Saturday, the Fifth Week of Lent

Mark 10:46-52

 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

It is rare in the Gospels, especially in Mark, for the name of one of bit-players to be given.  Just think of all the stories of Jesus' miracles we have.  What do we call those healed: The man born blind, the woman with the flow of blood, the widow of Nain's son, the Canaanite woman's daughter, the Centurion's servant.  They are nameless in the account, so we identify them however we can, by their condition, by a relationship.  But here, in Jericho, we meet an exception, Blind Bartimeus. 

This short little story is unique and important for several reasons.  It's the last miracle recorded in Mark, it's the last story before the Passion.  We see Jesus declared "Son of David", we hear the beautiful words "Your faith has made you well."  But to me this story has always stood out, simply because its gives the man's name, Bartimeus. 

It is hard to say why Mark decided to record this miracle-recipient's name when he had neglected to do so so many times before.  For some reason, this man stands out.  It's not good preaching to try to read the original author's thoughts beyond what the text says, so I'm not going to guess why Bartimeus was special to Mark.  I can tell you why he stands out to me, why, if I were writing this story, I might have made note of this particular man's name.

It's not that he came to Jesus to be healed, many did that.  It's not that he demonstrated great faith, many did that.  It could be because he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me."  That is the quintessential prayer, isn't it?  It's really what all of our prayers boil down to.  But there's something even more to Bartimeus.  I like the way that he leaps up, leaving his cloak, running (stumbling I'm sure) to Jesus.  But that's not it either.  You see, he had great faith which caused him to respond to Jesus with humility and enthusiasm, he was healed, and then he did the truly remarkable thing: "He followed him on the way." 

For this reason he stands out in stark contrast to the other's around Jesus.  We just read about the Rich Young Ruler, who "lacked one thing" but turned from Jesus.  Then we read about the disciples who, indeed follow Jesus, but they were also jockeying for position and arguing over status. 

Bartimeus has nothing, and asks only for his sight, really not an unreasonable request, and upon receiving it, he uses it for one purpose: to follow Jesus.  

And it's not just to anywhere that Bartimeus is following Jesus.   This story mark's the end of Jesus' life as an itinerant preacher and healer.  The very next words in the text are "Now when they drew near to Jerusalem..."  Bartimeus follows Jesus directly into the Passion.  

That's what makes him so special, because he does what we're all called to do: Have faith, cry out for mercy, leap up at Jesus' call, leave all we have behind us, receive Jesus' healing, and follow him on the way which leads to Calvary.

As we embark once again, to relive our Lord's passion, let us remember Blind Bartimeus, and seek to be like him.  Let us pray that this week, we, like him, will receive new sight, and use it only to follow Jesus along the way.