Once upon a time there was a man named Bartimaeus. He lived in a city called Jericho. Bartimaeus could not see. He was blind. Every day he sat on the side of the road and begged for money. He heard the people around him, but that was all he could do.
One day Bartimaeus heard a great throng. Many people came by. They talked excitedly. Bartimaeus asked: “What is the matter? Why is there so much noise here?”
Someone answered, “Jesus is here! He’ll come by in a moment!”
Bartimaeus had already heard of Jesus. He knew that Jesus could heal sick people. A great hope germinated in him. Perhaps Jesus could help him!
Bartimaeus began to cry out loudly: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
The people around him said: “Be quiet, Bartimaeus! Do not disturb Jesus!”
But Bartimaeus cried out even louder: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus heard him. And Jesus stopped. He said to his disciples: “Call him to me!”
Then the people said to Bartimaeus, “Be of good cheer! Get up, Jesus is calling you!”
Bartimaeus sprang to his feet. He was so excited that he left his coat behind. He ran to Jesus.
When he was with Jesus, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
Bartimaeus answered, “Lord, that I may see.”
Then Jesus said, “Go, your faith has made you well.”
Suddenly Bartimaeus could see! Everything around him was full of color and light. He was so happy and followed Jesus.
Message of history
Jesus hears us when we need him, and he helps us. We can tell him anything, and he takes care of us.
Bible passage
The story of how Jesus heals Bartimaeus is found in Mark 10:46-52:
“And they came to Jericho. And when he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus the blind beggar, son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” And many rebuked him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and called him. And they called the blind man and said to him, “Be of good cheer, get up; He is calling you! So he threw off his cloak, got up and came to Jesus. And Jesus began and said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Rabbuni, that I may see.” But Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has saved you.” And immediately he saw and followed Jesus on the way.”
