2015B 22 Pentecost Bartimaeus and Faith

The Rev. Nancy S. Streufert

25 October 2015 Christ Church

In contrast to the parables of Jesus, which are rich with meaning on multiple levels, the
Bartimaeus story is a little dry. At first glance it seems to be a straightforward healing story: a
beggar sitting on the side of the road is healed of his blindness by Jesus. Now what, I asked
myself, am I going to be able to talk about for more than 10 minutes on that?! Not having a
choice in the matter, I began my preparation to try to understand the story in a deeper way.
And in doing so I was richly rewarded by what I found.
Let me begin by saying that the story of Bartimaeus comes at an important turning point in the
overall framework of Marks gospel. And so, it will be helpful if we look at the story in the
context of this framework.
Roughly the first half of Marks gospel tells of Jesus public ministry in Galilee, his parables
about the Kingdom of God like the parable of the sower, his miracles like the feeding of the
5000 and his walking on the sea, his healing of the woman with the 12 year hemorrhage. This
part ends with the healing of an unnamed blind man (not our Bartimaeus) at Bethsaida in
Galilee, just before Jesus begins his journey toward Jerusalem. It is the blind healing that takes
place in two stages. At first the man sees dimly and the people around him look like trees. Then
Jesus completes the healing and his vision is fully restored. Up to this time in Mark, Jesus
identity as Son of God has been hinted at. But as the journey toward Jerusalem begins, Peter
makes his confession that Jesus is the Messiah. And it is during this journey toward Jerusalem
that Jesus begins to instruct his disciples of the necessity that he must suffer and die.
But they dont see things clearly, and perhaps Marks placement of the healing of the unnamed
blind man in stages was intended to foreshadow the partial blindness that remains in the
disciples. They dont grasp the part that Jesus must suffer. Three times Jesus predicts his
passion and death to disbelief among his followers. They believe he is the Messiah, but they
cant accept what he says about how he will suffer and die. And this is not surprising! They
expected a political leader, an earthly king who would restore the rule of Israel as in the glory
days of King David. This was their understanding of what the ancient prophets foretold. That
the longed-for Jewish Messiah would die a shameful death was so alien to them that it is no
wonder they were in disbelief.
When Jesus and the disciples get to Jericho, the last major stop before they will enter
Jerusalem, Jesus heals another blind man, Bartimaeus, from our reading today. Jericho is
another turning point in Marks framework because Jesus will next enter Jerusalem and begin
his journey to the cross.
So within the period of movement of Jesus and his followers between Galilee and Jericho is a
crucial development in the understanding, or I should say misunderstanding of Jesus disciples
about what it means to follow Jesus as Messiah. It is bracketed by two stories about healing
blindness.
It is during this journey to Jericho that the disciples have failed to fully understand the meaning
of what they are being called to do in following Jesus as Messiah. You might say they were at
least partially blind by their own preconceived notions about what a Messiah was to be.
So now we are ready to go more deeply into the story of Bartimaeus who is sitting by the road
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2015B 22 Pentecost Bartimaeus and Faith

The Rev. Nancy S. Streufert
25 October 2015 Christ Church

as Jesus and his disciples are leaving Jericho. He learns that Jesus of Nazareth is in the crowd
and calls out to him, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Jesus stops. He stood still. He
tells the disciples to call him over. He asks Bartimaeus what he wants him to do for him. The
blind man says he wants to see again. Your faith has made you well, Jesus tells him, and to go.
But Bartimaeus follows Jesus instead.
Jesus had healed others previously, but they were not named. Not only was Bartimaeus named,
but his father Timaeus was named as well. What could the significance be? In ancient times, it
was believed that punishment for sins of parents would carry on to their children. Bartimaeus
blindness was caused by the sins of his father, people would assume. I imagine they must have
known his father and what he had done. Which made his healing all the more surprising.
Jesus tells his disciples to call Bartimaeus. There is a double meaning here. Not only is
Bartimaeus being summoned over to him, he is being called by God for a purpose related to the
salvation of those who would witness his manifestation of faith. There was a large crowd
present. Bartimaeus was blind and then he could see. The people, the disciples must have been
astonished! Could the sins of his father be overcome by faith?
In last weeks reading, James and John ask Jesus to grant them positions of glory and honor
when he comes into his kingdom. What does Bartimaeus ask Jesus for? He asks Jesus for mercy.
The contrast is striking.
And so I think the real story of Bartimaeus is more about the spiritual blindness of the disciples
and less about Jesus power to heal a physical ailment. It is about overcoming spiritual
blindness by faith.
Notice that Jesus doesnt just heal Bartimaeus, he asks first, What do you want me to do for
you? It is a gracious request. Jesus knows our needs, but waits for us to articulate them.
Your faith has made you well, Jesus told him. Faith in what? Faith that Jesus could heal him?
Faith that he is the king descended from David? Faith that in following Jesus he would have
eternal life? Did Bartimaeus have more faith than Jesus disciples? We dont know, but there is
certainly an element of trust in Jesus not so present with the disciples about who Jesus is.
Bartimaeus shows his understanding of who Jesus is not just a healer, but one who is
merciful.
As I said before, I think this story is more about the faith of Bartimaeus. I think Jesus called
Bartimaeus and healed him of his blindness as a powerful witness to his disciples what
unabashed faith looks like.
What did physical blindness mean for Bartimaeus? Living in the dark, utterly reliant on the
support of others, pitied, relegated to panhandling to scratch out a living. What are the effects
on those who are spiritually blind? Living in the dark, groping through life, unable to see
purpose and meaning in their lives.
John Newton, who wrote the words to Amazing Grace probably knew about spiritual
blindness. You probably know his story. Once the captain of a slave ship, he came to see the
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2015B 22 Pentecost Bartimaeus and Faith

The Rev. Nancy S. Streufert
25 October 2015 Christ Church

slave trade as not only unlawful and wrong, but as an abomination against the will of God.
The hymns universal message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of sins
committed through the mercy of God makes it a perfect illustration for the story of Bartimaeus.
Our worship committee selects the hymns we sing on Sundays weeks and even months in
advance. So I had forgotten that the offertory hymn for today is none other than Amazing
Grace. The hymn had come to my mind earlier in the week as I was reflecting on Bartimaeus.
That it would be sung today is not a coincidence. Its how God works.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
Do you suffer from spiritual blindness? Have faith. Ask Jesus for mercy. Your faith will make
you well.