The story of a blind beggar climaxes Mark’s teaching on faith and discipleship (Season 2). In this season finale, Mark compares the beggar with the disciples - James and John. Just earlier these "Sons of Thunder" asked Jesus for the top cabinet posts in his upcoming administration. The blind beggar on the other hand sought no positions of glory or power. He didn't want to be seen. He wanted to see. The grounds for the disciple's request? - entitlement. The grounds for his request? - mercy. Ironically, blind Bartimaeus sees Jesus more clearly than those with two good eyes. Blind beggars often do. They are not blinded to their blindness and poverty as the disciples were. Jesus has not not come to call the righteous, but sinners (Mark 2:16-18).
Next week: We move into Season 3. The third and final section of Mark.