In today’s gospel story from Mark, we read about the healing of the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, who was not only given physical sight by Jesus, but also became a follower of Christ. The story begins as Jesus and his disciples were passing through Jericho. Sitting on the roadside was the blind beggar Bartimaeus. Now obviously, Bartimaeus had never seen Jesus, but when he heard that Jesus was passing by, he cried out to Him for help. The scriptures tell us that he shouted out these words, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Even though Bartimaeus had never seen Jesus, he knew who Jesus was. By faith, Bartimaeus believed that Jesus could heal Him, because He was the long awaited Messiah, the descendant of David. The scriptures tell us that the people who could see Jesus, instead of trying to help this beggar to get to Jesus told Bartimaeus to be quiet. But this did not stop Bartimaeus, who knew that Jesus Christ was his only hope. The rebukes from the crowd only caused him to cry out even louder to Jesus in hope that the Lord would hear him over the crowd.
How many of us have experienced times in our lives when life seems hopeless and then suddenly from what seems nowhere, a glimmer of hope shines through the darkness of despair. This is what Bartimaeus is sensing. He who once knew the beauty of God’s creation has been forced into a world filled with physical darkness, when suddenly the Light of the World comes near. This Light of the World is Jesus, the Son of David, the Messiah sent from God to heal the nations. So it is with great urgency that Bartimaeus not miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity. The seeds of belief had already been planted in Bartimaeus’ heart.
Perhaps he had heard the many stories about Jesus’ healing the blind, the lame and even raising the dead. As a beggar on the side of the road, people would talk freely before him as they passed by. Travelers from near and far traveled the Jericho road so for Bartimaeus it was an information highway. By virtue of his low status in society, he was ignored as a person. Those who had compassion may give him a few coins, but most would just hurry on by to get to their destination without wanting to even acknowledge the presence of a beggar beside the road sitting in the dust.
Yet, somehow this dirty beggar had received the stories about Jesus as an answer to his prayers. If only this Jesus, who had healed so many, would pass by him, then Bartimaeus would be released from his dark prison and set free once again to see with his own eyes the world in which he lived. No longer would he be forced to beg for his daily bread in the dust. He would be free to live as an accepted member of the Jewish society no longer as an outcast.
Thankfully, Jesus hears Bartimaeus’ cry of help. The scripture tells us “Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’” How many times in our lives have we cried out to the Lord and thought we were not being heard. The scriptures tell us that sin in our lives can block our prayers to God. Perhaps we accept the lie from the enemy that God cannot change our circumstances. Perhaps we believe that we do not deserve a better way of life. This is known as a lack of faith, which is not pleasing to God. The scriptures tell us that unless we have faith, it is impossible to please God. Hebrews chapter 11, verse 6 states, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
It is only when we cry out to Him from the depths of our very being like poor Bartimaeus did that Jesus is able to hear us. I mean, what if Bartimaeus had just given up hope and said to himself, “Oh well, I guess I am meant to stay in this sorry condition the rest of my life.” For one thing, we would not be reading today about the amazing healing that Bartimaeus received from Jesus.
It is astonishing to me, whenever I read this story that Jesus asks this poor blind beggar the question, “What do you want me to do for you?” I mean it is just so obvious to me that this poor blind man needs to see again. If I had been in Bartimaeus’ condition at that time and place in history, I believe that being healed would be at the top of my list. Yet, Jesus asks Bartimaeus this question, because for Jesus there are worst things in life than being physically blind. It is spiritual blindness that is Jesus’ top concern.
Spiritual blindness can lead to a sentence of eternal death. Without the spiritual sight of knowing that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, many in this world are groping in spiritual darkness. Unless somehow someone or something brings the Light of Christ into their world, they will never know that they are spiritually blind. Christ is their only hope, but unless we as Christians are willing to share with them the hope of Christ, then how will they ever know?
In our Taize services, we light candles and take them up to the altar to place them in sand boxes. The light from the candles are symbolic of the light of Christ within us. When we let our lights shine through in the darkness, the darkness is displaced. In its place there is the light of hope. The light of Christ.
Those of us who have experienced the Taize service can testify about how beautiful it is when the only lights in the church at night are the lighted candles. The beauty of the candles reminds us that we are Christ’s lights in this world of spiritual darkness. Yet, if we just enjoy the physical beauty and are not willing to share Christ’s light with others what good is it? The lights of the candles hopefully encourage us to be bearers of Christ’s light to all whom we meet.
After Bartimaeus received his physical sight again, the scriptures tell us that he became a follower of Christ. The scripture reads, “Immediately, he regained his sight and followed him on the way.” Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. This would be his final trip to that city. His journey would end at a cross on Golgotha. Bartimaeus was one of the few who remained loyal to Jesus until the end. There was no doubt in Bartimaeus’ mind and heart as to who Jesus was. Before he had received his physical healing, he had already been spiritually set free. When Jesus passed his way, Bartimaeus cried out to Him in faith.
Today there are people in our every day lives, who like Bartimaeus have already received the seeds of faith in Christ. They are just waiting for Jesus to pass near them so that they too can call out to Him and follow Him. Perhaps they are locked within a world of spiritual darkness just waiting for that moment when they can be set free.
We who are bearers of the light of Christ can bring them to Christ. All we have to do is be willing to allow the light of Christ to shine through us. It is only the light of Christ that can displace the spiritual darkness of this world. Christ is the Light of the World, but we are the bearers of that Light.
Bringing the Light of Christ to others means to not allow our own desires to overcome us. We are called to be as Christ to one another. This means that we are to love one another as Christ loves us. Being a light means to reach out to those whom the world passes by and to give them hope in Christ. Being a light means loving our enemies as Christ did on the cross, when He said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Only when we are willing to let the Christ in us overcome our own self centered ways will we know what it means to be bearers of Christ’s Light. People are groping in spiritual darkness. Are we willing to let our lights shine?
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