Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” He is emphasizing that despite what the crowd might be saying about him, it is important for the disciples to know who He is. It is equally as important that we know who Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit is to us. Our beliefs lead us to yearn to know more about our unique relationship with God. This awareness becomes the footing upon which our spirituality is built.
Today I want to talk about the relationship of Jesus and a blind man known as Bartimaeus.
Mark 10: 46-52 (NKJV)
Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.
Why was the name of this blind man Bartimaeus mentioned in the bible?
Why do we get to know his name?
Why did Bartimaeus call Jesus The Son of David?
What is the Bible trying to show us?
In order to understand this question a little better, we need to look at the name Bartimaeus, can you tell me the names of anyone else that Jesus healed?
What was the woman’s name with the issue of blood?
What was the blind man’s name at Bethsaida?
What was Jairus daughter’s name?
What was the name of the man with the legion of demons?
What was the name of the men that was lowered through the roof?
If we don’t get to know the names of all the people that Jesus healed, why is it that we get to know a blind man known as Bartimaeus?
The first thing, the name Bartimaeus has an interesting origin. It is derived from a combination of Aramaic and Greek elements:
Aramaic: The prefix “bar” means “son.”
Greek: The word “Timaeus” signifies “honorable”
When we put these two words together, we get Bartimaeus essentially meaning “Son of Honor.”
You see, The Bible mentions prominent names of important religious leaders. But Jesus does not mention Bartimaeus father by name, He refers to him as Honorable. Bartimaeus cries out Son of David, not Jesus, not Teacher, not Rabbi, he calls him Son of David.. This is the first time we see anyone call Jesus by Son of David, and it happens to be a blind man sitting by the side of the road. If we go back two chapters where Jesus ask the question to the disciples who do you say that I am?
Mark 8: 27-29 (NKJV)
Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?” So they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”
Essentially, Jesus is asking the disciples what is your revelation with I am? Who do you believe I am to you. And what do you believe that I can do in you.
So with this in mind, why would a blind man call out to Jesus, Son of David.
If his father was a religious leader, I’m pretty sure that even though he was blind he grew up hearings his father read the Torah (the Torah is a collection of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) over and over again he probably heard the prophecies in Ezekiel 37 and 2 Samuel 7 about the Messiah being from that lineage of David, he grown up hearing these prophecies of Messiah and now he hears about Jesus.
Bartimaeus probably said I don’t need to see to know who this man is, and if I know who He is, I know what He could do for me.
He might’ve been blind, but he had more insight than anyone else. He knew without being able to see that Jesus was The Son of God, and he didn’t need sight or anything else but Jesus. He knew that Jesus was the only one that can make things happen. His faith was made known by calling Jesus Son of David.
What he was saying I know who you are, I know where you came from, I know you’re the Messiah, and you are from the House of David, and what I need you have. His faith was known by asking the question who do you say I am?
I ask you today, who do you say Jesus is in your life?
God Bless you, Israel