We are getting closer. In the Gospel text for today Jesus and His disciples are on a road headed to Jericho. This is a place along the way of pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Passover. He will make His way from here to Bethphage and Bethany, and then He will enter Jerusalem from the Mouth of Olives on Palm Sunday. But first there is something Jesus must tell His disciples. He will prepare them for what will happen in Jerusalem. He said to those men who knew Him best, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.” We get it. We know that Jesus was talking about Himself, what would happen and how it would happen. We know, but the disciples did not know. It says in verse 34, “The disciples did not understand any of this…they did not know what he was talking about.”
And then a little further down the road Jesus, the disciples and a large crowd approached Jericho. There was a man on the road. He was blind. His name was Bartimaeus. We know his name from the Gospel of Mark. Because he couldn’t see he asked the crowd that lined the streets with him who was approaching. You see, it was the Jewish law for all who were twelve years and older and within 15 miles of the holy city to go to Jerusalem for the Passover. If for some reason you were unable, you lined the streets and watched the pilgrims who made their way to Jerusalem instead. That’s what Bartimaeus would do and the crowd with him told him that Jesus of Nazareth was coming.
He shouted at the Savior, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the crowed tried to get him to be quiet but he shouted all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” I want you to know that it was very significant that Bartimaeus called Jesus, “The Son of David.” This was a Messianic title and Jesus could see the blind man’s faith through this simple confession. Bartimaeus knew who was before him and he had faith that He could heal him. It’s ironic. It’s ironic that the disciples at the beginning of the text could see quite well. As a matter of fact they had the privilege to see more than most everyone – the miracles, the wonders and the signs. The disciples could see, but they could not see. Bartimaeus, however, could not see for he was blind, but he could see Jesus perfectly in faith.
And if this whole situation of seeing and not being able to see and who really is the one who “sees” in faith is not ironic enough for you – here’s another twist. Those on the “inside” with Jesus – namely the disciples – were left on the “outside” of understanding – namely they were not able to comprehend what Jesus was talking about. Bartimaeus, who was on the “outside” to the world – namely an outcast to all society because he was helpless and had to beg for food – was on the “inside” with Jesus in his understanding of exactly who this man really was, that is, King of kings and Lord of lords.
And if that’s not enough for you – here’s one more. The disciples wanted Bartimaeus to keep quiet because he wouldn’t stop calling out. To those who were listening to Jesus’ teaching as He walked the uproar was an offence. They tried to silence Bartimaeus, but no one was going to take from him his one chance to escape from his world of darkness. So, he cried out with such violence that the crowd walking to Jericho had to stop. Jesus, however, didn’t want Bartimaeus to stop crying out. Rather, Jesus wanted Bartimaeus to stand before Him and talk more by answering a question to which Jesus already knew the answer.
And if the irony is not enough for us at this point in the Gospel story, imagine this: A blind man, who was so eager to stand before the Savior leaves behind his cane, his cloak and the demoralizing hushes from the crowd, does everything he can to get to Jesus more quickly. That’s the lesson of the blind man on the side of the road to Jericho for us.
All of us today have heard the call of Jesus to stand when He calls – to move into action when He desires us to do so. But how many times have we said in effect, “Wait until I have done this,” or “Wait until I finish that.” But Bartimaeus came like a shot when Jesus called. There are certain chances that come along in life that only happen once. Bartimaeus acted in faith and jumped on that one chance. Sometimes we have a wave of longing to abandon some habit, to purify life of some wrong thing – to give our life completely to the Lord. We may want to be better church attenders, be a more faithful reader of God’s Word in personal devotion. We might want to be better with having devotions with our family or just taking the time to talk to God in prayer. So very often we do not act on changing our lives or disciplining ourselves by putting priority number one on what Jesus gives to us – sight – the ability to see – like Bartimaeus. Why do we not jump up like a shot each time Jesus offers these gifts? Why are we willing to let the chance to receive His precious gifts offered here slip by?
Beloved in the Lord, Bartimaeus is our example in faith. May God grant you a blind man’s faith. I have seen the faith of a blind man – a blind woman actually. My Aunt Janice was blind. She wasn’t blind all her life. A rare disease took my aunt’s sight about 15 years ago. This disease would also ravage her body and eventually would kill her. She died about a year ago. My aunt could not see – yet she could see perfectly. We have to be aware that Jesus heals the blind. Not every time are the blind healed with sight on this side of eternity. Although my aunt was blind she could see. Her life was a testimony of a strong faith. I had often wished I had such a strong faith like my Aunt Janice. She could not see – but she could see.
The Lord does not make a distinction between healing us physically and healing us spiritually. My Aunt Janice could see – now she can see more than any of us. She sees with her eyes wide open in heaven. She sees the glory of heaven and all the angels. She sees now what we only hope to see. Did God give my Aunt Janice her sight? You better believe He did.
Seeing or not seeing with the eyes on the front of our head is really not important. Seeing or not seeing with the eyes of faith is what matters for each and every one of us. Beloved in the Lord, trust that the Lord will heal you. I don’t know if you will get any better by the doctor’s standard, but I know you have much more by the standard given by Christ for your life eternal. That’s what Bartimaeus had. He went from being an outcast to be being a follower. Without Christ, we are on the outside. With Christ, we have been given the means to follow a Savior who gives us the ability to see more than we could ever imagine.
On Wednesday we will begin to take a special journey like we have each and every year. Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent. We will be led by our Savior through Jericho, Bethphage and Bethany with our Savior. We will be led by our Lord, in a faith given by Him for you to the Mount of Olives just outside of Jerusalem. Then, we will see Him mount a donkey and enter triumphantly. We will see Him. We will be with Him when questions come and when the floggings start. In Lent we will be with our Lord and see the beatings He will take, the spit on His face and body, the purple garment they wrapped Him with to mock Him all the more. We will see the crown of thorns, the nails and the cross. We will be led through Lent, through Holy Week to see our Jesus bleeding as blood pours from His body while at the same time taking on every one of our sins upon Himself. We will see it – with our eyes of faith. We will see what we get by God’s precious gift.
We are getting closer. The blind man’s faith has given him sight. And so much more than sight – life. That’s what you have as well – whether you see well or you don’t see so well – you live by sight. You live by a faith that sees what has happened for you on the holy hill. You live by what Christ has done for you. Amen
The peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.