I must confess that in 8 years of regular preaching, I have not ever preached this story of Bartimaeus. In most years, this Sunday’s lectionary texts are replaced by the readings for Reformation. But, because of how the calendar falls this year, we’ll read the Reformation texts next Sunday, on Reformation Day itself.
But as I studied the Gospel text for this week, I found myself wishing that these were, in fact, the texts we would hear in our celebration of Reformation, and especially that they were the texts we would hear as we confirm four students next Sunday.
Why? Because while this story seems at face value to be a healing story, it’s also a story about a living and active faith, and about the call we receive from God. Perfect, in other words, for a day when we remember and celebrate the core Lutheran tenets of grace alone, faith alone, and word alone. Perfect, also, for the day we celebrate the living and active faith nurtured in our young people from the time of their baptism until now.
But, alas, it’s not Reformation Sunday, and our Confirmation students won’t be coming forward to affirm their baptism until next week. Even so, we have much to hear in this story about God’s call and the hallmarks of a living, active faith.
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| Rupnik, Marko Ivan. Jesus Healing the Blind Man, from Art in the Christian Tradition |
Thus far in the Gospel of Mark we’ve encountered many instances where people seem to miss the point of what Jesus is teaching and preaching. There are the religious leaders, who seem to care more about properly observing the sabbath laws than they do about people in need. Then there are the disciples - oh, the disciples! - who argue with one another about greatness, and ask for special favors. The disciples, who try to block children from seeing Jesus, and who don’t seem to grasp what Jesus is saying about what awaits him in Jerusalem.
In some ways, then, it seems like the person who sees and understands Jesus and his mission best thus far in Mark is Bartimaeus! The main character in today’s gospel reading, he is blind, and poor, and on the margins.
Though Bartimaeus is blind, he has heard the buzz about Jesus. I imagine that Jesus had been healing and teaching while visiting the city of Jericho, and perhaps Bartimaeus caught snippets of the excited conversations of those who passed him on their way in and out of the city gates. Though he had little to go on, Bartimaeus called out when he realized that this same Jesus was passing by - this same Jesus, who he heard was powerful, and who he knew could heal. “Jesus, Son of David,” he cries out, “have mercy on me!”
The crowds, though, are embarrassed, or uncomfortable, so they sternly order Bartimaeus to be quiet. Like the disciples turning away the children, who were of low status and little importance, the crowds try to keep this blind beggar from bothering Jesus. But, despite their efforts, Bartimaeus is not silenced - and Jesus hears him, and responds.
When Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus asks about his most immediate need - not riches, or status, or special privileges, but simply, “My teacher, let me see again.” And he does.
Jesus tells Bartimaeus that it is his faith that has made him well - that his faith has saved him. This faith, though, is not about correctly reciting the doctrines of the Church, or believing the right things. Instead, the faith that Jesus lifts up is Bartimaeus’ trust. Bartimaeus trusted that Jesus was indeed the Son of David, who could and would make him whole and lead him on the way. In Bartimaeus’s actions, we witness the example of a living, active faith.
We, too, have received this faith. In the waters of baptism, we received the Holy Spirit. And as we hear in the Small Catechism, we believe in and follow Jesus not by our own understanding or strength, but because this same Holy Spirit has called us through the gospel, enlightened us with her gifts, made us holy, and kept us in the true faith. This Holy Spirit accompanies us always - she is with us in times of need; with us when we cry out to God; with us when we find ourselves silenced, or when we try to silence others; with us as we are called to come and follow.
As we seek healing and wholeness in so many ways, we trust that Jesus hears our cries and responds. Take heart; get up, he is calling you!
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