Jesus of Nazareth!  He had heard of him and thought of him as he sat there begging, weary day after weary day.  The news of Jesus’s astounding miracles had convinced him that Jesus was the Messiah, the Saviour-King of the line of David whom all awaited; convinced him too that if ever he was to receive his sight it was from Jesus that he would receive it.

At once, therefore, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  (RSV, Luke 18:38).  It was not so easy, however, to get hold of Our Lord because those at the front of the crowd roughly told him to be quiet.  But Bartimaeus knew that it was now or never and he shouted at the top of his voice in an effort to make himself heard above all opposition.

Directly Jesus heard him, he stopped and called for him to be brought; whereupon Bartimaeus flung off his cloak so that nothing would hinder him, and came forward unaided (Mark, 10:49-50).  “What do you want me to do for you?” asked Jesus.  And he said, “Lord, let me receive my sight”.  And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well”.  “And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God…” (RSV, Luke 18:41-43).