I Want to See

Mark 10:46–52 | Psalm 23

In Mark 10:46–52, we have the story of the blind beggar Bartimaeus. As Jesus is leaving Jericho, the beggar cries for help. The crowd attempts to silence him. He has to exhibit great faith in Jesus to overcome the crowd. He cries out to Jesus to have mercy on him, and after being ordered to be quiet, he cries out even louder. Jesus then tells the crowd to have him come over to him. Jesus then asks him what he wants. He says, “Let me see again.” Jesus then says to him, “Go, your faith has made you well.”

Some may see this narrative as just another healing story of a blind person. But there are parts which are unique to this story. Unlike earlier two-step cures, Jesus does not use saliva or touch the man. Instead, he sends Bartimaeus on his way with the assurance that his faith has healed him.

We also learn from this narrative that there is no longer any need to hide Jesus’ identity. In earlier healing stories and exorcisms, Jesus had told those healed not to talk about him. In this passage the beggar refers to Jesus as the Son of David. This would also be like calling Jesus the Messiah. Mark has not used images of Jesus as the anointed King in the line of David prior to this point. There is no longer any need to hide Jesus’ identity at this point. He is on the way to Jerusalem for the passion.

It is symbolic that the blind man who regains his sight is the one who announces who Jesus is as he gets ready to go into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Once healed, Bartimaeus accompanies the crowd into Jerusalem. His initial proclamation sets the tone for the entry when the crowd hails the coming of the “Kingdom of our ancestor David.”

There are other symbols in this narrative. Bartimaeus spontaneously leaps up and abandons his cloak when he is told that Jesus has called him. This is probably the only possession he has besides the clothes on his back. Yet, he was so convinced when Jesus called him that he would be given sight that he did not even worry about his possessions. His spontaneous enthusiasm provides a counterpoint to the fear, silence, and hesitation with which the Twelve disciples follow Jesus into Jerusalem. His actions also provide a contrast to their debate about who is the greatest. Unlike the disciples at this point, the blind beggar does not seek greatness or glory. He only wants to see again.

Although the beggar was told by Jesus that he could go, he begins to follow Jesus along the road. Such behavior reverses the image of the rich man who would not follow Jesus. Once again, we have a lesson in possessions. Bartimaeus had no possessions, nothing to hinder him in his walk with Jesus.

The Bartimaeus story illustrates the power Jesus had to awaken faith in others. The blind beggar exhibits the type of faith that forms the basis for healing. Despite opposition from the crowd and misunderstanding from those closest to Jesus, Bartimaeus is still healed of his blindness and Jesus’ ministry is a success.

This healing is symbolic of one being healed of spiritual blindness. The disciples need to be healed of their spiritual blindness. They have been arguing about who is the greatest. They need to realize what is really important as they go into Jerusalem during the passion and Jesus’ eventual death. Bartimaeus leads the way for them.

What does this story mean for us? We need to put our complete faith in God just as Bartimaeus did. We need to ask to see again. It is important to not be spiritually blind as we walk the Christian life. We are to follow Christ. We need to have our eyes open when we do this.

Like Bartimaeus, we need to remember to ask for God’s mercy in our lives. Let us remember that God’s mercy is always present. Just as there were obstacles to Bartimaeus, there will be obstacles to us. We cannot give up. We clearly need mercy at this time. We face a number of issues.

Our nation also needs mercy. Our elected leaders cannot get along. Nothing appears to be done about the problems in our society. Our country needs God’s mercy.

Our world needs God’s mercy. We have conflicts around the world which continue to cause death, refugees, and uncertainty. There seems to be no resolution. We need to pray for God’s mercy.

Our additional reading this week is Psalm 23. We often think of this passage as a scripture for comfort. It is often used at funerals. But, as written by Rev. Erica Maccreaigh, a pastor at Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Indianola, Iowa, in a reflection in Christian Century magazine, we may want to look at the flip side of Psalm 23, the heroic side. Psalm 23 is not just about a song of comfort and consolation. It is also about heroism and the world set right. To appreciate this, we need to consider the nature of true heroism.

Rev. Maccreaigh writes that she has read about sheep and that they are not actually as dumb as we make them out to be. But they do seem to be eager followers and poor decision makers, so it’s not surprising that they are such a common metaphor for human beings.

Rev. Maccreaigh writes that a study several years ago looked at what makes a person put their life on the line for a stranger. The study found that people willing to put themselves in danger for people they did not know possess two traits in abundance: risk tolerance and compassion.

Psalm 23 resounds with confidence about our safekeeping but it’s not the green pastures and still waters that ensure that. A courageous shepherd does. There is the powerful imagery of the shepherd’s staff and rod. Shepherds use the crook of the staff to pull wayward sheep to safety. They use both rod and staff to prod sheep in the right direction. And both the rod and the staff can be used as weapons against predators. The shepherd who willingly enters dangerous territories armed for guidance and defense is a hero on par with Christ, who is known as the great shepherd. The wolves are gathering to bring him down, but the shepherd has a lion’s heart.

When we think about putting our faith in God and a hero for the faith, we remember the person Martin Luther. Reformation Day, which traces back to October 31, 1517, when the German Roman Catholic priest nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg church. This date is considered the unofficial beginning of the Protestant Reformation.

Most of the 95 theses were against the selling of indulgences by the Roman Catholic Church. With this document Luther confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel, a Dominican friar. Tetzel was acting on behalf of the Roman Catholic Pope Leo X, who was using the sale of indulgences to build St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. By giving a certain amount of money, one could buy their way out of purgatory or get themselves a better place in heaven.

Luther objected to the sale of these indulgences on a number of grounds. One of his primary arguments was that people were not saved by works and could not buy their way into heaven. He eventually developed his own doctrine that spiritual salvation is only by faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Luther had to have great faith in God. By doing what he did, he placed himself at great risk. He was going up against a very powerful person in Leo X. He risked both his life and his profession. Luther was eventually excommunicated and made an outlaw.

Like Bartimaeus and Martin Luther, we need to have faith in what Jesus Christ will do in our lives. We must remember we can never do it on our own. We must be willing to take personal risk and have compassion for others. We must be willing to throw off our cloak and follow Jesus wherever he leads us.