Mark 10:36-52

Mark 10:46-52

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.



This is the 2nd time Jesus has asked the question “What do you want me to do for you?” the first time is 10 verses earlier to James and John who knowing what they are asking for, ask to sit at Jesus’ right and left hand. Bartimaeus knows exactly what he wants.

What do you want me to do for you is a powerful question. I had this question asked of me by a Westminster member a couple Sundays ago. I, unlike Bartimaeus, was speechless. I was being served by the Christ in this member, but was unable or unwilling to throw off my cloak and meet Christ with a clear answer.

Bartimaeus jumps up and throws off his cloak. Most likely his only possession, and leaves it by the side of the road. The cloak would slow him down in trying to get to the Son of David, who has stopped and called him.

We all have cloaks, things that protects us, clothe us, give us our identity and possibly hinder us. Are we willing to leave them by the roadside because Jesus calls? Or does the cloak help us hide from ourselves? If we keep the cloak on we see Jesus from the roadside, but are not face-to face and we are not asked the question. We don’t have to examine ourselves for the answer to “What do you want me to do for you?”

It is often easier to let ourselves get lost in the crowd, hiding under our cloak. Seeing Jesus but not coming face-to-face. Hoping that the status quo will not change. But not Bartimaeus. He hears that Jesus is passing by and he so desires to come face to face, he will not be deterred. The crowd tells him to be silent, but he raises his plea once again.

May we have the persistence and the desire of Bartimaeus. May we so long to meet Jesus face to face that nothing will deter us, and when the chance comes, may we heed the call, spring up, throw off all that hinders us and have a clear picture of the thing we want more than anything else. That way when Jesus asks the question “What do you want me to do for you?” we know in our answer in our heart of hearts that our faith may make us well and we too will follow Jesus along the road.

Dealing with Hard Times

Dear Fellow Followers of the Way,

The news has not been good. The economic situation in the country has continued to slide, businesses are continuing to need to be bailed out, and our church budget issues are all pressing issues. These are issues with no easy answers. As the news continues to be bad, more tragedies begin to surface.

Last week a father, after losing his job, killed his wife and five children before killing himself. In his faxed note, he says that he and his wife saw no reason to live. In the news reports as they spoke with neighbors, the neighbors were shocked. They knew Ervin Lupoe as a loving father and one neighbor spoke of being invited over for dinner and Lupoe recommending a builder for them. The neighbors never knew that anything was wrong.

Have we become so good at presenting a façade that all is well, that no one knows what is really going on in our lives? Have we separated ourselves from others so that we live on our own little islands? We ask how people are doing hoping that they respond with the socially appropriate answer “fine.” We are exchanging pleasantries, not really asking a question. Would this family of seven still be alive if people had stopped to really check in? Would that be enough to help them maintain hope?

So what are we the church called to do in times like this? I believe we need to remind people that we have a God who is faithful and is in the midst of our agony. When hearts break, God’s is the first one broken. This is a time to be joined in prayer and a time to be reconnected to the family of God by being in church. Check in with the people you know, really talk to them and find out how things are going. And remember, that God is faithful and will make a way where there is no way.

Grace, Mercy, and Peace,
Karen


A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.