He Cried the More

The Story

On the road out of Jericho sat a blind man named Bartimaeus. Every day he sat by the roadside, begging.

One day he heard a large crowd passing by and asked what was happening. Someone told him: Jesus of Nazareth was coming through.

Bartimaeus started shouting. “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me!”

People around him told him to be quiet. A blind beggar shouldn’t make such a scene. But the Bible says “he cried the more a great deal.” He shouted even louder: “Thou Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped. With the whole crowd around Him, He stood still and said, “Call him.”

The same people who had told Bartimaeus to be quiet now said, “Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.” Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

Jesus asked him, “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?” It was obvious, but Jesus wanted to hear him say it.

“Lord, that I might receive my sight.”

“Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.” Immediately, Bartimaeus could see. And he didn’t go his own way. He followed Jesus down the road.

Reflection