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This chapter concludes with the recital of a famous miracle wrought by our Saviour upon a blind man, whom St. Mark calls Bartimeus.
Where we have observable, 1. The blind man's faith in acknowledging Christ to be the Messiah; for so much the title of Son of David did import.
Observe, 2. His fervency as well as his faith: he cried to Christ for the mercy of of healing, Have mercy on me, thou Son of David. A true sense of want, either bodily or spiritual, will cause a soul to cry of Christ with earnestness and importunity.
Observe, 3. The great compassion and condescension of Christ towards this blind man : He stood still, he called him, and enlightened his eyes.
Observe, 4. Before Christ would restore the blind man to sight, he must sensibly complain of the want of sight, and cry unto him for it. Christ knows all his creatures' wants, but takes no notice of them, till they make them known to him by prayer.
Observe, 5. How much Christ magnifies faith, what he attributes to it, and how he rewards the least exercise of it: Jesus said, thy faith hath saved thee. Christ himself was the efficient cause of the blind man's healing, but he exerted his divine power upon the exercise of the blind man's faith; and accordingly says, Thy faith hath saved thee.
Note, 6. In what way and manner the blind man does express his thankfulness to Christ for his recovered sight: He followed him, glorifiying God. Mercy received from Christ is then well improved when it engages us to follow Christ; this should be the effect of all salvations wrought for us. He praises God best, that serves him most. The life of thankfulness consists in the thankfulness of the life.