Sunday Readings: Jeremiah 31.7-9, Hebrews 5.1-6, Mark 10.46-52
People in the crowd heard the blind man shouting to Jesus. “Get up,” they told him, “Jesus is calling you.” Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus, who said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Teacher, I want to see again,” said Bartimaeus.. Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has made you well.” At once Bartimaeus was able to see and followed Jesus up the road (Mark 10.49-52).
Even before Jesus heals his blindness, Bartimaeus throws away his cloak, in which he probably collected the money passersby threw his way. He accepts the call to discipleship before Jesus gives it. He throws off the trappings of a life of begging and signals his readiness to follow Jesus. His desire to see transforms Bartimaeus.
Their desire for status impedes the vision of James and John in last Sunday’s gospel. Two Sundays ago the rich young man could not do one thing more; his belongings made him walk away from Jesus. In Mark, the blind beggar who sees with eyes of faith, becomes Jesus’ model follower. He has nothing to leave behind as he follows a new vision for his life.
Bartimaeus has not traveled and talked with Jesus about his teaching and healing. But as he sits outside the Jericho city gates, the beggar must have heard others talk about Jesus. Bartimaeus believes as a result of hearing others talk about Jesus. In this way Bartimaeus is like the audience for whom Mark writes the first gospel 40 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. They, like all of us ever since, believe on the testimony of the gospel word.
- What frees you to embrace Jesus wholeheartedly?
- What keeps you from throwing away your cloak?
- What do you persist in asking Jesus?