JESUS AND BARTIMAEUS
This is the season of Lent, the time to get ready to celebrate the Mystery of Easter. We are all on the way to Jerusalem. Who will show us the way? Jesus shows us the way.
Once every year the people of God go up to Jerusalem, the holy city of God, to celebrate the feast of the Passover. To remember how God led them through the waters to freedom.
This year as Jesus traveled to Jerusalem, people came to him. They came to be close to him because they knew Jesus would not turn anyone away, even if they were little children… even if they were crippled or very poor… and even if they were sick and scared, and no one would talk to them.
Bartimaeus was begging outside the city of Jericho. He was begging because he was blind. He couldn’t see anything, but Bartimaeus could hear.
When he heard Jesus going by, he shouted, “Jesus, help me!” The people said to Bartimaeus, “Be quiet. Don’t bother Jesus. Be quiet!” But Bartimaeus shouted louder, “Jesus, help me!” And Jesus stopped. “Bring him to me,” he said. “What do you want?” Jesus asked. “I want to see.” Jesus touched Bartimaeus’ eyes. “Then receive your sight!” Immediately Bartimaeus could see.
Bartimaeus and all the people were so happy that they couldn’t help but give thanks to God. And Bartimaeus followed Jesus on the way to Jerusalem. I wonder why Jesus would come near to Bartimaeus when others would not bother with him?
