Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
Colin Bird
Mark 10: 46 – 52
Over the past few weeks our gospel readings have focused on events leading up to Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
You may recall a couple of weeks back that Jesus had a conversation with a young man who fell at Jesus’ feet and wanted to know what was required of him to “inherit eternal life”. He claimed that since he was a young boy, he had kept all the commandments, but when Jesus told him there was one thing that he lacked he went away saddened. The reason being, Jesus told him to sell all his possessions, give the money to the poor and follow him. Jesus knew that this was going to be a big test for him because he had considerable wealth, and whilst he may have followed all the commandments up to this point, his heart was encaged in his material wealth. He could not see the value of the spiritual wealth that Jesus was offering. The fact that he was wealthy would not preclude him from inheriting eternal life. This is the one of only a few instances where a person was required to dispense of their wealth. The motive for this requirement was focused on where the young man’s priorities lay. Jesus knew this and he walked away because the ask was too much for him. The young man lacked conviction.
Last week we heard from Joan as she related the story of James and John as they jostled for position in Jesus’ good book. Both these disciples were under the illusion that Jesus was going to defeat and overthrow the Roman occupation and take up the position of king of Israel. Of course, as loyal followers there was the expectation that Jesus would require aides or ministers to help him govern this new kingdom and they were attempting to strategically place themselves in a position whereby they would take on these most important portfolios. Just like in the previous story of the young man, their hearts were encaged in the prospect of power and authority, position and prosperity. When in fact what Jesus had in mind for them was a lifetime of servitude, the probability of persecution and the likelihood of having to give up their lives for the purpose they had signed up for. Then to burst their bubble Jesus said it was not for him to grant them a place at his side as “these places belong to those for whom they have been prepared”.
Theses disciples comprehended little of what was before them and what was to be asked of them. They were simply riding the crest of the wave of popularity that Jesus was generating wherever he went. Being part of his entourage gave them status and believing that some of Jesus’ importance would undoubtably brush off onto them. It would appear that there desire for recognition, position and popularity were steering them in a way that deviated from Jesus purpose. What they wanted was power, what they craved was to be seen,
What awaits them is not what they envision……..
- No crown of gold, but a crown of thorns
- No throne of honour, but a cross of shame
- No obedience from one and all, but rejection and disgrace
- No life of royal luxury, but a traitor’s death
- No spacious palace, but a borrowed tomb.
The story of James and John is followed immediately by another episode that occurs as Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem. The streets of Jericho are swarming with pilgrims from all over the provinces making their way, like Jesus and his group, to Jerusalem. Many in the crowd have heard rumours of Jesus who just might be the long-desired Messiah, so his presence stimulates the people who jostle hoping to hear some words of wisdom, or perhaps witness a miracle or receive his blessing.
On the outskirts of a town a blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus hears that Jesus of Nazareth is passing. He shouts out “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me”.
The crowd rebuke him and tell him to be quiet but he shouts out all the more “Son of David have mercy on me”.
What astounds me is how did this man come to know the lineage of Jesus. How is that he didn’t just shout out ‘Hey Jesus, over here it’s me the blind guy, take pity on me.”?
He must have heard the gossip and stories surrounding Jesus as he sat in his world of darkness and deprivation. Yet through his ??????? something or someone spoke to his heart such that he was empowered to shout out in the presence of this Rabbi called Jesus.
For whatever reason Bartimaeus recognised Jesus for who he was. This pathetic figure, a man with sightless eyes, begging by the roadside. His eyes are blind, but his voice is strong, and he shouts shamelessly in the direction of Jesus. Jesus stops and says, “call him”.
Here’s a funny thing. Listen to how the author characterises the crowd that are following Jesus. The crowd on hearing Bartimaeus calling out rebuke him and basically tell him to shut up, but in the next moment when Jesus says call him what do they say…..”cheer up! On your feet. He’s calling you”. Their self-importance is laughable.
So with the blind man standing expectantly in front of him, Jesus asks him a question that seems to have an obvious answer. “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man says “Rabbi, I want to see”. Jesus does nothing by way of gesture but simply answers “go, your faith has healed you” and immediately he receives his sight and follows Jesus along the road. The road that is leading to the cross.
It is at this point that the thread that links last week’s gospel reading and today’s gospel story becomes evident.
Bartimaeus makes a different request of Jesus than do James and John. He does not seek power over others. He does not hope for high office in order that others will look up to him. He does not crave being special. He only wants to be ordinary: to see the world around him.
Here’s the punch line. He wanted to see, not to be seen!
To see as Bartimaeus wanted or to be seen as what the ambitious brothers wanted. These two options wait for us as well.
We can be concerned with ambition, distinction, high honours, all that separates us from the ordinary world. Or we can want to see. To look with ordinary eyes in such a way that our vision recognises that we are surrounded by the extraordinary. We have the choice.
Do we simply want to be seen, or do we want to see?
Are we locked into our own ambition like the wealthy young man and the two brothers, or are we ready to follow Jesus down the road to wherever he takes us?
Ambition can come across as being exciting. Being seen can be fun.
Seeing on the other hand can be painful. When our eyes function properly, we see a world of tremendous beauty and pain. We become sensitive to the people around us and the battles they face and must deal with. It costs much to see through the portals of this world into the darkness that lurks behind every corner, to be an advocate for justice, a servant of the poor, a person of prayer, a saint of any kind.
Consider how Bartimaeus moved from blindness to sight. It was not a matter of medicine or magic. Jesus said it was the blind man’s faith that opened his eyes. Something inside him rose to the surface recognising Jesus as saviour and made him whole. Faith brought about this transformation.
Just as for the roadside beggar, so also for us. When we come to see, when blindness gives way to sight, and sight gives way to insight, then what is at work is faith. Faith scrapes away the darkness from our eyes that prevent us from seeing the truth. As the Holy Spirit did through Ananias to Saul after his experience on the road to Damascus, the scales of darkness fell away revealing the light of Christ.
Seeing what is around us, allows our minds to process and eventually, after a while we will come to favour the truth with all its rough and sometimes sharp edges over the smoothness of illusion.
Being seen is no comparison to actual sight, even though sight often costs us tears.
Perhaps you are in the position of this blind beggar. In the darkness, demoralised, lonely reaching out. Jesus is close at hand and he responds to those who cry out to him.
If this is you do not make the mistake of James and John and ask this man on his way to death to grant you a place of position and honour. Ask instead for the gift of sight and the insight that it brings.
You’ll be able to look upon an ordinary world and find it extraordinary.
With this newfound sight you will still have your own cross to bear but you will encounter the kingdom in unexpected places.
To be able to see and have the insight into who Christ is will bring understanding, hope, joy and peace.
There was a devout and righteous man in Jerusalem called Simeon and it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit he went to the temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the law required, Simeon took him in his arms praising God and saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may dismiss your servant in peace. For mine eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all people. A light to the Gentiles and Glory to your people Israel”.
Having seen Jesus with his own eyes Simeon was released and filled with peace.
Ask for the gift of sight and you will be released from the things that burden you and you’ll become a disciple willing to get up and journey with Jesus to Jerusalem….. and beyond.
Amen.