“I Want to See!”
Mark 10:46-52
Bartimaeus. The name means “Son of Timaeus” - Timaeus literally meaning “highly valued or prized.” Which seems, in a sense, a touch ironic, because we know from the story, that Bartimaeus was just a poor, blind beggar. A nobody. Person who had been ostracized, marginalized, pushed to the very edge of society. Forced to sit along side of the road, and exist off the “hand-outs” of others.
Imagine what that must’ve been like back in Jesus’ day.
It’s difficult enough now to live with a disability, but back then there were no safety nets. No government assistance programs. No state offices for rehabilitation, or schools for the blind. No braille. Bartimaeus was completely dependent on others for everything. Literally subsisting on handouts of others to eat. He was basically a prisoner to his blindness.
His whole life was lived in darkness. NOT a chosen darkness, but darkness nonetheless. It’s been stated that upwards of 80% of everything that you and I do depends on our eyesight. We have to be able to see to do just about everything that we do in this life. And Bartimaeus couldn’t even do that.
When we encounter Bartimaeus in our scripture lesson for today, it was literally the height of the begging season. It was like Christmas time for those who depended on the charity of others to exist. Passover was approaching, and there were untold numbers of pilgrims making their way through Jericho into Jerusalem, which was only a few miles away. Religious people on pilgrimage can be generous. It’s one reason during the holiday season they claim charitable giving is actually up. Most people are in a giving mood. They’re feeling generous. And so Bartimaeus set out to take advantage.
He began calling out from the road side, “have mercy on me, have mercy on a blind beggar… God blesses those who show mercy to the poor. The God of mercy loves the merciful.” He would call out to the crowds, passing by in the hope that they would hear, and they would help.
This particular day that’s recorded for you and for me, Jesus and his disciples were making their way through Jericho on their way to the Passover celebration in Jerusalem. Bartimaeus may have been blind, but his other senses worked just fine. And he had heard people talking about Jesus. He’d heard that Jesus was a healer. He began to hope, that if Jesus made his way close enough he would be able to call out to Jesus and Jesus would hear him, and would heal his blindness.
So he raised his voice, “Jesus, son of David have mercy on me!“ Of course, the crowd began to rebuke Bartimaeus. But, undeterred, he called out all the louder, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus heard him. Jesus instinctively knew this was more than a beggar crying out for a coin. This cry for mercy came from a deep place of desperation. And so Jesus ordered the group to stop, and he called for his disciples to bring Bartimaeus to him.
Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “what do you want me to do for you?“ I’m sure those gathered around thought Bartimaeus was going to ask for money… But instead, he surprised them all, saying, “I want to see.” Then Jesus simply said, “your faith has made you whole.” And in that moment, Bartimaeus was no longer blind. Jesus had removed Bartimaeus’ darkness, and he began to follow Jesus along with the other disciples.
His persistence paid off! Bartimaeus refused to listen to the contrary voices. He persistently called out to the Christ he could not see… knowing that Jesus was his one and only hope.
It reminds me of the story of the Persistent Widow… she came time and again before the judge, asking for justice, but over and over he denied her. But she kept coming... kept seeking... kept asking until, finally, the judge relented and granted her justice.
Bartimaeus was persistent in his determination to reach out to Jesus.
Is easy to look at Bartimaeus, and point out his blindness. Some people even refer to him as “Blind Bartimaeus” as if “Blind” was his first name. After all he was physically blind, it was obvious that he could not see. But where it matters most, Bartimaeus had perfect vision. He knew he had to get to Jesus.
Of course, the fact of the matter is we live in the world today where a vast majority of people are blind. They’re blind to the Truth. It’s a chosen blindness.
They’re blinded by things like Greed, and Politics. Religion sometimes blinds people, too (it blinded the Pharisees in Jesus’ day). Self-determination blinds people. Self-centeredness. Sinfulness. We could go on-and-on. But we’re all guilty. We’ve all allowed something at some point to blind us to what’s truly, and eternally, important.
What’s blinding us to Jesus? Are we allowing obstacles or people to silence our cry for Jesus.?
To this world filled with chosen blindness... Jesus appears. In fact, he’s here now.
We’ve all heard of his miracles and teachings. We know he has the power to save, and provides grace upon grace already given... grace that’s sufficient for our need.
As he passes by what will you & I do?
*Will you ask for the answer to some theological question? "Jesus, a woman had seven husbands. In the resurrection which will be her spouse?"
*Will you request the solution to a moral dilemma: "May a man divorce his wife?"
*Will you ask for some blessing, "Jesus, can you give me lottery numbers?"
Or will you ask him to let you see?
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