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Sight
for Sore Eyes Gospel:Mark
10:46-52 Just because you have eyes does not mean that you are able to see. The capacity to apprehend and interpret reality with genuine clarity is a skill that has to be learned and developed over a lifetime. I’m talking about perception, not simply the mechanics of vision. Your eyesight could be 20/20 and it’s still possible to miss the truth of something that’s right in front of you.... Today, our Gospel reading tells us that Jesus and his disciples are on their way to Jerusalem. At Jericho they make a last stop and, there, they encounter a man blind since birth. Luke does not give us his name, but Mark calls the man Batrimaeus. It may be a Greek name, but is more likely to be of Aramaic origin, which, by derivation means “Son of Timai” or “Son of the Unclean.” The fact that we have this specific information would seem to indicate that, in all probability, this blind beggar was well known in the community and to the followers of Jesus. Whether he was totally blind is a matter of pure conjecture but Mark tells us that “he sprang up and came to Jesus.” Some scholars think that his being able to make his way through the crowd and find Jesus would seem to indicate that the man was partially blind or had limited vision. Whatever else, we can certainly conclude that he had some eye problem and that his sore eyes had reduced him to begging from others in order to survive. Despite the dismissal and rejection directed at him from bystanders, Bartimaeus kept on insisting, "Son of David, have mercy on me," and wouldn’t stop his pleading until he gained sight for his sore eyes. Blind beggars with sore eyes were certainly a common sight in the time of Jesus. They sat by the scores, lining the ways leading to the doors of the Temple. Blind beggars are a common sight in most Third World countries even today, all around the globe. But the story of this one individual is special and I’m glad that it is preserved for us in the Scriptures because it is all about the miracle of passing from darkness into light…not just in the ancient days of the Bible but, right now, today, anytime a person turns to God in the midst of darkness and confusion, asking to see and understand clearly. But, before we get to the way in which the story of Bartimaeus connects with the present day--the learnings that are in this fascinating encounter between Jesus and the blind man--let’s try to understand exactly what’s going on in the story from today’s Gospel reading. I’d like to explore, briefly, three aspects of the story of Bartimaeus. First, just imagine how it must have felt to this man who had been blind since birth to learn that there was hope for him. How did he become conscious of that astounding possibility? In my mind’s eye, I can imagine something like this happening: The beggar is sitting in his usual spot one day, hoping for a coin or two from any chance passerby, when along comes a person who, either cynically or compassionately, tells him that he ought to get up and go see the holy man who’s travelling around the countryside healing people. The conversation might be something like, “Haven’t you heard about this guy? They say he’s a prophet who has miraculous healing power.” Doubtful, but interested, Bartimaeus asks, “What’s his name?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” comes the reply, “Jesus, the son of David.” Bartimaeus mutters the name to himself, “Jesus, the son of David. Well, God knows I have no other hope. Is it even possible that there is actually some way out of this miserable life of begging? If this ‘Son of David’ ever comes by this place, as unlikely a possibility as that may be, I’ll ask him to help me.” A second dimension of the story: New sight didn’t come to Bartimaeus immediately. It took patience. Like most miracles, our seeking of God and God’s outreaching love toward us, intersect only now and again. You can well imagine for yourself the growing discontent and expectation that began to grow within the heart of Bartimaeus in the days that followed. If only this ‘Son of David’ really could heal his sore eyes. If only this ‘Son of David’ should happen to come to Jericho. And then, amazingly, one day it all came true! He heard the clamor of voices and the pounding of feet. He caught the electrifying news as people called to one another that Jesus, the Son of David, was there, in their midst, that very day! His heart pounded in his chest as he rose up, cast aside his ragged cloak, and struggled toward the direction of the noise. People were pushing him aside, telling him to go away, to stop bothering the prophet but Bartimaeus knew it was his last and only chance so he cried out louder and louder. He began to shout the name of the healer and to plead for help. And, then, incredibly, he heard the words, “What would you have me do for you?” Spontaneously and fervently the beggar responded, “Please, help me receive my sight.” Finally, a third aspect of this story: The final verses of the Gospel text for today tell us the outcome. Jesus tells the beggar that, because of his faith in asking, his request has been granted, Bartimaeus suddenly is able to see, is filled with all the wonder and joy and beauty of a world entirely and permanently changed. Listen to what the scriptures say: “Immediately he regained his sight and followed Jesus.” Completely set free from his wretched life of dependence and desperation, Bartimaeus is suddenly enabled to live his life fully as a child of God. From beggar’s mat to discipleship--what a total transformation! Bartimaeus has moved from hopelessness to hopefulness, through the love and mercy of God. This man moved from possibility to reality, darkness to light, death to life--all because he chose to believe that it really could happen. Well, you might be saying to yourself, that’s quite a story but what does it have to do with me? I’m certainly happy for that poor old guy but I don’t see how it relates to my own life. I want to suggest to you that the story of Bartimaeus and how he moved from blindness to being able to see everything clearly has EVERYTHING to do with you and with me, right now, today. His physical blindness is exactly like our spiritual blindness. ...Most of us human beings don’t really see what God is doing all the time, all around us, every day.If you are aware that your life is empty, flat, and unfilled most of the time--that you’re “missing” any sense of God’s presence and purpose for your life--isn’t it time to look for a cure? Just as he did two thousand years ago, Jesus,the Son of David, is able to restore sight to sore eyes. The steps of the process are exactly the same as they were way back then: Take stock of your spiritual eyesight and, if, as I suspect, it’s not as sharp as it ought to be, then you’re probably having a hard time seeing the hand of God at work all around you. Distortion can give you a very warped perception in which everything looks dark and hopeless. You may have come to think that the world is a dreadful place, that nothing is good or beautiful, that life is nothing but disappointment and misery. That kind of spiritual blindness prevents you from seeing the positive side of things, the reality that no matter how things may seem God is in charge. There are bright moments of love, caring, and compassion in which lives are being shaped and healed. It all depends on what you’re looking for and what you choose to see. We can learn to reject the negative visions once God gives us new eyes to see. All of us can learn to recognize and have faith that there is a cure for spiritual blindness--healing power is ours simply for the asking from God that is able to overcome our own blindness. All of us are invited and emboldened by the story of Bartimaeus to ask that the presence and power of God may touch, heal, and restore our capacity to see things as they really are. Once we’ve done that, you can be sure that God will respond if we wait and watch with the eyes of Faith. The bottom-line message of Bartimaeus is simple and clear. It can be summed up in one sentence: Whenever we step forward in Faith, God is always there to meet us with power. Copyright 2003 Calvary Episcopal Church Gospel:
Mark
10:46-52 |
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