Mark 10:46
And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimæus, the son of Timæus, sat by the highway side begging. And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimæus, the son of Timæus, sat by the highway side begging.
The setting is Jericho as Jesus goes out of the city with His disciples and a great number of people, while blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sits by the highway side begging. His moment comes because Jesus is passing by, and that passing gives him the opportunity to call to Him for mercy. Earnest seeking of Jesus in such a moment can bring clearer spiritual sight and gifts more valuable than material riches.
Bartimaeus crying to Jesus as He passed, calling on Him as Son of David for mercy, is the pattern for seeking physical healing in faith. Jesus is to be sought as the great Physician for healing, and the sick are to be carried to Him in the arms of faith with that same persistent cry for mercy. That seeking lays aside all other medicine and relies alone on His arm. Such faith is answered with comfort and felt healing power, yet it is not satisfied with partial relief but presses for entire restoration and expects to see and feel more of the salvation of God. It believes the one restored will yet live to sound God's last warning to the world, and it brings peace like a river, triumph in God, unspeakable gratitude for tokens of His love, and renewed dedication to Him.
The blind beggar by the highway also pictures the sinner hardened in sin, unbelief and transgression, blind to the higher interests of the soul and to the blessed attractions of a heavenly life in the city of God, without hope and without God. He has labored for that which is not bread, sacrificed peace and honor and the companionship of the children of God, even his own children, to walk without obstruction in his own way. He has striven to content himself in secret sinful pleasure and base gratification irrespective of God and heaven. While Jesus of Nazareth is passing by, He offers such a one what is most needed, which is of infinite gain even if it cost the toil and suffering of a whole lifetime.
Such a sin-hardened soul, separated from God and bound by his own wicked course and standing on the very borders of the eternal world, may still fall upon the Rock Christ Jesus and be broken before it is utterly too late. He must throw himself at the feet of Jesus even at the eleventh hour without waiting, reasoning or delay, crying with a broken repentant heart for mercy while others bid him hold his peace. He must break the bands of Satan, risk everything, get away from the place of wickedness, refuse Satan's suggestions and every voice telling him to keep silent, confess sins to God and to those wronged, and make thorough work of repentance to grasp the crown of life. For Jesus of Nazareth is passing by to pardon sin and rescue out of the snare of the devil those who come to Him without delay. If he so comes, God will not leave him to perish, but God alone will touch his heart with new tenderness and lead him to feel the obligations to God that he has so long perverted.