Article February 9, 2015 Issue

Receptive hearts—and the touch of the Christ

Martin Vesely

As I began to study the Bible Lesson from the Christian Science Quarterly for one particular week, I found it included the story of the healing of Bartimæus, a blind beggar (see Mark 10:46–52). I began to think deeply about that man’s desire to be healed and his encounter with Christ Jesus on the road from Jericho. The question came to thought: “How does this story from about 2,000 years ago relate to people seeking spiritual healing today? Is it relevant?”

Although I had read this account many times, this time three simple words stood out to me: “He calleth thee” (verse 49). Imagine the anticipation of knowing that something wonderful is about to happen to you. A life-changing experience. These words carry that promise and its fulfillment. It is the response that Bartimæus heard as he cried out to Jesus in hopes of being healed.

The determination in his cries could not be stifled. The words “He calleth thee” meant only one thing—healing! The Christ, Truth, had come, and as a result the blind could see, the deaf could hear, and the lame could walk. As the mortal illusion of life in matter was put off and thought rose to meet the Christ-idea, sin, sickness, and death were destroyed, character was transformed, and life renewed. And so it was for Bartimæus.

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