Pentecost 21

Sermon for Hope Episcopal Church
The Reverend Martha Frances
Year B, Pentecost 21, Proper 25
29 October 2006

Text: Mark 10: 46-52
Other Readings: Isaiah 59: [1-4] 9-19; Psalm 13; Hebrews 5:12-6:1, 9-12

Jesus asked the blind beggar Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” Last week, Jesus used the same words as he asked James & John, “What do you want me to do for you? In today’s Gospel, Jesus encounters a blind man, & we would think he would know what Bartimaeus needs from him, yet he doesn’t presume. He asks. Jesus acknowledges Bartimaeus’ dignity as an adult human being to speak for himself. Many of you know my opera buddy Ronnie who is also blind. We’ve been going to the opera together for many years. He travels across town alone by bus to the VA Hospital where he has worked ever since college. He has visited South American & skied in Colorado. He once found my car in the Astrodome parking lot when I was hopelessly lost—he has a memory like a steel trap. Yet when we go to dinner, the server invariably asks me what Ronnie wants to eat. How should I know? Ronnie is quite capable of ordering his own dinner.

Jesus respects our capability by entering our lives like a gentleman—by invitation, asking to be received. This morning, at the end of October 2006, Jesus is asking you & me, “What do you want me to do for you?” What is your answer today to Jesus’ question?

This healing story is Mark’s last story before he begins relating Jesus’ passion. Indeed, Jesus & his disciples are already on their way to Jerusalem. “On his way to Jerusalem” is Mark’s shorthand for Jesus’ journey to death on a cross. Jesus is well-known by now, having preached & taught & performed miracles for 3 years. He has collected quite a following—not only his disciples but also a large crowd. He’s popular, & he’s busy.

When Bartimaeus cries out to Jesus, the crowd tries to silence him—he’s far too important for this no-count beggar. But Bartimaeus is persistent: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, can see what the other followers are too blind to see: he calls Jesus “Son of David.” Not even the disciples have eyes to see that Jesus is Messiah. Last week James & John thought they would have special positions in Jesus’ kingdom. They were too blind to see what it meant for Jesus to be the Messiah.

Bartimaeus doesn’t ask for a special position. He only asks that Jesus have mercy, have compassion on him. He trusts that Jesus has the power to heal him. Bartimaeus knows that he has nothing to bring to Jesus except his brokenness, his blindness. He calls out, & Jesus calls the blind man to him.

Remember the stories of Jesus’ calling of the disciples? This is not just a healing story but also another call story. Jesus stops in his tracks & says, “Call him here.” The crowd then rushes to cooperate with Jesus. “Hurry up, Bartimaeus; don’t keep the master waiting!” He jumps up, throws off his cloak, & hurries to Jesus. Bartimaeus throws off that which holds him back—his cloak which is also his protection, because he trusts Jesus.

We here in the church sometimes assume that others know what we want or need. I sometimes find out after-the-fact that a parishioner has been in the hospital. As I have been reminded again with Bill’s death, most people yearn to help out if we can just let them know what would be helpful. I’m getting lots of practical help with my upcoming move, yet I have to admit I’m a little uncomfortable asking for that help. None of us wants to be beholden or a bother, yet our acceptance of help is often a gift to the other person.

Several weeks ago, we heard about the rich young man who said he wanted eternal life, but when Jesus told him to get rid of what held him back, he went away sorrowful. The rich young man couldn’t let go of his cloak—his protection, his wealth—could he?

Bartimaeus, on the other hand, comes to Jesus eagerly & answers, “Let me see again.” Bartimaeus doesn’t hesitate. He knows that Jesus can heal him. Bartimaeus can already see better than many who are not blind. Jesus declares that Bartimaeus’ own faith has healed him. He regains his sight “immediately.” Do you hear the urgency in this story? When he can see again, what does he do? He doesn’t hesitate to follow Jesus, “on the way.” “The Way” was the first name given to the Christian movement after Jesus’ death, long before his followers were called Christians.

Perhaps Jesus is asking you this morning, “What do you want me to do for you today?” No matter how long you have followed Jesus “on the way,” this journey with Jesus requires repetitive letting go as we continue to respond to Jesus’ call to discipleship. Bartimaeus apparently became a disciple known to Mark’s church. His life changed radically as a result of Jesus’ healing him, of that we can be sure.

First, a seeing man was expected to earn his own way, to take on responsibilities not expected of a blind man. Because of his keen insight, he likely became a leader in the Christian community. It was dangerous to be a designated leader of Jesus’ followers. Tradition says all of Jesus’ 12 closest disciples save John the beloved were martyred for their faith. How many more died violently on “the way” they had chosen with Jesus? We don’t know if Bartimaeus was also a martyr, but his life as a disciple was radically different & surely more dangerous.

What cloak of protection do you still wear in your journey with Jesus? I like the image of shedding a coat because most of us have layers of protection we have to shed one at a time. As we are emphasizing this week in our stewardship campaign, the habits of daily prayer & lifelong spiritual study help us discern what the next layer is we need to peel off. Participating in a group for prayer & study supports us in our growth in faith.

What have you been too blind to see thus far in your life? Are you too comfortable in your blindness to reach out for healing for Jesus to open your eyes to areas you haven’t had faith to follow him? No one can answer that question for you, but a hint might be whatever it is that comes to your mind but you try to dismiss quickly. May you mull over the question this week.

Remember, the question is not what we can do on our own; the question is what we want Jesus to do for us. How are we willing for Jesus to strengthen us & prepare us to do? Although we’ve certainly had challenges in joining our 2 churches, who would have thought we would become one community this soon? Our Halloween Carnival yesterday couldn’t have happened without many folks working together. Yes, we still have kinks to work out, but perhaps those are the areas we need to study about & pray for as we make our stewardship commitment this fall & honor it through the next year. Much still needs to be done in order for Hope accomplish what Jesus is calling us to do under the guidance & strength of the Holy Spirit. Jesus doesn’t expect us to operate alone. Jesus doesn’t say, “What do you want to do?” Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” May the people of Hope respond ever more faithfully to Jesus’ overture.