So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Mark 10:50 – 51

Jesus is walking from Jericho to Jerusalem. I believe Jericho to be Samaritan country. I can find no clear evidence to substantiate my stance. But if Jericho was Samaritan country it means that Bartimaeus could well have been of Samaritan descent, making him doubly handicapped. But while I introduce the possibility I cannot use this as part of my reflection.

Persons who are blind usually have heightened hearing abilities. They are able to tell who entered a room by the sound of their steps or how they move. Familiarity causes them to do that. Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus and refers to him as Son of David. Giving one the sense that he knew the significance of who Jesus was. For Bartimaeus Jesus was not just any healer. He was from the line of David and so divinely appointed. Similar to the kind of esteem that Haile Selassie is held by some Rastas. He therefore calls out in expectation of great things happening when Jesus hears him. He calls out despite persons saying shush. When he is heard, He throws of his cloak.
This action implies one who was not afraid to take on challenges. I do not believe I am being overly dramatic but the passage says he threw off his coat and sprang up. Suggesting a swift action with no hesitation. The word used for throwing off his coat is used one other time in the bible in Hebrews 10:35 where the writer says . And it speaks to boldness. It says “Do not, therefore, abandon that boldness of yours; it brings a great reward. Bartimaeus was bold in coming forward for healing and we too must be bold in coming to Jesus. We must not be afraid when things are difficult. Putting the 2 passages together. We must be bold, because in boldness there is great reward. Bartimaeus wasted no time when given the opportunity to be healed. He did not wonder if it would happen. He did not listen to the crowd even though some were willing to cheer him on once Jesus had acknowledged him. It shows us that Things did not happen by wishing them to happen. We must throw off the coat. The coat that has covered us that has sheltered us. The coat that has kept us secure yet it may be preventing us from moving forward. The time had come for Bartimaeus to throw off the coat as it hampered him getting to Jesus. So we should see what is hampering us and through it off as we look boldly to Jesus for healing and restoration.

We in our lives have many things that have been a cloak to us. Relationships, physical health, what others say, what we once believed to be true. Many times our cloak is not on the outside but within us. Our bruised egos and our insecurities. Sometimes it is our backward thinking. Things like women should not wear pants is a good example of what I am driving at or the wearing of anklets. These are outward things and do not speak to the heart. Sometimes our cloak is our friends who we are afraid will no longer be our friends if we do not stand with them. If we look at Bartimaeus he recognized he was hampered. The cloak was probably heavy so he threw it off so he could move faster and claim what was to be his blessing of sight.

A blessing awaits us too. But we have to throw off our cloaks. And spring up. We need to embrace the healing and change that awaits us by giving ourselves over fully to Jesus, knowing that what we receive is better than where we were before. May the strength of God pilot us. May the power of God preserve us. May the wisdom of God instruct us. May the hand of God protect us. May the way of God direct us. May the shield of God defend us. May the host of God guard us against the snares of evil and the temptations of the world. Where God is all is well all will be well. All manner of things will be well.