October 29, 2000
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

LECTIONARY READINGS
from the Revised Common Lectionary

Jeremiah 31:7-9
Psalm 126
Hebrews 7:23-28
Mark 10:46-52

[ Read the texts at the Vanderbilt Divinity On-Line Library ]
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"Let Me See Again!"

Have you ever had a time when your vision was threatened?  It is a frightening experience.

Through complications with a medical problem, my wife developed what her doctor called "a slight stroke" in her left eye.  (The technical term was ischemic optic neuropathy)  The vision in her left eye deteriorated and we were waiting to see if this complication was also going to involve her right eye.  Over the weekend this occurred, we literally waited hour by hour for what was going to happen. There were four visits to a very compassionate physician's office as he attempted to keep track of what was taking place with her optic nerves.  That weekend and the weeks following were difficult times of "good news" then "bad news." the news could change daily and sometimes hourly.  It would be several months before we could go about our daily lives without that ever present sense of nagging urgency concerning her vision.

It was a scary time, but finally our prayers were answered as her right eye remained uninvolved and the vision in her left eye improved.  Though there are blind spots in the eye, we are grateful.  Our hearts turn frequently to those who are without sight and our sensitivity to those who are threatened by the loss of vision is heightened.

The gospel reading about Bartimaeus the blind beggar, took on a special meaning this time. Bartimaeus lived in a time when there was no assistance for those without sight.  As a matter of fact, some persons considered blindness a punishment of sorts.  Remember the time Jesus and his disciples encountered a man who was blind from birth? The disciples asked Jesus, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"  [John 9:2]

This was no easy life, those who had to resort to begging for simple subsistence were the forgotten, powerless people of their world. Begging was a kind of sanctioned welfare system for those who were lucky enough to be allowed to beg. As I read his story this time, I could only imagine what it must have been like for Bartimaeus.  A few weeks of wondering whether we would have to deal with blindness was difficult.  What must it have been like, not only to have been blind from birth, but to have people around you who believed that you somehow brought on the difficulty yourself?  Whether this particular disability or any other illness, we would do well to remember Jesus words, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him..." [John 9:3]  In other words, every misfortune and every circumstance is an opportunity for God's wonderful works to be demonstrated.

Sometimes God brings about healing that we can only call miraculous.  My wife's doctor would not commit to the term "miracle," but he did say, "I have never seen someone get back as much vision as you did after what you went through."  At other times the Lord provides a strengthening of our spirit, a restoration of the peace in our lives, or simply landing on our feet after a troubled time. Always, however, it is a demonstration of what God can do with difficult circumstances  when we wrap them up in our prayers.

This day began like any other for blind Bartimaeus. Same old thing.  Find his way to the roadside where the crowds passed by during the day, beg from sunup to sundown and hope for enough to live for another day. But this day would be like any other day in the poor beggar's life. An encounter with Jesus would change his life forever.

***

I want to focus on the amazing spiritual truths that emerge from the story of the encounter between Jesus and Bartimaeus, but there is an important preface to the story that makes it stand out even more.  The day Bartimaeus received his sight was the most important day in his life, but this story is also critically important in the way Mark constructs his gospel.

There is a strong analogy in all the gospels between physical sight and spiritual sight.  Jesus says of those who do not receive his words "Seeing {they} see not..." [Matt. 13:13] In the gospel of John the Pharisees are offended at Jesus' words about those who do not perceive spiritual truth and ask, "Surely we are not blind, are we?" [John 9:40]

The healing of Bartimaeus is the last healing miracle in Mark's gospel. It is significant that this healing miracle has to do with the restoration of sight. In last week's reading from Mark, we saw the disciples squabbling over who would be greatest in Jesus' kingdom.  They had a kind of blindness about what makes for true greatness. Immediately upon the healing of Bartimaeus, the gospel turns to the story of Jesus entrance into Jerusalem where is is Hailed by the Crowds who call him the Son of David.  Bartimaeus called Jesus the Son of David and receives his sight - he knows who Jesus is.  The crowds call Jesus the Son of David, but the event of the following week tell us the crowds do not see at all and darkness takes over the story until the day of resurrection.

It is as thought Mark tells us the story of Bartimaeus, not just for the fact of the physical healing miracle, but to bring a focus to what it means to see in a spiritual way.  This indeed is the Son of David who will enter the darkest week of his life.

***

There are four elements in the interaction between Bartimaeus and Jesus that deserve our attention.

1. Bartimaeus recognized Jesus for who he was:  Even though he was physically unsighted, Bartimaeus has insight into who Jesus is.  He calls out to "Son of David."  Strangely, Jesus does not challenge this identification.  The crowds try to silence Bartimaeus, but Jesus does not.  Heretofore Jesus has told those close to him not to spread the message of his messianic identity.  But now the time has drawn close to the time of Jesus crucifixion and resurrection.  Messiah -- Son of David is the one who brings restoration to all things.

Our spiritual journey begins in earnest when we recognize Jesus Christ for who he is and who he can be in our lives.

2. Bartimaeus was persistent:  There are those in the crowd who, "...sternly ordered him to be quiet..."  We don't know who or why.  It may have been the Pharisees who are throughout the gospels trying to silence the witness for Jesus.  It might have been pious folk who did not want this sinner to embarrass them. Whatever the reason, Bartimaeus kept on calling out to the one who could bring healing to him.

What a great lesson for our prayer life.  Most of us are too easily discouraged and too quick to give up on our the things we most need to pray for.  We sometimes let the criticism of others direct us more than the call of Jesus to seek, ask and knock.

Bookmark this thought in your spirit:  Productive prayer is persistent prayer!

3. Jesus' compassion is a given:  The crowd was wrong.  Jesus stopped everything to go to Bartimaeus.  think about the obstacles here.  Jesus had a handful of followers who did not fully understand his mission, there were detractors in the crowd who dogged him all the way to Jerusalem and Calvary. He was about to enter the worst week of his earthly life.

But he stops!

Is that not encouragement to all of us?  I sometimes think my trials are so slight that it is selfish to bother the Lord with them.  Others seem to have so much more trouble and I am so blessed.  Yet - the truth is, Christ cares for each and every one of us as if there was only one to care for!  Whether a lost sheep, a lost coin or a runaway son -- he cares for all who need care.

And that is good news for you and for me.

4. An encounter with Christ leads to commitment to Christ:  Notice this quiet little transaction:

Jesus says, "Go, your faith has made you well."

Bartimaeus' response: "Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on his way."

When we truly understand the work of Christ in our lives, it will be the most natural thing of our spirit to want to follow him.

***

The heart of this message is that God is close to us in every circumstance and available to our earnest cries for help and hope.  Bartimaeus appeals to Jesus, "Let me see again." For you and me it will be a different plea. For a moment of silent prayer, try to let the deepest cry of your spirit come to the surface as you imagine the Lord Jesus Christ saying to you:

"What do you want me to do for you?"

And you would reply:

"Lord, let me ___________________________ ."

[Silent moment]

May the God of grace and mercy hear our prayers and grant us the peace our our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Connections in the Texts

The texts from Jeremiah and Mark work together in proclaiming the joy of God's redemption.  When God delivers the nation, the marks of redemption will include "the blind and the lame..." [31:8] Jeremiah speaks to a people who are entering into the darkness of bondage while Mark brings the story to one individual who has endured the life long bondage of being without sight.  The intervention of God brings liberty and joy. Freedom and gladness are the blessed children of God's redemptive plan.  They are also marks of a healthy spiritual community.

The Hebrews text continues the discussion of our , "great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God..."  [Heb. 4:14]  The connection with the other texts is not obvious - except that the One who redeems Israel and brings good news to all people is able to mediate for us in perpetuity. 

Jeremiah 31:7-9

God never gives up!  In spite of generations of rebellion and sin, God will redeem the nation and there will be gladness and shouts of joy.  The blind and the lame will participate.  People will be gathered from the ends of the earth.  God can not give up because, "Ephraim is my firstborn."

There is a component of the joy and rejoicing of redemption that needs to be lifted up.  While there is great joy because God is faithful to redeem -- that redemption comes at a cost and the mark of the redeemed is the repentance and tears that come prior to the shouts of joy.  "With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back..." [31:9]  There is no redemption without repentance.  The nation will come back to her God in full acknowledgement of her sin and rebellion.  The knowledge of the depth of sin would be too much if it were not for the "consolations" of the Lord.

The twin themes of repentance and redemption in Jeremiah are significant in a culture where the joy of faith is sometimes separated from the repentance which is the pathway to authentic spiritual gladness.  Psalm 126 repeats the theme in a wonderful hymn of repentance and redemption. 

Mark 10:46-52

The healing of Bartimaeus at this juncture in Mark's gospel is an evident statement about the messianic identity of Jesus.  The "messianic secret" is no more.  Both Jeremiah and Isaiah point to the redemption of those who were blind and Isaiah [42:7] specifically proclaims that the Servant of God - Messiah will open the eyes of the blind.

Those who "see the light" in a spiritual sense as Bartimaeus sees the light in a physical way will join in following Jesus "on the way."  From this point in Mark, the final days of Jesus earthly ministry are engaged and redemption's story comes to its center.

Hebrews 7:23-28

Hebrews continues the enumeration of the reasons Jesus' high priesthood is superior to the priesthood of the old sacrificial system.

1. Unlike the priest of old, Jesus never has to be replaced his priesthood is forever and, "Consequently, he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

2. Unlike the priests of old, Jesus does not have to continually make sacrifice for himself first and then for the people because he is, "...a Son who has been made perfect forever."

 Worship Helps

A Call To Worship

L: We rejoice and give thanks to the Lord,
P: Our hearts are filled with gladness,
L: And our mouths with songs of praise,
P: For the Lord has done great things for us.
L: We are blessed with every gracious gift of God.
P: Therefore we will praise the Lord forevermore!  Amen!

A Prayer of Confession

Almighty God, we cannot draw near to You without feeling ashamed.  The world has been to much with us.  Late and soon, getting and spending, we have laid waste our powers.  We have left ourselves with little time to think, to pray, to listen to what You have to say to us.  Help us now to open the door by which You enter our hearts…In the spirit of Christ we make our prayer.   Amen.      (Robert J. McCracken)

Assurance of Pardon

Hear the gracious words of our Lord Jesus Christ to all that truly repent and turn to Him: Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Those who come to me I will in no way cast out.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

Lord God eternal, holy, almighty, merciful; maker of all things by Your power, ruler of all things in Your wisdom; we glorify You for the wonders of the heavens and the earth; for the perfection of Your counsels; for the riches of Your saving grace toward the children of humankind; for Your saving grace and truth revealed to the world in Jesus Christ; and for Your presence vouchsafed to us through Your Holy Spirit.  All praise and adoration be given to You, by day and night, with voice and heart, from generation to generation, O Almighty Lord God most blessed and most glorious, for ever and ever.     Amen.

A Prayer of Dedication