation at once in the soul. Oh! what sharp exercises have some gracious souls gone through, in their first awakenings from their carnal relations and neighbours, before that CHRIST hath been formed in the heart the hope of glory
The fifth thing observable in the history, is the conduct of the poor man, on the endeavours of those around him to silence his cry; his earnestness became but the more increased. True grace, the more it is exercised, the more it will manifest itself: neither will an effectual call from the LORD ever cease, before that the prayer awakened by it and offered to the LORD, be answered in mercy. Whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:30
The standing still of JESUS, and calling the poor man, which are the next points to be noticed in this transaction, are most blessedly interesting indeed. Was there not a needs be, for CHRIST standing still; and calling him, similar to Zacchaeus and the woman of Samaria? See Luke 19:5; John 4:4. Is not JESUS constrained by his very mission, to seek and save the lost? John 6:37. Oh! what a subject of holy joy, such views of CHRIST furnish?
Neither do I think the poor man's instant arising, hastening to Jesus, and casting away his garment, (for the whole was CHRIST's grace in the man's heart, and not nature's powers), are less interesting as the sweet effects proceeding from such a cause! Reader! think how blessed it must be, when at any time a poor sinner is enabled by the same grace as calls him, to hasten to that call; and to cast away everything of his own; all his own righteousness, or what some men call righteousness, and which the word of GOD calls filthy rags, and come to Jesus, just as he is, poor and blind, and wretched, and needy; and receive all from CHRIST, since all is in CHRIST of pardon and salvation?
And what a beautiful close, to a most blessed and beautiful miracle doth the account end with: the poor man received his sight and followed JESUS in the way; followed him no doubt, in the regeneration; and having found JESUS so blessed in grace, is now sitting down with him forever in glory. Oh! the preciousness of salvation! Oh! the unspeakable preciousness of such an Almighty SAVIOR!