Timaeus was a man with disappointed hopes.  His name meant 'highly prized'; presumably he was the joy of his parents.  But his own son (Bar-timaeus) was blind.  We do not know how he became blind but his best economic hope was to be a beggar, using his sightlessness to stir charity.  Whatever his family's social status, Bartimaeus was despised and ridiculed, a grown man treated like a child.  Certainly not highly prized - at least, not by the standards of the day!  

But when Jesus comes to town, even down-trodden Bartimaeus saw a ray of hope.  Here was the Jesus everybody was talking about, the only man who could make blind people see.  His call for help is interesting. Instead of asking for new eyesight, he pleads for mercy.  Whatever his physical condition, he knew that he was undeserving of any favour from the Son of David - a messianic title.  David understood mercy, because he needed it after committing adultery and murder.  He pleaded for mercy and received it (Psalm 51:1).  The blind man had more insight than those crowding around the Master: he knew that Jesus was the Christ; that He was holy and that that he, Bartimaeus, was unholy.  That was why he did not dare to plead for healing, just mercy.  

The self-righteous crowd only saw a nuisance, but the beggar recognised no authority in their voices - he wanted Jesus to speak mercy over him.  The crowd were treating Bartimaeus as an irritating child or dog.  They should have known better: Leviticus 19:14 gives God's standard of respect for the disabled; they must not be mocked, cursed or prevented from doing the best they can.  Everybody should be honoured, however much the perfect image of God in them seems to have been spoiled.  Those abusing the disabled man were also breaking God's law.  They also needed mercy, but Bartimaeus was the only person who asked for it and received it.

Shallow religion still seeks its thrills in the next sensational event, activity, preacher or miracle.  But a deep hunger for God still calls out for mercy (Luke 18:13).  And in Jesus' ministry, He often validated the spiritual healing by restoring people's bodies and minds as well (Mark 16:20).  However, an insatiable grasping for instant divine blessings has catastrophically devalued the gospel.  The true message is not about what we can get from Jesus, but about 'peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ' (Romans 5:1): and you cannot get that without first calling for mercy from Jesus!