Prophetic Word: This Is Your COMEBACK season! The Lord says “open your eyes to see!”
The story of Blind Bartimeus’ healing is the very miracle that sets the stage before Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem one last time.
Even today, the lessons have such powerful implications for all of God’s children.
Earlier this week I had a dream about Blind Bartimeus! In the dream, I was traveling to see a play about him and I was told to stay three days. This was interesting because one day prior I’d just blogged about the spiritual importance of “three days.” I knew the Lord was nudging me to look deeper into this story.
I can’t wait to share what the Holy Spirit taught me!
THE BACK STORY
This story starts in Mark 10:46. It’s about to be Holy Week in Jerusalem, so people from everywhere will journey to the city to celebrate Passover.
When Jesus arrived outside the walls of Jericho, a beggar was sitting along the chalky dirt, likely covered in a cloud of dust from all the people plowing through. He probably had his cloak opened wide to catch coins that people would toss to him like scraps to a dog.
It was springtime and the crowds swelled as they followed Jesus into Jerusalem.
When Blind Bartimaeus "heard that it was Jesus from Nazareth, he shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!"
The crowd rebuked him and "many people told the man to stop, but he shouted even louder, "Son of David, have pity on me!"
Then Jesus stopped and said: "Call him over!"
Isn't it funny that the very people who cast this man aside, suddenly changed their mind and "they called out to the blind man and said, "Don't be afraid! Come on! He is calling for you.’"
In life, crowds are finicky and shifty and will always change based on their motives or how they view things. God is steady, constant and remains secure.
So after Jesus called him, "the man threw off his cloak as he jumped up and ran to Jesus."
Jesus asked "What do you want me to do for you?"
The blind man answered: "Master, I WANT TO SEE!"
“Go,” said Jesus. “Your faith has healed you.”
"At once the man could see, and he went down the road with Jesus."
This is one of the few healings that a gospel writer includes the name of someone publicly healed.
The point of the story is not just the healing, but the faith. Bartimaeus had the faith to believe Jesus was really the Messiah and the faith to believe God would heal him.
When Jesus asked him what he wanted, Bart could have said “a warm meal or some money.” Instead, this man had the faith to dream even BIGGER. He wanted TO SEE. Only faith can make you show up and ask Jesus for the impossible!
THE POWER OF A NAME
Most all the miracles in the gospels keep the person anonymous who was healed. Matthew and Luke have a similar story of a blind beggar healed, but Mark is the only one to call Bartimaeus by name.
This is a peculiar move and it must have purpose because everything in the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit. So why does the Gospel of Mark include the name?
In the original texts, he’s introduced as “Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus” (ὁ υἱὸς Τιμαίου Βαρτιμαῖος, ho huiòs Timaíou Bartimaîos), so the blind beggar’s name wasn’t actually Bartimaeus. It was an identity attached to him.
Some scholars believe his father had a high position in royalty and the son was cast aside because of his blind condition. So his healing would be powerful to the masses and his father’s identity might tie into the story.
So why did Mark include extra details about this man? He was considered one of the first journalists in the Bible.
He was likely a disciple of Peter, who was one of Jesus’ closest friends. John Mark wrote the gospel based on the stories Peter dictated and shared with him. So Peter of all people would have a special fondness when it comes to names, especially when the person was defined by a condition and then shown his true identity in Christ. Mark likely noticed the uniqueness of the name.
Bartimaeus has two contrasting meanings. One points to a condition, likely given by the people.
The other identity is a name with respect and honor.
It outlines the way we once were before made whole.
BAR-TIMAI
The name Bar-timai means “Son of Timai.” So we don’t know his first name, but Timaeus was the name of his father.
Son Of Uncleanness, Impure Ones
Son Of He Who's Highly Prized, Son Of Honor, The ‘Worthy One’
Since Bartimaeus cried out in Aramaic to Jesus by using “Rabbi” (an Aramaic title of honor and respect), we can assume then that the name Timai means “highly prized, esteemed, bought at a price.”
Maybe this was Jesus’ last public healing among the people to point to how God sees all of us. Once covered in sin and shame, the Lord restores us as His prized possessions. We were bought at a price and ransomed.
The author is clearly signaling for us to open our eyes and make note of God’s powerful message shared through this particular story.
More importantly though, the entire story points to the mercy, grace and healing power of Jesus Christ. 🕊
Other key notes:
▪️Bartimaeus called out to Jesus first, the Lord then stepped in to rescue him. But faith takes action. It’s not enough to just believe.
▪️Bartimaeus wasn’t out for himself and asking Jesus to make him great. Rather, the blind beggar simply wanted “mercy” and shouted for Jesus to have “mercy on him!” He wanted compassion and forgiveness. Bart was healed from his blindness, but also earned his salvation at the very same time. He recognized the Messiah and it didn’t take long for Jesus to intercede and change this man forever.
▪️Bart's faith in the Messiah led to his restoration. God wants healing for all of us. Our greatest healing is not always physical, rather it’s spiritual healing that we need the most. When we put our trust in Jesus, He will make our hearts whole and pure again.
▪️ "At once" this man could see. This was an instant healing, a true miracle. This story is especially unique because the Lord’s voice was enough to heal this man.
▪️The story wasn’t over though because Bart then followed Jesus! Jesus told him to “go” but Bart followed. Our faith should look the exact same way. We should passionately and eagerly seek to follow our King everywhere!
What a beautiful moment that must’ve been!
Can you imagine what that day was like?! The very first sight this man ever saw in his lifetime was the face of our beloved King!
Our man Bart didn't say: "okay, thank you for healing me. Let me run and tell my family first and let everyone know how great I am.” Nope, Bart gave it all up and went down the road with Jesus and followed him!
The Bible doesn't tell us if Bartimaeus walked all the way to Jerusalem but I'm sure he did! This would be his first festival with eyesight perhaps in his entire life or a long time if he was born with sight and then a condition took it away. He might have been there one week later when Jesus was then brutally murdered on the cross.
So what would be Bart’s story going forward? The healing, redemptive power of Jesus and His saving grace — or the brutality of what Jesus experienced on the cross? I think it’s a bit of both. Bart believed in the Messiah and His power and God definitely chose this man for a reason.
And it's still happening in modern day.
This man would be such a great example for the people and I personally believe Bart went on to become a mighty evangelist and shared his healing testimony with boldness and zeal!
POWERFUL LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM OUR BESTIE BART
1. Jesus absolutely loves the outcasts, downtrodden, poor, the afflicted, people suffering from illnesses, prisoners, captives, abused, those drowning in grief and the most overlooked people society. They are the very ones Jesus came to heal and rewrite their stories.
2. So why did the Lord choose for Bart to be His final public miracle as a man? Jesus would later perform one last miracle to heal the centurion’s ear, but that was out of necessity in the moment. Bart was the last time Jesus chose to heal someone in front of the masses.
I think because: 1) Jesus had compassion and mercy for this man and 2.) his testimony had power, especially because many of the people believed those afflicted with blindness were somehow cursed or responsible for what they suffered. The Lord was going out with a bang. He wanted people to remember how He viewed the afflicted. Jesus came to disrupt the old religious systems and this would be a powerful moment. It would wake up spiritually “blind” eyes to understand how much compassion and mercy Christ had — and still has — for those cast aside in society.
Remember: we are now the very people Jesus has trusted to love His people the same way. In Luke, the Lord reminds us how important it is to look with our spiritual eyes and not in the physical.
“Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” (Luke 10:23).
3. Similar to the woman that bled 12 years, Jesus told Bartimaeus: “Your FAITH has healed you. Go in peace. Your sight has been restored.”
The word “saved” in the Greek is sozo and it means: Delivered, restored, healed, saved, rescued, persevered, made whole.
The footnote in the Passion Translation says “there’s implication that Bartimaeus was saved, healed and delivered, with sight restored, all at one time.”
Jesus didn’t need to spit mud on this man’s face and do a bunch of extra praying like some of the other blind men and afflicted. This tells us that Bartimaeus was likely wholesome and pure in his heart and there were no demons to cast out. This man simply had a condition and Jesus wanted to meet him right where he was and change his life forever.
4. Sometimes God will do things discreetly. Other times the Lord will use your healing to a large audience to proclaim His healing power. It’s a comeback story, and people are drawn to the comeback even when they don’t believe in God. All throughout history, the Lord used people who many counted out to restore them in the shadows and then sent them out as a beacon of hope. He’s drawn to the ones not ashamed to walk in the fullness of their story and who will take the spotlight off themselves and always put it back on Jesus Christ.
5. Bart was not only blind, but poor. When you are poor and needy, this exposes you to another level of uncertainty. Your faith muscle builds because time and time again you have to rely on the Lord to show up for you. Just like Elijah told the widow, the Lord is saying to you today: “the oil will not run dry.” Don’t look with your eyes if you are struggling right now. Have faith that God will do miracles and show up for you again.
For others, you might have financial wealth and seem like you're surrounded by the spotlight or in high places, but you actually feel really invisible. You might actually appear very confident and self-assured, but your talents overpower the true meekness of your heart. People don’t know the true you. They don’t know who God has made you and the gifts and pain that you carry. This makes you feel invisible and unworthy to be loved. Then one day Jesus comes in and takes your heart and reveals your full identity. Finally your eyes can finally see how God sees you.
Wherever you are on your journey, understand that Christ cares about you on an individual basis. The woman that bled and Blind Bartimaeus received instant healings, but that doesn’t mean they forgot how people treated them for years. However, when the Surgeon comes in and restores you, all the past heartache won't even matter anymore. Suddenly you become just so compassionate and thankful for the wounded and heartbroken. It’s a process though for your mind to catch up with your new heart and what Jesus did for you. Just remember that everything you endured will be used for a mighty purpose and you are truly the person God called for the job.
GOD IS SAYING: WHEN THE CALL COMES -- THROW OFF YOUR CLOAK!
“Throwing his cloak aside, [Bartimaeus] jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked him.”▪️When Jesus called Bartimaeus, he “threw off his cloak.” Some of you will receive a life-changing call and instantly the cloak of shame that once covered you will no longer serve any purpose. You must toss it aside and run into your new identity with all your heart. Your old clothing and garments will no longer serve any purpose because Jesus has made you whole and new. Others of you will actually be the ones making the call to change the life of the person on the other end. Both will be powerful, life-altering moments.
▪️Bart had a choice to get up and go to Jesus. He didn’t passively wait for the moment. No, he stepped out in faith and proclaimed who the Messiah was and got up instantly.
▪️The cloak was likely a government thing to identify him as a beggar and tell people who he was. His condition and situation became Bart’s full identity. This is like having a SNAP card or food stamps. It shows people your condition and needs. Or think about homeless people. They often have old tattered clothes to identify their needs and keep them bound to their condition. Even if they walk into the store, people will automatically treat them differently or less than many times based on their outward appearance.
▪️The cloak was also Bart’s shell and his home. It’s the blanket that kept him warm and the padding that protected him on the dirt. It’s the shawl he used to collect change people tossed his way. The cloak was the very tool that Bart used to protect him from harm and it was likely all he owned. Yet, when Jesus called him, Bart instantly dropped it. The old couldn’t go into the new. He surrendered to Jesus’ calling that he raced into the Father’s arms. The Gospel of Mark made sure to mention that Bart dropped the cloak because it was likely a glorious sight to see this blind man giving up everything to chase the Messiah.
▪️Bartimaeus was healed outside the walls of Jericho. These are the same walls that God once dismantled for the children of Israel to walk into freedom and the Promised Land. The Lord will knock down walls and dismantle any and everything that gets in the way of your freedom. This includes people. Sometimes other people won’t understand your new identity and the way Christ set you free from bondage of the past. It’s important to always trust Him and yield when this happens even when it hurts. Make sure to wait on the Lord because walls are tumbling down -- and SOON! Jesus healed Bartimaeus on the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem for Passover.
FINAL WORDS
The Lord has been telling me that these next few weeks will be crucial to His children and the body of Christ. God is coming through! You showed up and kept knocking and kept knocking and you always believed Christ would do the impossible. Keep praying and believing for whatever promise the Lord has promised you.
Many of you have been sitting on this promise for years. The time is now!!! The Lord says “I am calling. I am coming for you. It always had an appointed time.”
He just said the word “dunamis” in my spirit. The word is used 120 times in the New Testament and means:
“strength, power, or ability.” It is the root word of our English words dynamite, dynamo, and dynamic.
It’s power that only comes from God. It's the same power that came out when the woman that bled touched the robe of Jesus and was instantly healed.
However, dunamis is not just any power, it means miraculous power or marvelous works and in the Greek Lexicon can mean: “moral power and excellence of soul.”
Remember: the spiritual timeline of the Bible still operates in the prophetic seasons for even today:
• Jesus was resurrected.
• Acts 1 says he gave proof of His resurrection for 40 days. Then he told the disciples to wait.
• The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost 50 days after the resurrection.
Get ready, Jesus is coming for you with mighty power! A fresh new wind of revelation and wisdom might be downloaded soon, so spend lots of extra time with Jesus this season!
The Lord gave me these verses for us to keep close to our hearts this season:
“I am going to send you what my Father promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
(Luke 24:49)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Finally, we should live a life just like Bartimaeus. A life that is worthy of the gospel!
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.” Philippians 1:27
When we live a life worthy of the Gospel:
1. We stand firm in the life of Jesus who was revealed at birth, through His ministry, crucifixion and resurrection.
2. We walk in full freedom and we are not bound to any oppression or intimidation by man. We hold our heads upright with assurance and faith that God is always with us.
3. Most of all, we live our lives watching out for the widows, orphans, blind, sick, overlooked, the poor and downtrodden. The Lord has trusted us to help His people. This doesn't always have to be in huge, majestic ways. Walk with love and compassion and the Lord will open your eyes to see those in need.
4. We always put our trust in Christ who loved us first. Love has to always be our guiding light to truly have vision like the Lord does for people.
5. Praise is the key to freedom and breakthrough! How do we combat any disruption in this season? We speak against it and remind the Lord how thankful we are to walk this journey with our Father! Stand in holy reverence of our King and thank Him for His endless mercy and grace.
Lord, we thank you for opening our eyes to see You!!! What an honor it is to serve You! We love you so much!!!
