Term Paper CHS 2

A Term Paper
On
Curing Blind Bartimeus
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
in CHS 2- I
Reading and Interpreting the Christian Scripture
Submitted by:
Rosanne Sophia E. Gravador
Krystel Mae Santisteban
Submitted to:
Prof. Emerenciano E. Guazon, Jr.
January 9, 2020
Biblical Text
Curing Blind Bartimeus [Mk. 10:46f.; Lk. 18:35f] taken from the Today’s
English Version Bible.
Mk. 10:46f Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus: 46They came to Jericho, and as
Jesus was leaving with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named
Bartimaeus son of Timaeus was sitting by the road. 47When he heard that it was
Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus! Son of David! Have mercy on me!”
48Many of the people scolded him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted even
more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me! 49Jesus stopped and said, “Call
him.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up!” they said. “Get up, he is calling
you.” 50So he threw off his cloak, jumped up and came to Jesus. 51“What do you
want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. “Teacher,” the blind man answered, “I
want to see again.” 52”Go,” Jesus told him, “your faith has made you well.” At
oncehe was able to see and followed Jesus on the road.
Lk. 18:35f Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar : 35As Jesus was coming near Jericho,
there was a blind man sitting by the road, begging. 36When he heard the crowd
passing by, he asked, “What is this?” 37Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they
told him. 38He cried out, “Jesus! Son of David! Have mercy on me!” 39The people
in front scolded him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted even more loudly,
“Son of David! Have mercy on me!” 40So Jesus stopped and ordered the blind
man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41”What do you
want me to do for you?” “Sir,” he answered, “I want to see again.” 42Jesus said
to him, “Then, see! Your faith has made you well.” 43At once he was able to see,
and he followed Jesus, giving thanks to God. When the crowd saw it, they all
praised God.
Setting of the Story
According to Clendenin (2015), the story of Bartimaeus was a transition

story with a palpable sense of geographic movement. It happened around the
11th century and just before the healing of the blind man, Jesus’ disciples were
on their way to Jerusalem when they encountered Bartimaeus along the
crowded streets of Jericho.
Characters
Jesus- son of David, Messiah who healed the blind man
Bartimaeus- blind beggar who is known to be the son of Timaeus who was
healed by Jesus in the streets of Jericho
Disciples- Jesus’ followers who were with Him as they were travelling to
Jerusalem
Biblical Interpretation (use 2 major books)
According to the author John Burt, the Healing stories like “The Blind
Bartimeus”, especially those that call attention to a sufferer's faith, can present
difficulties for preachers. There are obvious dangers in drawing simplistic
connections between faith and health. Likewise, we must reject suggestions
that illness results from one's sins. Sensitive preachers will avoid chastising
even indirectly the broken and despised for their lack of faith. Preachers cannot
promise cures; they promise what Jesus promises on the "way" that leads to
the cross. Nevertheless, congregations can in their community, practices,
advocacy, and architecture imperfectly embody and proclaim the wholeness to
which Jesus restores Bartimaeus.
Those difficulties, however, cannot allow us to shy away from the images of
faith that Bartimaeus provides or to avoid considering how faith clings to Jesus
no matter what. Among other things, this story invites us to consider how faith
is manifested, nurtured, and stunted within communities.
Mark's narrative compels us to consider the various roles characters play in
this scene, and also the various situations in and around our congregational
and communal life: Bartimaeus with his needs and prophetic insights, Jesus
with his compassion and grace, the crowd with its determination to keep
Bartimaeus both blind and invisible, and others with the opportunity to guide
him to Jesus with the hopeful words, "Take courage; get up; he's calling you!"1
The spatial dimensions of this story contribute to our understanding of

Bartimaeus' salvation. Bartimaeus begins the story alongside the road. He ends
the story as a follower. He follows Jesus on the road. The shift of prepositions
reflects Bartimaeus' move from the invisible periphery of society to the heart of
the scene. The movement also suggests more when we consider that "road" a
term Mark uses to indicate Jesus' journey to Jerusalem and his suffering, the
same "way" that he calls his followers to walk
In Mark, Bartimaeus is not the first person seeking a miracle who approaches
Jesus in faith, but he is the only one who winds up following him, presumably
straight into Jerusalem and into his confrontation with the temple-based
aristocracy. After ten chapters full of so much secrecy, confusion, and
misapprehension, Bartimaeus shows Mark's readers that faith in Jesus
remains possible and potent. Without Bartimaeus, and others in Mark like him
who tenaciously cling to Jesus out of faith born from their urgent needs, this
Gospel would offer little assurance that anyone could have the spiritual insight
to perceive the mysterious ways of God in the person and ministry of Jesus
Christ.2
1
Burt, J. (2018). Blind Bartimaeus His Story. New York, NY: American Press
Inc.
2
Hansen, R. (2018). What can we learn from blind Bartimaeus?. Abingdon,
England: Routledge.
Contemporary Significance
Blindness does only mean to be physical. In our world today, most of us

are blinded to see of what is happening right now in our society. Unless we
confess our need, showing our desire to have the need filled by Christ, He will
take no action. The same is true in the matter of salvation: We must confess
that we are a sinner if we expect to be forgiven and saved.
The fact that their eyes can now see alludes not only to receiving physical
sight, but also—more importantly—to their eyes being opened spiritually,
verified by the words “and they followed Him” . The world ridicules Christians
for calling out to God in faith, but this is exactly what the Son of God wants us
to do. Many who are spiritually blind to God’s truth have a bitter attitude,
disliking those whose eyes are opened to Christ, the only path to salvation.3
Since Bartimaeus was blind, he likely felt a certain tension in straining

to ascertain Jesus’ reaction to his shout. No doubt, he felt great relief when He
responded with compassion. Most people do not realize how far they are from
God and the wonderful gifts He offers to those who respond to His call.
However, because they will not cast off their self-righteousness, they remain
alienated from Him, at enmity with Christ. When God calls, we must lay aside
every weight and enticing sin.
As the omniscient One, Jesus knew what they needed. However, He often
questioned those desiring healing, prompting them to express their need and
faith in words so that, in a fuller exercise of faith, they would be prepared to
receive the desired blessing. His question, is intended to produce a dynamic
exercise of faith in the men and to be a sign that He was willing to aid them.
3
Skinner, M. (2009). Commentary on Mark 10:46-52. Retrieved from
https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=466
Bibliography
Burt, J. (2018). Blind Bartimaeus His Story. New York, NY: American Press Inc.
Clendenin, D. (18 October 2015). Blind Bartimaeus. Retrieved from:

https://www.journeywithjesus.net/essays/412-blind-bartimaeus
Cline, A. (2019). Jesus Heals the Blind Bartimeus (Mark 10:46-52). Retrieved
from https://www.learnreligions.com/jesus-heals-the-blind-bartimeus-
248728
Hansen, R. (2018). What can we learn from blind Bartimaeus?. Abingdon,

England: Routledge.
Skinner, M. (2009). Commentary on Mark 10:46-52. Retrieved from

https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=466

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A Term Paper

Curing Blind Bartimeus

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

Reading and Interpreting the Christian Scripture

Rosanne Sophia E. Gravador

Krystel Mae Santisteban

Prof. Emerenciano E. Guazon, Jr.

According to Clendenin (2015), the story of Bartimaeus was a transition

Jesus- son of David, Messiah who healed the blind man

Biblical Interpretation (use 2 major books)

The spatial dimensions of this story contribute to our understanding of

Blindness does only mean to be physical. In our world today, most of us

Since Bartimaeus was blind, he likely felt a certain tension in straining

Clendenin, D. (18 October 2015). Blind Bartimaeus. Retrieved from:

Hansen, R. (2018). What can we learn from blind Bartimaeus?. Abingdon,

Skinner, M. (2009). Commentary on Mark 10:46-52. Retrieved from

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