Jesus and his disciples reach Jericho, a fertile oasis at
the base of their climb toward Jerusalem. As they near the city, they hear
blind Bartimaeus cry out by the side of the road, “Jesus, Son of David, have
mercy on me!”
This is the only time in Mark’s gospel that anyone besides
our narrator has suggested Jesus might be a ruler. The Jewish people are
waiting and longing for their Messiah, who shall rise from King David’s line as
legitimate heir to the throne. The people wait and long for a king to defeat
their Roman occupiers.
Blind Bartimaeus can see. He can see Jesus is this Messiah
and calls out to him as king. The crowds begin to freak out. If any military
authorities hear this rabble, it could mean the end of them all, so they order
the blind man to hold his tongue. He begins screaming it uncontrollably, “Son
of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus calls Bartimaeus, who springs up and runs in his
direction.
“What would you like for me to do for you?”
It’s the same question Jesus asked of James and John. They
had answered by asking for honor and security. Bartimaeus answers in humility,
“My teacher, let me see again.”
Bartimaeus has already seen more than James and John. He
has already seen more than the crowd. He has already seen more than the
religious authorities and the Roman centurions.
Jesus declares that Bartimaeus has been made well by his
faith. Without so much as a finger laid upon him, his eyes are made whole.
Restored, seeing Bartimaeus follows Jesus on his way. They
are both headed to Jerusalem, to the suffering Jesus has predicted. Perhaps no
one realizes it but the two of them.
Text for the day:
Things to think
about:
We can ask Jesus for things that help heal the world,
including vision, wisdom, and peace.
Things to do:
Pray for the leaders of the world.
Jesus,
guide us all in ways of peace.
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