“Your faith has made you well.” Some people hear these words of Jesus and instantly start second-guessing themselves. “If I only had enough faith, I wouldn’t be in such pain. If I only had enough faith, I would be healed of whatever sicknesses or troubles I have.”

But such spiritual navel-gazing completely misses the lesson we need to learn from Bartimaeus. For notice that his attention isn’t on himself at all – he’s fully focused on Jesus. He knows that Jesus alone can fix his problems and make him whole.

And what is it that Bartimaeus knows about Jesus? In verse 48, he calls Him the Son of David, thus confessing the reality of Jesus’ royal authority and power. At the same time, Bartimaeus appeals to Jesus’ mercy, believing that King Jesus would take the time and trouble to help a blind beggar, someone who was doubtless on the bottom rung of the social ladder.

And Bartimaeus was so sure that Jesus could and would help him that he kept on crying out to Jesus. And when Jesus did indeed stop to speak to him, he jumped right up and came as he was called. And of course Jesus did not disappoint his expectations, but immediately restored his sight.

And the good news is that Jesus still has the same authority, the same power and the same willingness to save us and to help us, no matter what troubles we face. So will we trust Him? And will we join Bartimaeus, calling on Jesus with perseverance and expectation today?

Mark 10:46-52 (NASB)

46 And they came to Jericho. And as He was going out from Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road.
47 And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 And many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, arise! He is calling for you.”
50 And casting aside his cloak, he jumped up, and came to Jesus.
51 And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!”
52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.