In Mark’s gospel we read of the encounter between Jesus and a blind beggar, Bartimaeus. Hearing that the Lord was passing through Jericho, the beggar raised his voice, calling incessantly, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Called by the Lord to come, he was then faced with a question that interrogates every reader of Mark’s account, ourselves included:
What do you want me to do for you? (Mark 10:51)
You might think that Bartimaeus’ reasons were pretty obvious - he’s a blind man and here is someone reputed to be a healer. You might also think that it ought to be obvious to the Lord what this is all about - he’s healed so many people, just like Bartimaeus. But, no. Jesus slows things down, takes nothing for granted and, in the process, gives this man - gives us - an opportunity for the deepest kind of enquiry, into our own perception of need and the state of our own souls.
What is it that we really and deeply feel in need of? What do we want Jesus to do for us? What are our ambitions, the desires that drive us forwards? In the asking we perhaps will feel our need to consider whether our answers reflect truth and beauty, whether they align with God’s words, God’s ways. What are we being governed by as we reply to the Lord? We could be helped to ponder just how willing we are to be submissive to the working of his wisdom, how sensitive to the promptings of his providence. Are we content to have all our times held in his capable hands?1
It’s not a facile question after all. I wonder if it’s one you’re willing to face, right now?
Bartimaeus’ answer is so clearly filled with pathos: “Rabbi, I want to see.” His response is without doubt untutored, instinctively going to the core of his tragic existence. End of. Here is the depth of his need - a blind man wishes to be given his sight. We might wish to (rightly) take that and reflect on our own lack, so often, of clear vision - of God and his plans, his design for life, his all-knowing, all-wise ordering of all our days. We need to see, too.2 And he is not unfeeling towards us in the anxious confusion we feel is wrapped around our heart.
But there’s another aspect of Bartimaeus’ answer that is also profoundly meaningful. If others had ever asked him the same question it's highly unlikely he would have responded in the same way. To ask for money or food or clothes or some form of shelter, those we can safely imagine he might have requested. But he will never before have asked anyone to restore his sight — and that tells us something intensely important about his perception of the Lord.
This Son of David has the capacity to do for him what others simply could not. That drives him to ask and to keep on asking. Could the same be said of us? That we see the Lord Jesus as unique, not simply as a miracle-worker we could benefit from, but as the Son of Man who came, not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many?3 One whose estimation of the worth of our lives, of ourselves, far outstrips the little we are often prepared to settle for, bargaining for a single meal and missing out on the far greater treasure of “the boundless riches of Christ”.4
Others were asked the same question by the Lord, just prior to this account. James and John in Mark 10:36 take the opportunity to ask to sit at Jesus’ right and left hand in glory. Their folly is set in sharp relief by Bartimaeus’ faith. And leaves us to dwell on this deepest of questions — what is it that we wish our gracious, blessed Lord to do for us?
The same question was the subject of an earlier Joy in the Journey article, albeit with a slightly broader focus. If you’re interested you can read it here.
You might enjoy listening to Sara Groves’ song, Hello Lord - a vulnerable and open confession of the struggle to hear and to see clearly.
It’s really worth pairing these reflections with the words of Psalm 27:4 and then Luke 10:38-42.
And we could do no better than to make Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:16ff our own:
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Mark 10:45
Hebrews 12:16; Ephesians 3:8
Thank you.