A reflection on the Gospel for October 21, 2018 Mark 10:46-52

Some years ago when I lived in Connecticut, an unexpected snow storm left us without power for almost a week. It was cold, difficult to sleep, impossible to cook. One of the hardest things was the darkness. Streetlights were out, and it was frightening not to be able to see hazards in the way. At home, it was disorienting and isolating. Familiar routines were disrupted, and moving around required concentration and effort.

 For me, the darkness was a brief inconvenience. But for those with visual impairments, darkness affects everything. Bartimaeus lived in the disruption of darkness, in isolation and helplessness. His blindness had pushed him to the margins of society; he was ignored and invisible, not worthy of notice or attention. Because he could not see, others usually did not see him. But those who are visually impaired often have other senses that are highly developed, and Bartimaeus heard things that the others may not have heard. He knew something about Jesus that they seem not to have noticed: "When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!'" Bartimaeus recognized Jesus as the Son of David, the Messiah. Jesus, in turn, saw the blind beggar for who he really was, the son (Bar) of Timaeus (honor or value) -- a valued child of God. And when Bartimaeus cried out for mercy, for relief from his suffering, Jesus stopped in his tracks and had those in the crowd call Bartimaeus to him.

 When Bartimaeus was called to Jesus, he threw off his cloak and leaped up. He left behind what was likely his only real possession, a means of protection and livelihood, the cloak he used to keep warm at night, that he spread out during the day to collect the coins and scraps of bread he begged for. He left everything he had and came to Jesus. Maybe that leap of faith was the beginning of Bartimaeus being made well. Maybe it was then that he was saved. He could not see where he was going, he did not know what lay ahead, but he went. He acted in blind faith. I imagine Jesus continuing to speak, giving Bartimaeus a word to guide him and help him find his way. And then he asked the beggar a question he had asked others (Mark 10:36) --"What do you want me to do for you?" -- but this time, he granted the request. Bartimaeus could see!

 Faith is the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It is getting up and going blindly in the direction of the Word that you have not heard yourself. It is sitting in the ashes with Job, finally understanding -- seeing -- and being able to respond as he did: "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you" (Job 42:4-5). Faith is going to the cross, watching them compete for the cloak that is left behind, and suffering and dying and not being able to see God. It is following Christ, even when you cannot see where the way leads, even if it leads to suffering.

 We are all beggars, poor blind beggars, dependent on others, struggling along, suffering and often unable to see the source of blessing that is right in front of us. But God watches over us, God sees us, and God in Christ waits to offer us mercy. All we have to do is get up and go in the direction of the Word. And when we can finally see the One who calls us, then we, like Bartimaeus, are to follow. 

(Slightly adapted from devotions I wrote for the 2018 Upper Room Disciplines)