“Your faith has saved you.” This is one of the most powerful—and misunderstood—statements in the Bible. First of all, the word for salvation and health are the same. Does Jesus proclaim him “healed” or “saved?” Is there a difference? What is salvation, anyway? Saved from what? Saved for what?

What, exactly, is “faith,” and what does it have to do with salvation and healing? And was there something distinct about the faith of Bartimaeus—“YOUR faith”—that was remarkable? Why does one person get healed, when SO MANY others over the centuries—blind, dying, desperate—do not receive the healing?

These are huge questions, and I don’t pretend to know all the answers. But maybe today’s reading from Mark 10:46-52 can point us to the mercy of Jesus and the source of our hope. Let us pray: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us. Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. Jesus, Son of David, have mercy. Amen.

Mark 10:46-52

The holy Gospel according to St Mark, the tenth chapter, beginning at verse 46:

46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.