Theme: Faith

The blind man of Jericho

Many years ago, at the time when Jesus lived among us, there was in the city of Jericho a man named Bartimaeus, who was blind.

Bartimaeus, besides being blind, was a beggar. His life was full of adversities and poverty. He was on the streets, begging.

He didn't see with his eyes, but he paid attention and noticed, through his other senses, and also through his heart, important things that happened.

Once he heard people talking about a very good man who talked about God and healed people. He also heard that this man was called Jesus and that he talked to people who suffered from many types of problems, and they were left with their souls healed, feeling relieved and at peace.

- Where Jesus goes, everything becomes better - people said - His kindness spreads. People want to be close to him, to hear his good and wise words, to feel his sweetness that surrounds everyone in peace.

The blind man was very interested in knowing about Jesus and even more when he learned that he also cured corporal diseases. Even serious diseases like leprosy and blindness.

Bartimaeus was very humble and had a lot of faith in his heart. He trusted in God and in his goodness. And he wanted to find Jesus, but he didn't know how.

Days passed and Bartimaeus continued to hear comments about that great man:

- Jesus walks among the people and whoever has the chance to know him never forgets him.

- He is a light in the darkness!

- Jesus is sent from God. That's the only way to do what he does.

In Bartimaeus, the desire to meet Jesus grew more and more, and also the hope that he could heal him.

On a very special day, Bartimaeus was on the street, as usual, when he heard someone enthusiastically announce:

- Jesus is coming! He's coming to Jericho! Jesus is coming!

Hope grew in Bartimaeus' heart, and he was alert to everything that was going on.

The number of people on the street began to increase. He could hear the hustle and bustle of the people around him, the quick footsteps to and from.

And he began to hear people in the distance calling for Jesus:

- Jesus help me! Jesus, I want to be healed!

Bartimaeus noticed that Jesus and the crowd that followed him were approaching and without seeing with his eyes, but seeing in his heart full of faith, that the opportunity to be healed was near, he started to scream too.

- Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.

Bartimaeus, standing there, unable to see where Jesus was, unable to go after him, didn't have much chance of being able to talk to the master.

Still, he didn't give up. His faith was huge. He had confidence, he had hope. He believed that good things could happen through that man he believed to be the long-awaited messiah.

The people of that time expected that the Messiah would be born, that is, the savior, sent by God and that he would be a descendant of David. That's why Bartimaeus called Jesus the "son of David", because he really believed that Jesus was the Messiah, the one who would save the people from all evils.

The people, however, were disturbed to see Bartimaeus calling Jesus.

- Stop yelling. Do you think that here in the middle of the crowd you will be heard by Jesus?

But Bartimaeus did not stop.

- Jesus, have mercy!

Suddenly, what no one expected happened. Jesus interrupted his walk. He had perceived that call so full of feeling and faith. Jesus stopped and the whole crowd stood still waiting for what would happen. Then they heard Bartimaeus cry out, with humility and hope:

- Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!

Jesus asked his disciples to bring him the man who was calling for him.

Bartimaeus took off his beggar's cloak and was helped to reach Jesus, who asked him:

- What do you want me to do?

- Master, let me see! - replied the blind man of Jericho.

Jesus tenderly placed his hands over Bartimaeus' eyes, and he was healed. He had his sight restored and with immense joy he could see Jesus say to him:

- Go in peace - said Jesus - your faith has healed you.

Bartolomeu's humbleness in asking the master for help, his trust in him and the hope of getting what he wanted so much, made Bartimaeus be attended to.

This healing that Jesus performed not only transformed the life of a blind man, but was also a teaching that remained forever, for all humanity, about the power of faith.

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com