Have you noticed how the encounter with Bartimaeus is closely linked with the request of James and John, the sons of Zebedee. In the Gospel it follows immediately after these two disciples request to be seated at the right and left hand of our Lord—this is why we hear it in the Gospel immediately afterward.
It can seem like St. Mark is simply recounting a series of events and continues the narrative as Jesus leaves Jericho and is journeying toward Jerusalem, much like parents may ask their children to recount their day at the dinner table. However, Sacred Scripture is always much more intentional than that. Or we might better say, Jesus, in each of his encounters, was much more intentional and planned. This was not a random encounter.
Both events feature a request to our Lord, but with some noticeable differences. In the first, James and John tell Jesus: “We want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” Then, the account continues as Jesus tries to redirect their request and confesses to them that what they asked is not his to give. On the other hand, Bartimaeus is asked by Jesus: “What do you want me to do for you?” He asks to see , and Jesus immediately grants his request.
There is, of course, the spiritual irony that the man who cannot see asks for the right thing, and the disciples who can see, cannot see what they should be asking for. And there is also a contrast between James and John initiating the request, and Jesus asking Bartimaeus what he wants. James and John asked for honors and places of pride, while Bartimaeus asked for healing, restoration and his mercy (or pity).
I think there is something significant here about what we ask for and how we approach God in prayer. But there is also something that is most significant about the connection between these two encounters: Following the Lord.
Immediately after receiving his sight, Bartimaeus follows Jesus. The Gospel is pointing us toward following him. Being able to see, and healing his blindness, allowed him to follow. Jesus’s question to James and John was also about following him: Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized? In other words, he asked them if they could follow him.
In his blindness, Bartimaeus longed to follow Christ, but saw what was preventing him from doing so. Do you know, can you see what is keeping you from following Christ in every way? Are there areas in your life that you know aren’t in line with Christ, but you aren’t able to follow him? Are you ready to ask him to cure your blindness, or even to give you the strength to drink from the cup that he drank from?