Bartimaeus - a forgotten hero of Easter

He was one of the forgotten heroes of the Easter Bartimaeus went from being blind Begger in the dust outside Jericho - to a committed and sighted follower of Jesus – two weeks before His crucifixion and resurrection 

Today are going to see what he saw – and how he inspired the Jesus Prayer

Jericho more than 800 feet below sea level.  It is often an unbearably hot dusty city at the head of the Dead Sea – the lowest place on earth with summer temperatures often in 40s

What were the major events of Bartimaeus’s calling  

When he heard Jesus coming, he called out “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 

When told to be quiet he Bartimaeus persisted.

When Jesus restored his sight, it was life was changing event for him. The first person he saw was Jesus! He abandoned everything immediately followed him – he did not look back. He lived through the two weeks which changed the world – full of major events

What happened during those two weeks

Bartimaeus would have walked with Jesus up the desert road from Jerico to Jerusalem  

Bartimaeus would have seen Lazarus raised from the dead – A major event

He would have witnessed him later having supper with Jesus at Bethany – A major event

He would have been a part of Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday – major event

He would have heard about the last supper and the betrayal of Jesus – A major event

He would have witnessed his Lord Crucified – Major traumatic event

He would have a been in Jerusalem at his resurrection – A major event

According to st Paul He would been among the more than 500 people who witness one of Our Lords appearances during the 40 day period after his resurrection – A major event

He would have certainly be present at Pentecost when the disciples received the holy spirit – a major event

Crucially throughout this time Bartimaeus would have met and mixed with O Lord’s disciples. Peter, John James etc – these were the people who changed the world – carried our Lords message – converted ten of thousands of people – they were the early church

What did Bartimaeus leave us? Bartimaeus left us not only his example but the Jesus Prayer

St Paul said above all pray without ceasing – but not how!

The answer is the Jesus Prayer – the words of Bartimaeus 

“Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me".

The use of the prayer has its roots in early 4th-century Egyptian monasticism and is highly regarded for its simplicity and power to foster inner stillness. It is used during set times of meditation or continuously throughout daily activities. It is widely used by the Eastern Church

Another version is "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"

My own version Dear Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner”

Personally I find that it is the only way to even approach praying without ceasing 

Finally we have to be thankful for the faith and commitment of a blind begger sitting in the dust outside Jericho

He believed, he followed, he was recorded and above all gave us the Jesus prayer. 

Amen