46Now 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. 47And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
48Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
49So 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."
50And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
51So 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."
52Then 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.
I am sure there were many more miracles performed than what was mentioned in the book of Mark. I think those that are mentioned are mentioned for a specific reason. So it makes me wonder why this healing was mentioned. There were many other healings mentioned earlier in this book, including returning sight to the blind. Always, their faith made them well. Is that the lesson of this text, or is there more to it? What makes this one worth mentioning now?
Is it to show that even though Jesus is preparing his disciples for his persecution, death, and resurrection, that he is still finding time to show compassion? He is still the same Jesus who cares for those afflicted.
This is the first time in the Book of Mark that we have heard Jesus referred to as the Son of David. A footnote in my bible says that when Bartimaeus called Jesus the Son of David, he is acknowledging Jesus' messiahship. So is this mentioned here because Jesus is finally being recognized as the messiah, and by a blind man at that?
Is it to show how Jesus hears our calls even when it seems a multitude separates us? Jesus heard Bartimeaus' call.
Is it to show we are to be determined in our efforts to develop a relationship with Jesus. The crowd tried to silence Bartimeaus. But when Jesus told them to bring Bartimeaus, they brought him. We should not let the crowd deter our faith journey. But we should also make sure we are not part of that crowd that tries to control other's access to Jesus.
Or is it to contrast the desires of different people. The question Jesus asked Bartimaeus, "What do you want Me to do for you?" is the exact same question he asked of James and John a couple verses ago. Whereas James and John wanted to ask Jesus to do whatever they wanted then to give them a position of greatness, this blind man was only asking for mercy then to receive his sight.
Jesus has healed many, but I don't recall many others who follow Jesus after they are healed. Is this an example to wrap up the chapter where Jesus said to deny yourself, take up the cross, and follow me? The blind man threw off his cloak (to demonstrate getting rid of his possessions? Or was there something about that cloak that identified him as a beggar, so he wanted to leave his current circumstances?), and followed Jesus. Jesus is on the road to the cross. Bartimeaus is following Jesus on that road.