Grace and peace from the Mystery in whom we live and move and have our being.
Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Mark 10:46-52
This is the last of the healing stories in Mark’s gospel. It is also the last one in Matthew and Luke. You have to believe that the synoptic gospel writers are trying to get something across here, some major point about Jesus and the disciples and seeing things … a story of recognition.
The disciples aren’t looking good
Now, it is not a story that makes the disciples look good.
You have to wonder at this point in Mark’s gospel, just how clueless the disciples can be. Bartimaeus, the blind man, cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And the disciples and many of the followers of Jesus try to silence him.
But he keeps crying out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And they keep pushing him aside, ignoring him, trying to silence him.
How stupid are the disciples of Jesus? When are they going to get it? When are they going to see Jesus for who he is and what his mission is?
Think of all they have been through. Think of all the healing they have seen according to Mark’s gospel. And still…still…still… Have they not seen him healing a man with an unclean spirit? And healing many at Simon’s house when they were in Capernaum?
How stupid are the disciples? When are they going to get it? When are they going to see Jesus for who he is and what his mission is?
Have they not seen him touch a leper and be made clean? Did they not see a paralytic rise up and walk with sins forgiven? And what about the man with the withered hand?
How stupid are the disciples?
How stupid are the disciples? When are they going to get it? When are they going to see Jesus for who he is and what his mission is?
The Gerasene demoniac sees it. A gentile man, demon possessed, living amongst dead people sees it. By chapter four of Mark, two demon-filled people see Jesus for who he is and what his mission is. Why can’t Jesus’ disciples?
Did they not see Jesus heal a woman with a blood flow, and a little girl brought back to life? Both females, considered property of men in those days. The least of the least.
And what about healing the sick in the whole gentile region of Gennesaret, where all the people recognized him? THE GENTILES RECOGNIZED HIM!
How stupid are the disciples? When are they going to get it? When are they going to see Jesus for who he is and what his mission is?
And then there is the Gentile woman, who corrects Jesus, in front of the disciples, when even he seems to get a little off track from his mission. And he heals her, and marvels at her. And points to her as an example to the disciples of great faith.
A deaf man hears, a blind man sees, a father cries out for healing for his son and admits his doubts, “I believe, help my unbelief?” And Jesus heals the son.
Yet, where are the disciples in all of this. Why can’t they hear? Why can’t they see? Why can’t they acknowledge their unbelief?
Who is most in need of mercy?
How stupid are the disciples? When are they going to get it? When are they going to see Jesus for who he is and what his mission is?
And you have to ask yourself after reading Mark’s gospel up to this point, “Who is the blind one in today’s passage? Who are the blind ones? Who are most in need of mercy?”
Because the blind man seems to be able to see Jesus and his mission and the disciples don’t. The blind man recognizes his need for mercy and the disciples, who include a denier, betrayer and doubter, don’t.
So, you tell me, who is most in need of mercy? Who most needs their eyes opened?
YOU TELL ME!!! Who are the real blind ones who need to beg for mercy?
……………………………………………………………………………………..
In the United States today, 37.2 million people live in poverty. 11.4% of our population. More than 1 in 10. I drove by 3 of them on my way home from the supermarket the other day.
crying out to be seen
I DROVE BY THEM!
At the stoplight, I looked away from one of them, not wanting to make eye contact, not wanting to recognize her existence. I preferred to not see her. I preferred to turn a blind eye.
In the United States today, 37.2 million people live in poverty. 11.4% of our population. More than 1 in 10. All crying out for mercy from those of us who call ourselves the ‘body of Christ’ and ‘followers of Christ’. Crying out for mercy, crying out to be seen.
And I drove by three of them on my way home… with a car FULL OF GROCERIES.
How stupid are WE disciples? When are WE going to get it? When are WE going to see Jesus for who he is and what his mission is?
And now I recognize that I am the blind beggar, or the blind beggar is me, just in a different condition. And the command to love my neighbor AS myself isn’t theoretical anymore.
Because, after reading this passage, and driving by those three, I am left with only this cry from my lips,
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me … and cure my blindness.”
Amen
Wednesday Respite is a 30-min contemplative service of scripture, prayer, music and a Spirited Touchpoint by Spirit in the Desert faith mentor, Rev. “Bro. Jim” Hanson.
Touchpoint is a reflection on where God’s story touches our life story. It is a short homily based on a biblical story of people in the Old and New Testaments and their relationship with God. Our spiritual ancestors’ experience of God’s grace connects with our lives in the present and our relationship with the Divine. Previous Touchpoints are available as PDFs or on SoundCloud.
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