United Methodist Church Hyde Park, NY

THE LAST PERSON JESUS EVER HEALED
Mark 10:46-52
 
 
 
Things happen quickly in the Gospel of Mark. In the first verse of today’s text, Jesus and the disciples arrive in Jericho, a town in Samaria, and a few words later they are leaving. Nothing of importance seems to happen there, according to Mark. Strange, isn’t it, the priorities of the Gospel writer? Jericho was a large, cosmopolitan city on a trade crossroad, but the focus of the Gospel is a man on the road out of town. Whereas Jericho gets a few words in this passage, the man, by being named, is given an identity. By being fully named with his father’s name he is given a history. Whereas the crowd with Jesus is prepared to move on at the same fast pace with which the group seemed to treat Jericho, Jesus stops. His priorities include seeing and hearing people like Bartimaeus.
 
Bartimaeus is blind, but we learn from the story that some time in the past he did have sight. So he knew what it meant to see, and he knew how much he had lost – as do those today who struggle with vision problems.
 
Bartimaeus is a beggar. What other occupation is there for a blind person in those days? Probably every day he walks the same familiar path from his shelter out to the edge of Jericho to his chosen spot alongside the busy Jerusalem road, the primary east-west trading route in that area. It is a smart place from which to be begging.
 
One day as Bartimaeus is there holding his hands out to passers-by, a large crowd flows out of the city. He hears that at the center of all the commotion is Jesus of Nazareth. It is clear from Bartimaeus’ reaction that this name means something to him. He must have heard of Jesus. The crowds that surround Jesus are often huge, but Bartimaeus is not a groupie, certainly not merely curious. He believes that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. Though he is blind, he sees this truth.
 
But because of the crowd, Bartimaeus has no hope of groping his way to reach Jesus. so he uses what he has: faith and audacity. “Jesus, Son of David,” he shouts, “have mercy on me!” As so often happens then and now, people try to shut him up. They don’t want him to make a scene. Better keep him in his place. He is not asked to be quiet; he is commanded. Not sensitively, but harshly. Not by one person, but by many. Yet Bartimaeus does not allow himself to be stifled. He cries out even louder: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The crowd is so loud, his voice is still drowned out.
 
But suddenly, Jesus stops. He stands there in silence as the crowd hushes in response. “Call him here,” he says. People don’t know what he’s talking about. Through the noise of the crowd, Jesus has heard the solitary voice along the roadside, the voice of need. “Take heart,” someone tells Bartimaeus. “Get up. He is calling you.”
 
He immediately responds to Jesus and he does so leaving all behind. No one, especially not an impoverished beggar gives up a warm cloak, not unless something better, warmer, and more secure is offered. But Bartimaeus, seemingly without a moment’s hesitation, in the certainty that what he gives up is as nothing compared to what he will receive, leaves everything. He throws off his outer coat, most likely dropping the coins he has collected, leaps to his feet, and pushes through the watching crowd to Jesus.
 
 
 
Finally, Bartimaeus senses that he is face to face with Jesus. Surely Jesus will see Bartimaeus’ handicap and give him sight. But then comes a startling question: “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus must be taken aback. Some of the people are no doubt wondering, “Why did he ask that? Isn’t it obvious? What does he mean by that question?” But Jesus doesn’t presume to know what Bartimaeus most needs or is ready for. Jesus just asks and listens. What should Bartimaeus ask for? He could ask for anything! Bartimaeus says, “My teacher, let me see again.”
 
How does Jesus respond? He doesn’t say, “Your blindness is something you must bear as a punishment for your sins and those of your parents” – the Jewish view of the time. Rather, Jesus sees illness and disabilities as opportunities through which God’s power might flow to these people and to those around them. Out of compassion, Jesus offers wholeness to the brokenness of this man: “Go; your faith has made you well.” At that very moment, for the first time in many years, the Son of Timaeus can see. The world explodes before his eyes with light and color. And the first thing he sees is the face of Jesus.
 
According to the Gospel of Mark, Bartimaeus is the last person heals in his earthly ministry. Immediately afterwards, Jesus enters Jerusalem for the final time. But there is one more detail in the story: the reaction of Bartimaeus. What does he do? He doesn’t rush back to town to tell everyone, throw a party, and then resume his former sighted life. Rather, he casts his lot with Jesus and the disciples as they turn toward Jerusalem. And it will be in Jerusalem that Jesus will, as a member of a royal line, receive a crown, in a coronation that readers of the Gospel have been warned will not be the kind many followers would expect. Bartimaeus displays the kind of all-out faith for which the Gospel of Mark constantly calls.
 
Bartimaeus asked for the greatest thing he could imagine – to see the beauties of the earth once again. But what he receives is far more. With his new eyes, Bartimaeus sees Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, his clearing of the temple, his teaching the scriptures with authority, and at Golgotha, the unmerciful suffering of the one who had changed his whole life. Bartimaeus’ new eyes have to learn to see through tears.
 
But we can also imagine his faith and audacity returning as he calls out to Jesus on the cross, “Teacher, what do you want me to do for you?” And we can imagine that Jesus, lifting his heavy head from his chest, looks him in the eye. At that moment, though Jesus would be too weak to shout back over the distance, it is not hard to believe that Bartimaeus hears in his mind Jesus’ clear answer: “Go back to Jericho. Open their eyes.”
 
Why? Because so many still have but a measure of love, limited vision, and partial understanding. Because this spiritual blindness needs healing, so that all may see things yet unseen, hear things yet unheard, and touch depths of love only dreamed. Because only those who truly see Jesus feel overwhelmingly called to follow his pathways and purposes. Because whatever our abilities or disabilities may be, there is nothing more important than hearing Christ’s call, and answering, and following.