It was a warm day in the heart of Kaduna. The afternoon sun beat down on a humble gathering of people at a local market near the historic Kajuru Road. The junction was old and busy—traders shouting lively calls, conductors of mini-buses creating a clamour.
Amidst the chaos sat a blind man named Barta, quietly positioned on a rough mat. He relied on the charity of passersby to survive. Though his eyes had never seen the bright colours of Kaduna’s ancient city, his soul brimmed with ƙwarin zuciya—unshakable hope and faith.
On that warm day, word spread quickly: Yesu, the remarkable teacher and healer, was making His way through the city. People whispered excitedly in Hausa: “Kai, wannan Yesu na da iko!” (Wow, this Yesu has power!).
Barta’s ears caught the whispers. It wasn’t the first time the Prophet Yesu had passed through, but something about this day stirred him. His heart leapt. “Today looks like the day,” he thought.
With a resilient spirit, he began to shout. Loud. “Yesu! Yesu! Kai ne na ce, Allah ya aiko maka, don Allah ka zo!” (Yesu! Yesu! I knew you were the one sent by God, please come!).
SIMILAR: When Jesus Passed Through AJ City; Clout, Chaos & Conversion
His plea pierced through the hum of the market. Traders selling suya, masa, and fura da nunu paused. Some tried to quiet him, saying: “Barta, za ka moremu, ka yi shiru, ba kana da hankali?” (Barta, you’ll embarrass us, be quiet, are you okay?).
But Barta’s cry wasn’t for show—it was a desperate appeal born from years of darkness, from a longing for healing. He’d heard of others being healed. He wanted that too. He didn’t stop.
Then, Yesu paused near a row of ancient mud-brick houses. His humble attire and calm aura commanded quiet reverence. His eyes scanned the crowd—then settled on Barta.
With a gentle smile, Yesu walked over. He bent slightly and said in a voice that was both kind and commanding:
“Barta, I have heard your cry. I will make you whole.”
Then He gently laid His hand on Barta’s eyes.
In that sacred moment, a warm light stirred within Barta. It wasn’t just his eyes adjusting to the world—it was his soul being reawakened. Slowly, surely, his vision returned.
He began to see the intricate patterns of local architecture, the worn faces of elders under a baobab tree, and the colorful market stalls brimming with life. A rush of amazement filled him.
“Na ga! Na ga! Yanzu duniya ta sauya!” (I see! I see! Now the world has changed!).
Then, just as Barta was getting up to hug the nearest human being, Major Barde—one of Yesu’s escorts—got a phone call. It was from one of the guards back at the army base.
He turned and shouted across the crowd, “Oga! That your man wey dem say no fit see or stand again—e don stand up o! E say make dem give am indomie!”
Gasps echoed around. The crowd’s earlier teasing turned into awe. Murmurs filled the air: “Kai, wannan lamari ba kowa ke samu ba. Wannan Yesu gaskiya yana da iko.” (This kind of thing doesn’t happen every day. This Yesu really has power).
That day, in the middle of Kaduna, hope showed up.
As Barta journeyed through the dusty roads of Kaduna telling his story, people listened. Not just because he could now see—but because hope had become real. Tangible. It wore the sandals of a man called Yesu.
NB: This story is a reimagining of the biblical account of blind Bartimaeus from Luke 18:35–43. In the Bible, Bartimaeus cries out to Jesus for healing, despite being rebuked by the crowd. His persistent faith results in a miraculous restoration of his sight. In this modern telling set in Kaduna, Nigeria, Barta represents everyday Nigerians who hold on to faith despite hardship. The miracle reminds us that hope can arrive anywhere—even in the middle of a bustling market.
KloutBox #StreetsOfSalvation Series
This story is part of the KloutBox #StreetsOfSalvation series, a special Easter edition reimagining the Gospel and the life of Jesus in today’s Naija. Subscribe to our newsletter here so you can be the first to know when we release the next story in the series.
