Bartimaeus is introduced (as people often are) by his disability first and his name second. His friends had taken him to his favorite corner in downtown Jericho. There he sat shaking his cup. He could hear there wasn’t much in it.
As he thought about some of his life choices that caused him to lose sight of who he was; he started hearing a commotion. It was coming closer. Bartimaeus asked, What’s going on? The teacher from Nazareth we’ve heard about is coming down the street, someone told him.
Bartimaeus had heard people talking about all the miracles he had done. The noise grew loud, that must be him. Bartimaeus put his cup down and hollered at the top of his lungs, Son of David, have mercy on me!
Shut up that noise! Some told Bartimaeus. He knew their voices and who they were, but he didn’t have time to cuss them out. He remembered what his mama used to say, What he’s done for others, he’ll do for you and turned up the volume.
Jesus zeroed in on Bartimaeus heartfelt cry and said to the crowd, Call him. Hey BT, get up, he’s calling you.
Bartimaeus jumped up, throwing off his jean jacket which doubled as pillow and started walking…slowly, hand arms and hands reaching out, feeling, even smelling til he sensed a spirit of help not harm. Suddenly he felt a warmth radiating from something or someone and stopped.
What do you want me to do for you? The voice was calm yet firm. Bartimaeus thought, Man you can’t see that I can’t, but said desperately, Teacher I just wanna see.
Jesus said, I didn’t your prayer, but I saw your walk…of faith. Look around you and go.
Bartimaeus looked around at the people who had told him to shut up and then turned back to Jesus. He looked him the eye and said, I sho’ will…with you.
I don’t want to see or be around anyone who has a problem with me wanting to get myself together, to be better but are ok with me being a beggar. Lead the way.
