“Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. And answering him, Jesus said, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ And the blind man said to Him, ‘Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!’” (Mark 10:50–51, NASB).

Mark tells us of a poignant moment in our Savior’s ministry. Just outside the city of Jericho, only days before the Lord Jesus would enter Jerusalem for the last time in His earthly ministry, sat a blind beggar. His plaintive cry, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me,” was heard above the din of the crowd and intensified as the Lord passed by. Becoming aware of the man, Jesus stopped, and asked, “What would you have me do for you?”—a question with a seemingly obvious answer for the Messiah to ask a blind man. The blind beggar’s response was equally obvious, as he threw off his garment and jumped to his feet saying, “Master, I want to regain my sight.”

What seems like only a lesson in the obvious is designed to uncover an undergirding truth found in the name by which Bartimaeus addresses Jesus: “Rabboni” or “my Master.” To call Jesus “Master” or “Teacher” carries with it a confession of trust in His Lordship and yet a tone of warmth as in a personal friendship. There are hints here of a deeper relationship born out of a child-like trust in this One whom he first called “Son of David” or “Messiah” and now calls “My Master.”

Here on a dusty road outside of Jericho a blind beggar found physical sight, but, more importantly, found the One who is the source of light and spiritual life—He who is both Messiah and Master. As Mark writes, “Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has made you well. Immediately, he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.”

As with Bartimaeus of old, may our faith grow ever deeper in an intimacy that trusts Him for our every need, and may we truly be able to say this Christmas, “He is My Master.”