Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus

Introduction

What do we say of people who cannot see? What do you think
causes people not to be able to see? Just imagine putting on your
clothes in the morning. What would be difficult about that if you
couldn’t see?
What is a beggar? Why would a person who couldn’t see have to
beg for money?
Show the children a picture of Jerusalem in Jesus’ time. Talk about how the houses are different from modern houses in this country.

Not just another day

Slowly… close your eyes. What can you see? Nothing.
When our eyes are closed we are unable to see at all. Imagine what
it must be like to live like that. Not seeing where you are.
Not seeing the food in front of you. Not seeing if it is safe to cross the road. Not seeing the person sitting next to you.
How would you manage?
Using our imagination, we’re going back to Bible times. Your home is in the town of Jericho. It’s about 15 miles from Jerusalem. Every morning you leave your house. You walk slowly to the gate of the town. You walk slowly because you cannot see where you are going. You are blind. Do you think people help you? Can you recognize some of the voices?
‘Hello, Bartimaeus,’ says one familiar voice.
‘How are you today?’ says another.
‘Watch out, Bartimaeus!’ shouts a third. ‘There’s a deep hole just in front of you.’
So it’s another day begging by the gate of the town. Can you feel the sun beating down? Every now and then, the dust blows in your face as a donkey is ridden past you. What a way to spend every day—calling out as you hear footsteps coming, your hand held in front of you, hoping for a coin. Will people be kind and give you money?

There seem to be a lot of people about today. Then you remember… in a day or two is the feast of Passover. Hundreds of people will be coming through the town on their way to Jerusalem. Can you hear the name everyone is talking about? Yes, that’s right, it’s Jesus. Yes, you’ve heard about Jesus. Didn’t someone say that he heals people who are unwell?

Perhaps… just perhaps… Jesus could help you. Perhaps Jesus could make you see. That would be fantastic after all these years in the dark. Fancy seeing children’s faces. Fancy seeing trees and animals and mountains. But will he help you? How will he even know you’re there? The crowd is pushing round you. Something must be happening. What are people saying? Jesus is coming. He’s coming down the road. He will soon be passing through the gate just where you’re sitting. ‘Son of David! Jesus! Have pity on me!’ You have never shouted louder. ‘Be quiet, Bartimaeus,’ some people in the crowd shout at you. But they don’t know what it’s like living in the dark.

‘Jesus, help me!’ You shout even louder. The crowd goes quiet. Jesus is speaking.
‘Call him over,’ says Jesus.
‘Come on,’ says a friendly voice in the crowd. ‘He’s calling for you.’

You jump up, throw off your dusty cloak, and run stumbling towards the voice. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ asks Jesus.
‘Master, I want to see!’ you say.

Then he says the words you have waited your whole life to hear.

‘Your eyes are healed because of your faith.’
Slowly, through a fog at first, you can see. You can see
Jesus standing in front of you. The crowd is around him. For the first time you see the town where you live. How do you feel? What do you say? What do you think about the people you are looking at? Are they as you imagined them? What do you notice about their clothes? Are the colours bright? Do they surprise you?

Follow-up

Draw a picture of Jesus and Bartimaeus with the crowd. How will Bartimaeus’ face look? Will he be happy? Will he be surprised? How will the rest of the crowd look? What kind of clothes will people be wearing?

Prayer