Some years ago, an unexpected snowstorm left my region of the country without power for almost a week. It was cold, difficult to sleep, impossible to cook. One of the hardest aspects was the darkness. With no streetlights, citizens could not see hazards in the way. At home, the darkness disoriented and isolated. The snowstorm disrupted familiar routines, and moving in darkness required concentration and effort.
I experienced the darkness as a brief inconvenience. But for those with visual impairments, darkness affects everything. Bartimaeus lived in the disruption of darkness, in isolation and helplessness. His blindness had pushed him to the margins of society; he was ignored and invisible, unworthy of notice or attention. Because he could not see, others usually did not see him. But those who are visually impaired often have other highly developed senses, and Bartimaeus heard things that others may not have heard. He knows something about Jesus that they seem not to have noticed: “When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’”
Bartimaeus recognizes Jesus as the Son of David, the Messiah. Jesus, in turn, sees the beggar for who he really is, the son (Bar) of Timaeus (honor or value)—a valued child of God. And when Bartimaeus cries out for mercy, for relief from his suffering, Jesus stops in his tracks and has those in the crowd call Bartimaeus to him. I imagine Jesus continues to speak, giving Bartimaeus a word to guide him and help him find his way. And then he asks the beggar a question he has asked others, ”What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:36). This time he grants the request. Bartimaeus can see!