The Day Everything Changed For 2 Blind Men

~ Matthew 20: 29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43 ~

Most days, Bartamaeus (Bart for short) and his friend sat at a strategic spot on a busy roadside begging for handouts from people traveling in and out of Jericho. It was a monotonous way of life for the two blind men.

But this day would be different.

Jesus was traveling the road with his disciples and a large crowd, and He came near to them. When the blind men heard him pass by, Bart yelled, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”

The crowd reacted by shushing and scolding Bart.

Undeterred, he doubled down, and more loudly repeated, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David.”

Jesus stopped and asked Bart an invaluable question.

“What do you want me to do for you?”

Bart answered, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.”

Moved with compassion, Jesus responded by touching the eyes of both men. Instantly they could see. They used their first sighted steps to follow Jesus. I can almost hear Bart saying, "I once was blind, but now I see.”

This story is written by Matthew, Mark and Luke, in the Bible. Each writer gives different details but supports the main message of faith and healing.

Matthew shares the story in just six verses, noting that Jesus healed two blind men. In seven verses, Mark identifies Bartamaeus as the blind beggar but doesn’t mention a companion. Luke also writes about the “blind beggar” in nine verses.

As a writer, I appreciate the succinctness of a good storyteller. I’m a ‘get-to-the-point’ kind’a girl, with a side of color to keep my interest.

As a former news writer, I would seek answers to the questions, who, what, where, when, why and sometimes how, and generally work them into the first paragraph of the story! Matthew, Mark and Luke cover most of those bases in Bart’s story.

But as a Christian reading and studying the bible, I look to understand the context of His Word and what God is teaching me.

So, let’s do that. Take a minute to zero in on the brief encounter the men had with Jesus. Read all three versions. Focus. Break it down.

The story may be short, but it is rich. What stands out to you?

I noticed that Bart couldn’t see Jesus, yet he boldly showed faith by calling Him Lord in front of everyone who could actually see Jesus and His actions! In other words, seeing isn’t believing. Believing is seeing!

It is likely that Bart had heard about other marvelous healings Jesus had done and was seeking a supernatural intervention of his own.

Surprisingly, Bart’s first ask was for mercy, not healing!

He lived in a society that marginalized him. To sustain his life, Bart had to rely daily on any compassion and favor he could get from other people. But Jesus wasn’t like anyone else. Bart believed the mercy from Jesus would be unconditional, rooted in love.

I love that Bart was selfless. In his request, he included his companion. Even when the crowd told him to shut up, he pressed Jesus, asking again for mercy for the two of them.

And when Jesus asked Bart the million-dollar question, “What do you want me to do for you? Bart didn’t hesitate to share his heart’s desire; “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 

With just His touch, the two men not only got their miracle but also stood face to face with Jesus!

Jesus told them, “Go your way; your faith has made you healed.” But they did not go “their” way. Instead, they at once followed Jesus “on the way.”

Notice Bart didn’t use fancy words to talk to Jesus. He made two simple requests in faith that led to an incredible display of Jesus’s compassion and amazing power in life. For everyone watching, the restoration of the men’s sight was additional proof that Jesus was more than a mere man.

No longer blind, the men could see things on this earth that they longed for - people, places, the sun, moon, and stars.

But now, their hearts also had eyes, as described in Ephesians 1:18. Divinely given, these eyes gave them a spiritual perception beyond their physical sight. They could see God’s truths, His character through Jesus, His son, and grasp that God had a purpose and plan for them. They realized their hearts had longed for Jesus, too.

Because Jesus had restored their earthly sight and given them spiritual sight, they could personally testify about His life-changing, life-giving power. They chose to stay close to this miracle-maker.

Bart and his friend became signposts for Jesus, pointing others to “The Way.” The bible says Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to God the Father, except through Jesus, His son.

I doubt Bart imagined his plea for compassion would lead to the miracle of Jesus giving both men sight for their eyes and their hearts.

But that’s what Jesus did!

He loved them so much that when one of them cried out, Jesus’s answer was beyond anything they “could ever hope or imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20)

The more important part of Bart’s story is the spiritual healing, not the physical one. We all need a Savior who loves us, gives us joy, can free us from the hold of sin in our lives, forgives us, gives us wisdom, the ability to see beyond anything this world has to offer and gives eternal life.

Like Bart, there can be merciless people in our lives. We can feel unloved, unheard, and unseen. We might have created our situation. Or it might have happened to us. Whatever the case, we can’t see Jesus.

Unlike Bart, our eyes work fine. But in our distress, we can’t discern a way through our circumstance. Neither can any of the people in whom we confided - family members, friends, those in authority. We have talked about it to everyone but Jesus.

Like a car without fuel, we are powerless to make our way out of the driveway to the side of a road to ask even a passerby for help – much less a local church where Jesus’s followers gather to worship, study the bible, pray, and encourage.

We all desire favor and need compassion – God’s kind of mercy.

Call out to Him. You can whisper or yell like Bart. God will hear you. I know. I have asked for, received, and experienced His mercy many times over.

Friend, when Jesus is near, miracles can happen.

Bart positioned himself to get near to Jesus. Be strategic. Position the love of Jesus at eye level. Look to Him!

Bart realized his need for a Savior and got vulnerable. He believed Jesus could and would help him. He asked for mercy, and gained sight in his eyes and his heart.

I encourage you to do the same. What do you want God to do for you? Tell him what is on your heart. Listen for His still, small voice. Get a bible and read His love letter to you.

Remember, He is the God of the impossible! Allow His touch on your life. Receive His answer in faith and trust that God knows what is best. He has a plan for you. Follow Him and walk in His faithfulness. Be a signpost that points others to Jesus. He is The Way!