Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."
"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
The blind man got it. James and John, who had been traveling with Jesus and hearing him teach for a long time, missed it. He shows us a model of prayer and response.
First, he calls out to Jesus, recognizing His lordship (the reference to "Son of David.") Along similar lines, he simply is asking for mercy (recognizing he is in need of mercy). And he is persistent, even when he is mocked and rebuked by others (no doubt more "religious" and knowledgeable than he.)
Do your prayers reflect this same sense of dependence? Where James and John had acted in a presumptious manner, this guy humbled himself. He didn't ask for prominence; just for mercy. And that's exactly what he got. Are you persistent in prayer?
Finally, look at what happens at the end. Jesus tells him to go on his way. Which way does he go? He follows Jesus.
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