The blind man who shouted louder · Jesus stops for those who cry out
A Bible story to tell as a family · Mark 10:46–52 · ages 4–12 · 10 min
The story
Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. He had already told his disciples what would happen there: he would be handed over, condemned and killed, and on the third day he would rise again. On the way, he passed through Jericho, a very old city near the Jordan River, famous since the days of Joshua. As he was leaving, a huge crowd went with him, making noise and raising dust.
By the side of the road, sitting on the ground, was a man named Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus. He was blind and a beggar: he spent his days asking for money, listening to the footsteps of those passing by. He couldn’t see the crowd, but he could hear it. Thump, thump, thump, footsteps and voices. And then he found out: it was Jesus of Nazareth passing by!
Bartimaeus didn’t think twice. He filled his lungs and shouted: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Son of David! That was how people spoke of the promised king, the Messiah God had announced. The blind man couldn’t see a thing, but he was seeing something that many people with good eyes did not: who Jesus was.
Many people told Bartimaeus to be quiet. Shh! Be quiet! How embarrassing! But do you know what he did? Maybe this was his only chance. He shouted even louder: “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Sometimes we give up praying when others think it isn’t worth it. Bartimaeus didn’t give up.
And then the whole crowd stopped, because Jesus stopped. In the middle of so many people, on the way to the most important mission of his life, Jesus stopped for a blind beggar. And he said: “Call him.” The same people who had told him to be quiet were now saying: “Take courage!” And: “Get up! He is calling for you.”
Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, probably one of the few things he owned, jumped up and came to Jesus. Jesus asked a question that seems obvious: “What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus wanted to hear the request from his own mouth. And Bartimaeus answered: “Rabboni,” and then: “let me see again.” Rabboni means my teacher.
Jesus said: “Go,” and added: “your faith has healed you.” And at once Bartimaeus’s eyes were opened. Imagine: maybe the first thing he saw was Jesus’ face! Jesus had said go, but Bartimaeus didn’t go home: he followed Jesus along the road. The road that led to Jerusalem, to the cross and to the resurrection.
46Next, they came to Jericho. And as Jesus and His disciples were leaving Jericho with a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting beside the road. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48Many people admonished him to be silent, but he cried out all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man. “Take courage!” they said. “Get up! He is calling for you.” 50Throwing off his cloak, Bartimaeus jumped up and came to Jesus. 51“What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “Rabboni,” said the blind man, “let me see again.” 52“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
What the Bible says
- v. 47: Bartimaeus shouts: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
- v. 49: Jesus stops and has the blind man called.
- v. 52: Bartimaeus immediately receives his sight and follows Jesus along the road.
What we learn
Bartimaeus could not see, but he recognized Jesus as the Son of David, the promised king. When the crowd tried to silence him, he cried out louder, and Jesus stopped for him, even on his way to the cross. Jesus is never too busy for someone who asks for mercy. And the healing wasn’t the end of the story: Bartimaeus used his new eyes to follow Jesus along the road. That is faith: crying out to Jesus, trusting him and walking behind him.
Questions to talk about
For little ones
- What did Bartimaeus shout to Jesus?
- What did Bartimaeus throw aside when Jesus called him?
For kids
- Why did people tell Bartimaeus to be quiet? Why didn’t he stop shouting?
- Jesus stopped for Bartimaeus. What does that show about how Jesus listens to you?
For teens
- Bartimaeus had to face pressure from the crowd to get to Jesus. What voices today try to convince you it isn’t worth seeking Jesus?
For adults
- If Jesus asked you today what you want him to do for you, what would your honest answer be?
Activity
Bartimaeus in the living room: one person is blindfolded, sitting on the floor, with a cloth over their shoulders (the cloak). The others walk around making crowd noise. When someone announces: Jesus is passing by!, the blindfolded person shouts: Son of David, have mercy on me! Everyone goes shh!, and they shout even louder. Then someone says: take courage, he is calling for you! They throw off the cloak, take off the blindfold and follow whoever is playing Jesus around the house. Take turns.
To memorize: Mark 10:47
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us. Thank you that you stop to hear those who cry out. Open our eyes to see you and give us courage to follow you along the road, even when others tell us to be quiet. In Jesus’ name, amen.