Contemplative Bible Reading

Mark 10:51 (New Living Translation)

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”

Jesus is walking down the road. Along the way is a blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus).

Bartimaeus was told that Jesus was coming. His reaction was to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Mercy? What kind of mercy. Jesus could give the man many types of mercy. Jesus asks the question from verse 51. It seems the answer is obvious. The blind man wants to see. What else would he want?

Well, a few examples, he could want:

• sins forgiven
• food
• money
• housing
• help for some other beggar

This list continues. Jesus asks. Bartimaeus replies. Enough said. Miracle performed. All the other things in the list and lots of others as well would have been miracles, too. Jesus did what was needed.