Blessed Bartimaeus

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

Mark 10:46-52

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Fertile Jericho, known as the “City of Palms,” produces abundant fruit and wealth for its inhabitants. Attracting multitudes of beggars seeking scraps of mercy and generosity from the rich, Jericho draws the blind Bartimaeus to its outskirts. As Jesus approaches with his disciples through the crowd, people near and far call out “Yeshua!”

Upon hearing the name, Bartimaeus lifts his voice and cries out, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me!” A once-in-a-lifetime chance to recover his sight suddenly appears. Nothing would stop him from obtaining it. Ignoring the rebukes of the people, Bartimaeus cries louder and more insistently, “Son of David, have pity on me!” 

Amid the clamorous mass, Jesus stops in his tracks, turns toward the wretched voice, and commands the crowd, “Call him.” Singled out by Jesus, Bartimaeus finally receives encouragement from his neighbors: ”Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” At once he throws off his ragged cloak, springs up, and goes to Jesus. Before receiving his sight, Bartimaeus already believes. Leaving his old life behind on the dusty roadside, represented by his cloak of despair, his heart is full as he comes before the Divine Physician. 

Jesus asks him, “What do you want me to do for you?” Although the Lord knows what we need before we ask, he wants us to search our hearts and tell him our desires. 

The blind man replies, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Instead of asking for money or handouts, Bartimaeus wants his vision restored to follow Christ and share the good news.

”Go your way,” Jesus responds, “your faith has saved you.” His wildest expectations fulfilled, Bartimaeus receives his sight and follows the Lord as his faithful disciple.

Traditional Chinese Translation

《有福的巴底買》
瞎眼的巴底買披戴著絕望， 
卻自耶穌得到了眼明和祝福。