Mark 10,46-52.
Jericho is an oasis town, on the floor of the Judean desert, on the west bank of the Jordan, about 900 feet below sea level, where the lush greenery is a delight to the eyes and the sound of running water music to the ears.
As he leaves Jericho, Jesus begins the final stage of his journey to Jerusalem, about 20 miles away. For the past 7 Sundays we have followed his way from Galilee, thus far. More important than the physical journey for Mark is the spiritual journey the disciples are on, as they accompany Jesus on his way to Jerusalem and his death. His way is one of service of God and self-sacrifice for others, something they are slowly learning. The beginning of the journey to Jerusalem was preceded by a miracle of sight to a blind man at Bethsaida (8,22-26). The journey’s final stage begins with a miracle of sight for blind Bartimaeus.
Apart from the 12 disciples, Jairus and Bartimaeus are the only two people named by Mark so far. It was common for the blind to sit by the roadside, begging. Hearing that it was Jesus that was approaching, the beggar shouts out for help. “Son of David” is a messianic title for Jesus. “Have pity (compassion) on me” is a cry of desperation. The biggest obstacle to his cure is the crowd, who try to silence him. His faith and persistence are admirable. He must have sensed that this was his best and only chance of a healing, and “crying out all the louder,” he repeats his request. Jesus hears his cry for help and orders them to call Bartimaeus to him. The crowd’s attitude changes from scolding to encouragement. Casting off his outward garment, he leaps up and comes to Jesus. Given the chance to express his need once more, Bartimaeus, respectfully asks, “My Lord, that I might see again.” Jesus neither says nor does anything by way of healing, but simply compliments him on his faith. “Your faith has saved you”, suggests that more than a physical healing has taken place, for as soon as his sight returned, he followed Jesus “along the way” (of discipleship).
Bartimaeus’ faith in Jesus’ identity and power to heal him is an example for his disciples as Jesus prepares to enter Jerusalem for the final phase of his earthly life.
Sight is such an amazing gift which we often take for granted. Physical blindness is a serious disability. Spiritual blindness is just as disabling. Lord that we may see (again) with the eyes of faith.
Bartimaeus’s encounter with Jesus not only healed his blindness but completely transformed the direction of his life from being a blind beggar to an enlightened follower of Jesus. Throwing off his old cloak and jumping up to come to Jesus, express his readiness to follow a major new direction in his life – a life changing, life-giving breakthrough. Throwing off his cloak is a symbolic reminder of Christian Baptism, (for Mark’s first century readers and for us today), when a believer casts off their old ways/values and takes on the ways and values of Christ.
Lord that we may see again what happened at our Baptism and throw off our old ways and renew our commitment to you.
Jesus asks the same question of you, today. “What do you want me to do for you?”
How do you answer him?
Fr Geoff O’Grady