Article December 25, 1926 Issue

"Blind Bartimæus"

JULIA J. HOMERMILLER

In the tenth chapter of the Gospel according to Mark it is related that as Jesus "went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimæus, the son of Timæus, sat by the highway side begging." When this blind man "heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me;" and the Scripture relates that "many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal." Then in obedience to the loving command of Jesus, he cast away his garment, arose, came to him, received his sight—was made whole.

A "beggar" is one who asks alms, one who appeals to the human sense of pity. The word also signifies one who, first of all, pities himself, indulging in the false belief of a selfhood separated from the abundance of infinite good. This condition of thought opens the door for a troop of evil beliefs to enter, such as discouragement, slothfulness, and general inactivity. When the beggar of the narrative heard that Jesus was passing by, he began to make an effort to avail himself of the divine aid which was so necessary to his happiness and wellbeing. So-called mortal mind sought to obstruct the fulfillment of his desire by telling him to hold his peace; but he paid no attention to the suggestion, and was the more importunate in his seeking. Jesus asked no questions about his former condition or present environment, simply saying, "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?" The final outcome was that "he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way."

To-day is there not many a blind Bartimæus by the roadside who has long been deluded into believing that there is no help for erroneous conditions outside of matter? There is no record that Bartimæus had ever before asked for anything but material aid. When the presence of the Christ, however, was made manifest to him, he was healed. Does not this indicate to those who profess to be followers of the truth, as taught in Christian Science, that they should be ever ready and alert to declare the presence of the Christ? On page 13 of "Science and Health with key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, we read, "The world of error is ignorant of the world of Truth, —blind to the reality of man's existence, —for the world of sensation is not cognizant of life in Soul, not in body."

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